The WELL Fund

Introducing the WELL Fund!

 

Applications for the WELL Fund closed on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 5PM ET.

To all of the folks who took the time to apply for a WELL Fund grant — thank you! We received over 50 applications representing beautiful visions for organizational wellbeing, capacity building, and the wellness of youth in Detroit. 
 
Over the next few months, the WELL Fund selection committee, a group of partners from the community, will be eagerly reviewing and scoring applications. If you applied, you can expect to receive a resource guide that includes other grant opportunities and resources for organizational and community care.
Learn more about upcoming grant opportunities and community resources by signing up for our newsletter!

About the WELL Fund

The WELL Fund supports BIPOC-led nonprofits who serve Detroit youth. With direct grants of up to $75,000, the WELL Fund provides general operating funding, technical assistance and capacity building, as well as leadership development and support for wellness activities. The WELL Fund is a grant program that supports BIPOC-led nonprofits who serve Detroit youth (ages 5-24).

Co.act Detroit administers the fund, which was shaped through a community-centered and participatory strategy. The WELL Fund is supported by The Skillman Foundation.

What does the WELL Fund support?

The fund will provide direct grants of up to $75,000 to approximately five organizations. Funds may be used for:

General operating expenses

The day-to-day costs of running the organization such as covering payroll and rent

Individual staff or organizational capacity building

A self-defined and self-driven process of developing and strengthening the skills, instincts, abilities, processes, and resources that organizations and communities need to survive, adapt, and thrive

Support for wellness activities

Programs and activities to improve overall mental, physical, and social emotional wellness of young people, young adults or staff and community

Who can apply for a WELL Fund grant?

Nonprofit organizations that meet all of the following criteria:

 

    • Primarily serve Detroit youth ages 5-24 years old
    • Are located in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park
    • Are BIPOC-led, as defined by:
        • Executive Director/CEO identifies as BIPOC
        • 51% or more of staff (full and part time) identifies as BIPOC
        • 51% or more of board or advisory members identify as BIPOC
    • Have annual revenue that does not exceed $300,000
    • Have two or more full-time staff members

Who can not apply for WELL Fund grants?

  • Individuals
  • Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran status
  • Organizations that require membership in certain religions or advance a particular religious faith. Faith-based organizations may be eligible if they welcome and serve all members of the community regardless of religious belief and meet all other eligibility criteria
  • For-profit organizations or organizations operated to benefit for-profit organizations
  • Public entities including city departments and quasi-governmental organizations (businesses within or under government entities
  • Academic institutions that concentrate primarily on degree-granting activities. Academic institutions may be eligible if they provide other programs beyond primarily degree-granting, instructional activities that serve a broader community and meet all other eligibility criteria
    • Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) schools are not eligible to apply, but nonprofit schools are eligible to apply if they meet all other eligibility criteria.

Who decides which organizations get funded?

A diverse and representative committee including Detroit youth, Co.act Detroit and Skillman Foundation staff, and other community stakeholders will make decisions about which organizations are funded. 

        Applying

        Applying

        Applications for the WELL Fund closed on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

        If you applied, you can expect to receive a resource guide that includes other grant opportunities and resources for organizational and community care.

         
        You can also expect to hear from the WELL Fund team in early summer 2023 — whether or not your application has been accepted.
         
        Learn more about upcoming grant opportunities and community resources by signing up for our newsletter!

        Virtual Information Session

        To learn more about the WELL Fund, watch a recording of our virtual information session! The WELL Fund team provided an overview of the grant program, information on who can apply, and a breakdown of the application process.

        Program Documents