Entrepreneurship & Economic Development

Arab American National Museum

Several years into recovery after a decades-long economic slide in both Southeast Michigan and Western New York, the Foundation’s investments in Entrepreneurship & Economic Development look to leverage this momentum by spurring small business growth, place-based community and economic development, and talent attraction and retention.

In each region, the Foundation seeks to strengthen the entrepreneurial support system from grassroots to high growth by helping entrepreneurs access critical resources and technical assistance, so they can get what they need to start or grow their businesses. Such support can mean better access to capital and business planning resources, as well as capacity-building support and more. Lack of access to these resources is particularly acute with women and minority entrepreneurs, and the Foundation supports efforts to attain and sustain economic growth that is inclusive and equitable.

In addition, the Foundation focuses on place-based investments in key commercial corridors located in underinvested areas, all to help support neighborhood job growth, build community wealth, and generate regional economic development in our communities.

Special Initiatives

Arts & Culture

More than just an exhilarating performance onstage or the quiet appreciation for brush strokes on a canvas, arts and culture institutions of all sizes play a crucial role in shaping our communities and boosting our regions’ economies. Recognizing this impact, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation has made a $200 million commitment to help transform the financial strength and long-term viability of Southeast Michigan and Western New York’s arts and culture sector.

Through this commitment, the Foundation will establish permanent endowments at two regional community foundations and provide an additional $7.5 million in annual funding ($3.75 million in each region) while the endowments are built over ten years. This additional funding ensures grant making can begin in 2022 and have an immediate impact on the cultural sector and regional economies now and forever.

$3.75 million distributed annually in each region will provide:

$3 million – Operations and sustainability support for pre-selected arts & culture institutions representing some of the region’s largest economic drivers.
$250,000 – Permanent capacity at regional community foundation to manage and operate funding and community engagement work, as well as support continued inclusion and access efforts.
$500,000 – Yearly grant opportunity for other arts & cultural nonprofits, primary small- to mid-size, across each region.

“We are building upon years of substantial investment by critical public funding streams and philanthropic funders that have helped these institutions become the cultural treasures and economic drivers they are today,” said Dave Egner, president & CEO, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “As a regionally focused foundation with a limited life, we saw a unique opportunity to make this significant contribution to impact the regions’ quality of life and economy through jobs, tourism and more. We hope this annual operating support will help to strengthen the financial condition of these institutions and allow them to continue to develop creative, audience-centered initiatives that make them more inclusive, welcoming, and accessible places for all.”

Read the Southeast Michigan Press Release Read the Western New York Press Release

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Research & Reports

Renewing America's Promise through Older Industrial Cities

This report identifies, analyzes, and categorizes the considerable assets and distinct challenges of 70 older industrial cities that collectively account for one-eighth of the U.S. population and economy. With increasing interest in local, state, and national policies to revive the fortunes of struggling communities, older industrial cities represent promising regions for strategic investment and critical centers for promoting inclusive economic growth.

This report was published by the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings with support, in part, by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.

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The Perils and Promise of America’s Legacy Cities in the Pandemic Era

COVID-19’s devastating impact is likely to be more severe and long-lasting in “legacy cities,” or older industrial cities, like Detroit, especially for minority communities. But promising, new collaborative local efforts and leadership—particularly if they are shored up by key policy fixes—can make a difference in whether and how legacy cities recover from the crisis and emerge stronger on the other side.

This report was published by the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings with support, in part, by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.

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