The Kresge Foundation’s Leadership and Infrastructure Funding Team (LIFT) is a 13-person, cross-departmental committee comprising program, practice and operational staff. Our grantmaking is dedicated to supporting the talent and leadership development needs of our grantees and sector-wide capacity-building.

Talent and Leadership Development

One of the many ways Kresge seeks to expand opportunities in America’s cities for people with low incomes is by offering leadership development programs to our grantee partners. Our goal is to enhance the effectiveness of individual leaders and organizations to better solve local problems in cities where they work.

LIFT offers two signature programs to grantees:

• Fostering Urban Equitable Leadership (FUEL): Kresge launched the FUEL program in 2016 in partnership with Community Wealth Partners with a specific focus on racial equity to address grantees’ talent and leadership development needs. Learn more about the program and its service providers.
• ProInspire Leadership Institute: ProInspire, a nonprofit dedicated to developing social-sector leaders at all levels, provides leadership development training for a diverse group of rising leaders within Kresge’s partner organizations. Learn more.

Both programs represent Kresge’s commitment to support pivotal organizations working to effect lasting change in U.S. cities.

Sector Infrastructure and Memberships

LIFT makes a limited number of grants each year by invitation to support the field of nonprofit leadership development and to strengthen diversity in the field. The team also also works to strengthens engagement with membership associations such as the Council on Foundations, Council of Michigan Foundations and Independent Sector, as well as philanthropic affinity groups including the Association of Black Foundation Executives, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy and the Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities. We also support key nonprofit and philanthropic infrastructure organizations, such as the National Council of Nonprofits, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy and the Center for Effective Philanthropy.