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The Kresge Foundation’s work in metropolitan Detroit – a constant since 1924 – became significantly more comprehensive and collaborative in 2007 when the national grantmaker decided to expand its efforts to better address society’s pressing issues.

This month, the foundation has published updated and expanded information on its Web site about the work of the Detroit Program and is offering a new approach for gathering project ideas.

The Detroit Program is the foundation’s primary community development effort. It works to improve the long-term economic, social and cultural fabric of the city and surrounding region through focused efforts in five strategically targeted areas: Detroit’s neighborhoods, its downtown, the regional economy, the arts and cultural community, and the area’s environmental and natural resources.

The updated Detroit Program section of the Kresge Web site provides greater detail on its work in each area and offers an e-mail mechanism for submitting project ideas. “We are flexible and varied in our grantmaking approaches,”says Laura J. Trudeau, program director and Detroit Program Team leader. “The projects we support are assessed for their potential to make the greatest, most positive difference over time.”

Through the activities of the Detroit Program, Kresge hopes to foster new methods for collaboration among stakeholders in the region and thereby increase the community’s collective access to expertise and opportunity; encourage new, shared learning; and leverage joint investments. All grantseekers, for example, are being asked to provide a list of potential partners with each project idea.

To learn more about its goals, eligibility criteria and process for submission of project ideas, visit Detroit Program, which is located in the What We Do section of the Kresge Web site.

If you have questions, e-mail the Grants Inquiry Coordinator or call 248-643-9630.