Why Fresno, Memphis & New Orleans?

Detroit, our hometown, and New Orleans share stories of community resilience – the capacity of communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and disinvestment. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina proved a galvanizing moment for our work in New Orleans. We increased our support for the city and its people and responded strategically to bolster the city’s recovery. The result was more than $12 million dedicated to recovery across an array of disciplines. We’ve remained engaged ever since.

Both Detroit and Memphis are working to expand long-term, equitable opportunities by centering residents’ priorities. Like Detroit, Memphis neighborhoods have been challenged by redlining, urban flight and underinvestment. Our Memphis grantmaking mirrors the foundation’s Detroit efforts to invest in community development systems, people-centered neighborhood revitalization, organizational and leadership development, planning and collaboration.

Although geographically removed from Detroit, Memphis and New Orleans, Fresno faces similar challenges. An engaged and diverse community of Fresnans has a vision for a sustainable and equitable future. From our earliest investments to our deeper engagement beginning in 2018, we seek to expand equity and opportunity by funding cross-sector planning and collaboration, community and economic development, community organizing and advocacy.

Collectively, progress in these three cities advances the trajectory of American cities and informs other places ripe for change.