Pontiac Community Foundation Named Among Finalists for Impact100 Metro Detroit’s 2021 Big Give

METRO DETROIT – Pontiac Community Foundation has been named among five finalists to receive one of two $100,000 grants or a portion of $81,000 to be awarded by Impact100 Metro Detroit during its annual Big Give on May 18 at 5pm. Pontiac Community Foundation joins other finalists, Living Arts, Midnight Golf Program, Lighthouse, Health Emergency, and Lifeline Program, consideration for the grants. 

“We’re thrilled to include Pontiac Community Foundation among our finalists for this year’s Big Give – our biggest give to date since our chapter’s inception,” said Kelly Walsh, president of Impact100 Metro Detroit. “We were really impressed and inspired by the proposals we received this year, and choosing our finalists was no easy task. We know these grant dollars will be transformational for the incredible work these nonprofit heroes are doing in our communities.”

In early February, local nonprofits submitted grant applications in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. Impact 100 Metro Detroit members vetted each qualifying proposal, including conducting financial reviews and virtual site visits. Before the May 18 event, each nonprofit finalist will present their transformational grant proposal to Impact100 Metro Detroit members, who will then vote for their top finalist. The winners will be revealed during the event. 

Pontiac Community Foundation is dedicated to building a brighter future for Pontiac by engaging philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration to tackle Pontiac’s most pressing issues. 

For decades, Pontiac residents have dealt with inadequate public spaces for families and individuals to enjoy. Specifically, Pontiac parks have been poorly maintained and experienced an increase in blight after the city’s 2009 bankruptcy. Pontiac Community Foundation aims to create a state-of-the-art park at Mattie McKinney Hatchett Park. The park, named after a local community legend, will serve as a catalyst for future projects throughout the city. 

“We know that access to recreational activities and spaces enables a healthier quality of life. Mattie McKinney Hatchett park is the beginning of the long-awaited park and public space revitalization in Pontiac. We are excited to see this restoration, which includes new playground equipment, a walking path, and replacements of all seating, courts, and gathering spaces.” said Dustin McClellan, founder, and CEO of Pontiac Community Foundation. “If funded, we will also utilize this funding to expand PCF’s Open Streets Program throughout the community, bringing youth and families together to play and connect during the summer months.” 

Impact100 Metro Detroit was founded in 2016 with a mission to fuel transformation in Metro Detroit by uniting women to support local nonprofit heroes and award high-impact grants. Each year, members donate $1,000 toward a collective grant of $100,000, which is awarded to the nonprofit finalist(s) who receive the most member votes. Across the country, Impact100 organizations empower women as philanthropists to pool their resources and deliver a greater impact to their community. Impact100 Metro Detroit was the first such group in Michigan and has experienced exponential growth in the last five years, awarding more than $860,000 in grants since its inception.

This year’s Big Give event will be held live on May 18, 2022 from 5-7:30pm at the International Banquet and Convention Center in Detroit. Registration is $50. Registrations to attend must be submitted by May 1, 2022. For more information, visit www.impact100metrodetroit.org.