Introducing: The CSA Innovative Grant Project
We are proud to announce the recipients of CEDAM’s Children’s Savings Account (CSA) Innovative Project Grants! In partnership with the Michigan Poverty Task Force, CEDAM has awarded four Michigan CSA programs up to $50,000 each to implement projects that will enhance program impact and advance the state’s CSA field. All projects were required to relate […]
$100,000 Consumers Energy Foundation Grant supports CEDAM’s Economic Inclusion Work
As tax season kicks off, this grant is supporting meaningful initiatives to help more than 100,000 Michiganders build wealth. Lansing, MI – The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) has received a $100,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation supporting CEDAM’s economic inclusion initiatives across Michigan. As tax season kicks off, CEDAM’s multi-pronged approach […]
Kicking Off 2023: NFL Player Shows Support for M&M Area Community Foundation’s Future Fund
What does an Upper Peninsula foundation and Green Bay Packers all-time leading scorer Mason Crosby have in common? Well, for one, both are supporters of Children’s Savings Accounts (CSAs). Earlier this month, the M&M Area Community Foundation (MMACF), one of the Michigan CSA Network’s members, released a video shoutout from Green Bay Packers kicker Mason […]
LEAF Student Art Exhibit Asks the Right Questions
Lapeer County Children’s Savings Account Program Puts Dreams on Display with Student Art Exhibit “What do you want to be when you grow up?” A new art exhibit led by the Lapeer County Educational Attainment Fund (LEAF), a Michigan Children’s Savings Account Network program, puts the answer to that age-old question on display. As a […]
Fellow Feature: First annual Cultivating Community series celebrates Coldwater’s diversity
Written by Katie Higgs, CEDAM Community Development Fellow I moved to Coldwater from Chicago, landing my position as a community development fellow in 2021. As part of my orientation, I read documents and met with community leaders to truly get acclimated with the town. I was alerted to a recurring theme as part of past […]
Battle Creek Community Foundation Soft-Launches Area’s First Children’s Savings Account Program
The eve of launch day for a new Children’s Savings Account (CSA) program feels a little bit like the night before a holiday. The handouts are prepped, the partnerships have been established, and countless hours of planning led to this point. Now, all there is to do is translate that preparation into action. For the […]
Manistee’s Commitment to Housing: Former Fellow Lissette Reyes Discusses Their Journey
By Dominic Cippola, CEDAM In order for a community development project to succeed, a lot must happen behind the scenes. In the case of Manistee, Lissette Reyes shares what it was like to be one of the drivers behind the advancement of the city’s housing awareness efforts. I virtually sat down with Reyes, a member […]
Meet our new economic inclusion program coordinator, Magdalena S. Rivera
One of CEDAM’s newest team members, Magdalena “Maggi” Rivera (she/ella) joins us as our economic inclusion program coordinator. We sat down with Maggi to learn more about her past experiences and what she’s most excited about in this new role! Can you give me a brief overview of your professional background and how it led […]
Get to Know the Building Michigan Together Plan: The Housing and Community Development Fund
In March 2022, the Michigan legislature passed the Building Michigan Together Plan (Senate Bill 565): a $4.6 billion bipartisan bill that will offer substantial investments in the state’s infrastructure, including water, housing, roads, internet access, and parks. This is a historic accomplishment and will pose the opportunity for organizations across the state to advance equity-driven […]
EITC Awareness Day: Renewed bipartisan support for State expansion
Authors: Brian Rakovitis & Madeleine March-Meenagh Today marks the 16th annual Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) awareness day. On this day, the IRS calls upon organizations across the country to raise awareness about this crucial federal tax credit. As we bring attention to the federal EITC, we want to raise awareness about Michigan’s own state […]