“What is really important to us is unrestricted giving, people who support us knowing that we are going to identity needs that maybe they don’t know about,” said Sharlan Douglas, the Royal Oak Civic Foundation Chair.
The foundation was created by the city of Royal Oak and its main purpose is to raise funds for projects and programs in the city. Douglas’ past experience includes serving on the city commission for 12 years. She studied Urban Planning at Wayne State University and was active with other nonprofits during her time there. Douglas was also the executive director of the Eight Mile Boulevard Association.
“You get a grand view on what is happening in the city and what is important, which is the most relevant experience I have to this. I had a very strong interest in urban planning and economic development,” said Douglas.
All who serve on the Civic Foundation board are volunteers, giving their time because they care deeply about the city and programs that serve the community. In their professional lives, they bring a range of skills to the foundation, including fundraising, grant writing, marketing, finance and other areas that help support its mission.
The Civic Foundation has a grant committee and a grant-making cycle that begins in the spring. The foundation announces a call for proposals and city departments will submit a proposal. Then, the department or project is selected in July, and the grant is awarded in August.
“During COVID we did a program to address food insecurity, we gave grants to three food banks in Royal Oak,” said Douglas, “Sometimes people will give us a grant for a specific passion of theirs, a common thing would be a park bench. We accept responsibility for receiving the grant and making sure the money is spent as promised.”
This past August, the Arts Beats and Eats festival took place. The foundation was the first event in the city's new Fifth Street Pedestrian Plaza, helping people discover the space for themselves. Recently, they have given to the senior center to create a library. In each of their giving cycles, they have given a grant to the library. They also funded a curated collection of learning language kits for children.
“Coming up in December is Shop With a Hero. In this event, kids in need are taken shopping with a public safety officer or veteran who guides them through the stores as they pick out gifts for their family and friends,” said Douglas, “It is really lovely because it builds trust with our public safety officers, and the officers love it. We provide the funding to give them the gift cards to go shopping with.”
Every year the Royal Oak Civic Foundation partners with Meijer, providing gift cards to children in need. Volunteers then wrap each of the gifts for the children to take. The foundation’s main concern now is their need to grow. With a working board, Douglas explains that they must find the resources to bring in a part-time fundraising worker and identify a large city project that they can take the fundraising lead on.
Douglas said, “After the Shop With a Hero project, we had some leftover gift cards. We give those to Royal Oak police officers, so when they are out in the field and encounter someone with an immediate need they can help them with a little financial support. Sometimes it's a tank of gas, or food needs, even diapers. It helps put the police officers in a favorable light, but also helps people in their darkest hour.”
Their largest grant so far was a $250,000 grant from the Erb Family Foundation. The grant was used for planting in the arboretum. It enabled them to improve paths and make the space more accessible. Another goal for the foundation is to develop a long-term giving program, such as being mentioned in people’s wills.
“If you love our city, we are the place to show that love, because we can take your donation of any size and combine it with other donations to really make a difference to the city,” said Douglas.
For donations, the Royal Oak Civic Foundation’s website is where people can choose where their donation will be funded. The categories include the senior center, animal shelters, commission for the arts, historic commission, nature society, public safety, the public library and parks and recreation. They also accept mail-in donations.
“You get a grand view on what is happening in the city and what is important...", said Douglas
“We are the place to show that love, we can take your donation of any size to make a difference ,” said Douglas.
The Royal Oak Civic Foundation is a Michigan nonprofit whose sole Member is the city of Royal Oak, as represented by the City Commission. Now, there’s a place where we can all join to make Royal Oak better for all. The Royal Oak Civic Foundation is a Nonprofit Corporation exclusively devoted to meeting our city’s greatest needs. Your donation is tax-deductible.
Maybe your heart lies with some specific city activities. You can donate to one of our legacy groups, which includes the Animal Shelter, Commission for The Arts, Historical Commission (Orson Starr House), Nature Society, Public Safety, Public Library, Parks & Recreation, or Senior Center.
For more information, please royaloakcivicfoundation.org