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 […]
Commitment to Community Service: Red Hawk NEST EGG CSA Program Achieves 100% Participation Rate for 2022-23 School Year
The Red Hawk NEST EGG program has figured out a way to speed up the reciprocal benefit of its CSA program, while also achieving an impressive 100% student participation rate during the 2022-23 school year.
Legislative Leaders Introduce Rate Cap Bill Targeting Triple-digit Interest Loans in Michigan
Policy Director Jessica AcMoody speaks in support of the bills at a press conference announcing the rate cap legislation
Meet CEDAM’s newest team members supporting our AmeriCorps program
Introduction It’s an exciting time for CEDAM’s AmeriCorps program! Last month, we not only onboarded 23 new AmeriCorps members who are serving at CEDAM member organizations across the state, but […]
Engaging Students Early: LEAF Plans Creative Youth CSA Programming
When it comes to promoting Children’s Savings Account (CSA) programs, buy-in from parents and guardians is priceless. That said, if the topic of saving and planning for the future isn’t […]
Impact Through Trust: KickStart to Career Muskegon County Launches Ambassadorship Program with Innovative Project Grant Support
With both students and their families, educators have earned a great deal of trust. Parents rely on these individuals to not only impart academic knowledge on students, but also to […]
CEDAM Staff, Members appointed to workgroups on Governor’s Growing Michigan Together Council
In June 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer established the Growing Michigan Together Council to develop a long-term vision that addresses Michigan’s current and future challenges and sets up Michigan for success in the […]
When the families of young children are encouraged to think about their child’s financial future, a ripple effect of inspiration travels through the community. As a result, it becomes easier […]
SEEDing for College Partners with Nonprofits to Drive Wayne Metro Children’s Savings Account Program
The SEEDing for College program has developed strong roots in its first year — and the program is paving the way with an especially unique program model. Instead of partnering […]
CONTACT:Jessica AcMoody, Policy DirectorPhone: 517.485.3588 x 1944 Email: acmoody@cedamichigan.org Community Economic Development field wins big with significant program investments LANSING, MI— Yesterday, the Michigan State Legislature passed a $81.7 billion […]
CEDAM to pilot “Summer Fridays”
Recently, CEDAM undertook a strategic planning process that asked us to identify our values and behaviors. We examined our work and ways of being through the lens of dismantling white […]
CEDAM Announces $200k in Children’s Savings Account Innovative Project Grants, Partners with University of Michigan to Track Impact
CONTACT: Brian Rakovitis517.485.3588 (ext. 1942)rakovitis@cedamichigan.org LANSING, MI — The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) today announced the recipients of its 2023 Children’s Savings Account (CSA) Innovative Project Grants. […]
$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) […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
What Economic Security Should Mean in an American Context
This post was originally published by the University of Michigan Center Center on Assets, Education, and Inclusion. Guest Author: Professor William Elliott, University of Michigan Economic security requires both income […]
CEDAM’s 15-month Community Development Fellowship places individuals in communities across Michigan engaged or certified in the Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) program. The fellows assist with a wide range of projects […]
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 […]
Meet CEDAM’s new executive assistant, Rebekah Cathey
One of CEDAM’s newest team members, Rebekah Cathey joins us as our executive assistant. We sat down with Rebekah to learn more about her past experiences and what she’s most […]
One of CEDAM’s newest team members, Shate’ja Curry, joins us as our AmeriCorps and fellowship program coordinator. We sat down with Shate’ja to learn more about her past experiences and […]
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 […]
CEDAM’s AmeriCorps applications are now open! This year, we’re looking for 25 AmeriCorps members to serve at nonprofit organizations statewide. For those interested in nonprofits and community development, this is […]
CEDAM’s Policy Priorities Receive Massive Funding from the State. Senate Bill 565, a bipartisan infrastructure bill of $4.7 billion, was passed by the Michigan Legislature. It moves to the Governor’s desk.
Expand your reach by becoming a CEDAM AmeriCorps host site
In the community development space, our work is never done. There is always more we could do: more projects we could take on, more groups with which we could collaborate, […]
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 […]
CEDAM receives $100,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation
The grant will help CEDAM connect Michiganders to critical financial resources and services Lansing, MI – The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) has received a $100,000 grant from […]
Meet Shaniqua Gibson, CEDAM’s program coordinator
One of CEDAM’s newest team members is Shaniqua Gibson, who joins us as a program coordinator. We sat down with Shaniqua to learn more about her past experience and what’s […]
One of CEDAM’s newest team members is Andrea Villanueva, who joins us as an AmeriCorps program manager. We sat down with Andrea to learn more about her past experience and […]
On September 22, 2021, the Michigan legislature passed the almost $70 billion 2021-22 state budget with bipartisan support. Among community development resources for community revitalization, placemaking, and workforce development, CEDAM […]
CEDAM members are uniquely positioned to support the Governor’s MI New Economy Plan
CEDAM knows Michigan cannot achieve a prosperous, equitable economy without investments in core assets like housing and broadband. As we work to recover from the COVID-19 global pandemic, significant investments […]
CEDAM Awards 2021 Gene Kuthy Award to Robert Donohue Jr. of the Michigan Downtown Association
The Gene Kuthy Award honors an exemplary board member serving at a community development organization in Michigan September 14, 2021—The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) is pleased to […]
CEDAM Awards 2021 Leader of the Year Award to Chanell Scott Contreras of ProsperUs
The Leader of the Year Award honors an exemplary CEDAM member engaged in innovative and impactful programming September 15, 2021—The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) is pleased to […]
CEDAM AmeriCorps host site Community Housing Network collaborates to combat homelessness
With an extreme shortage of affordable housing across Michigan, CEDAM AmeriCorps members are playing a vital role for host organizations like Community Housing Network (CHN). CHN serves Oakland and Macomb […]
How Gov. Whitmer’s $100 million MHCDF funding proposal could expand affordable housing and shape Michigan’s economy
Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced her proposal to allocate $100 million for the Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund (MHCDF). These funds would be used for rental housing, rehabs, home […]
When it comes to building strong communities, every person has potential to make a big difference. CEDAM’s Community Development Fellowship places individuals in communities across Michigan that are engaged or certified […]
Using Children’s Savings Accounts for Economic Inclusion: A Q&A with Bonnie Gettys, Rep. Julie Calley and Jessica AcMoody
At CEDAM, one of our current policy priorities is to secure statewide funding for Children’s Savings Accounts (CSAs), which are community-led programs that automatically enroll students in interest-bearing accounts that […]
In our first Summer of CEDAM webinar, we had the opportunity to discuss how community economic development can be used to uplift Michigan communities as we emerge from the COVID-19 […]
Over the past few years, Children’s Savings Accounts (CSA) programs have been increasing in popularity across Michigan. These initiatives have been proven to strengthen inter-generational financial stability and increase the […]
The organization’s July 12 webinar will host a state representative and foundation leader to discuss firsthand experience with Children’s Savings Account programs in Michigan. LANSING — The Community Economic Development […]
At the end of the day, community economic development (CED) is about equity. The idea of “community” goes far beyond the residential block — communities set the stage for residents, […]
Bevertone Anyonga has been CEDAM’s program coordinator for just over a year. His journey into the community economic development field, however, started around six years ago in Kenya. For our […]