Groundwork for Change that Lasts
We’re Working Together to Build Something
to Last Forever, And It Isn’t Our Foundation.
We are a 20-year limited-life foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life in the communities our founder Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Loved and called home – Southeast Michigan and Western New York. Our strategic investments are guided by community voice, powered by strong partnerships, and rooted in a commitment to inspire and drive meaningful change beyond our closing in 2035.
When Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. put into motion the establishment of his namesake Foundation, he went from NFL game changer to community life changer. Driven by his love and loyalty for the places that shaped him, his Foundation now exists to support and help improve those communities. Improvement comes best when you build on the strong foundation that is already in place, and Mr. Wilson’s mandate of a 20-year spend down requires that the Foundation operate differently: with urgency and a collaborative spirit.
Strengthening Community is a team sport
Our Foundation is part of that team. We will work with the players already on the ground—the organizations and passionate individuals that are making a difference in our communities every day. We will share the qualities of our founder—energy, urgency, innovation and heart—in efforts already underway and in new efforts that we can create together. We want to help make a difference differently.
Our Focus Areas
Outcomes
We are driven to be effective, achieving positive and sustainable outcomes for our communities.
Teamwork
We collaborate with fellow grant makers, leaders and members of our target areas’ nonprofit communities.
Innovation
We understand and accept the risks—and rewards—that come with investment in innovative strategies.