The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation today announced the appointment of Monique Wells and Dr. Thomasina R. Stenhouse as non-trustee members of the Foundation’s Program Committee. The committee, currently comprised of the Foundation’s three life trustees and three at-large trustees, reviews grant requests and provides strategic direction for the Foundation’s programmatic investments prior to final board […]

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The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation seeks to contract a firm or team of evaluators to conduct a summative evaluation of the Foundation’s Parks, Trails, and Green Design (PTGD) focus area. The objectives of the evaluation are 1) to document the grantmaking and non-grantmaking processes to date and analyze the associated outcomes of those efforts; and 2) to develop an evaluation plan to continue monitoring the progress of PTGD initiatives, including identifying metrics to measure outcomes…

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The program will bring together teams of local organizations to create respite opportunities for family caregivers of older adults

BUFFALO, NY, September 6, 2022 – Exhale, the Family Caregiver Initiative, which funds innovative collaborative projects that are reimagining and increasing respite opportunities for family caregivers of older adults, announced today that 12 new grantees have been selected to kick-off its 2022 program. The grantees include Western New York’s Catholic Health Continuing Care Foundation, YMCA Buffalo Niagara, Cradle Beach, Inc., Healthy Alternatives Through Healings Arts (HAHA), Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, American Cancer Society, St. John’s Home Foundation, Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Inc., United Way of Orleans County along with Regents of the University of Michigan – Silver Club, Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels and Chelsea Senior Center, which are based in Washtenaw County, MI.

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 $110 million of collaborative investment to fulfill community’s vision to transform the former LaSalle Park into a one-of-a-kind, world-class park serving all .

Phase I Construction includes a signature pedestrian bridge for improved access, ball field improvements and shoreline rehabilitation of the inlet area.

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The Buffalo Together Community Response Fund, established in the wake of the horrific racially-motivated mass shooting at the Tops Market on Jefferson Avenue earlier this month, will begin to distribute initial support to 70 Black-led organizations that have a meaningful and long-term presence in the community, and that are working on the front lines to address urgent community need in the aftermath of the tragedy. Approximately $560,000 in grants ranging from $5,000 – $20,000 will begin to be distributed in the coming days.

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• Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park will dramatically transform the Detroit Riverfront into one of the most beautiful public spaces in the country and is a major step forward in the Conservancy’s goal of developing 5.5 miles of revitalized riverfront
• Detroit Riverfront Conservancy receives $7 million in new support for Ralph Wilson Park; DTE Energy Foundation announces $2.5 million gift

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DNR and partners complete southern trailhead for Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail and break ground on new Eugene & Elaine C. Driker Trail.

Representatives from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation gathered today on Belle Isle for the ribbon-cutting of the first phase of the Ralph Wilson Gateway and Trail. The ceremony also celebrated the launch of construction for the new Eugene and Elaine C. Driker Trail on the east end of the Detroit island park.

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Funds are part of Foundation’s $100 million Parks & Trails initiative launched in 2018.

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Organizations come together on National Caregivers Day for shared vision for caregivers

AMERICUS, Ga., Feb. 18, 2022 – In celebration of National Caregivers Day, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) announced today that the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation has made a lead investment to support evidence-based, equitable policies that center caregivers through RCI’s new national advocacy program. The Foundation’s commitment is a three-year grant of $5,140,520.

This latest grant in the partnership between RCI and the Foundation is in direct response to a growing crisis facing caregivers. Over the course of the pandemic, caregivers have grown in numbers, their isolation has intensified, and their physical and mental health has suffered. According to a national survey of caregivers conducted by RCI, 83 percent of caregivers report increased stress related to caregiving since the start of the pandemic. As the country moves toward recovery, this investment will support an indispensable and largely invisible part of the U.S. health care system: the country’s 53 million family caregivers.

First on RCI’s policy agenda is a bold proposal to centralize support for caregivers across federal research, policy, funding, and programming via the creation of an Office of Caregiver Health at the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to national advocacy, RCI will begin working to advance statewide policies to support caregivers in Michigan, New York, and Georgia.

For nearly 35 years, RCI has provided direct support, resources, and programming to caregivers. In that time, caregivers’ responsibilities, stress, and isolation have grown while their support systems have stagnated. Now, under the added strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, caregivers have reached a breaking point.

“History is filled with calamitous events that have propelled historic change, often reshaping policy,” said Rosalynn Carter, former first lady of the United States and founder of RCI. “COVID has demonstrated how critical caregivers are to a healthy American society, and we must seize this moment to invest in institutions that support them.”

With that charge, RCI is expanding its portfolio of work to include advocating for systems-level change to help build a national support system for the country’s family caregivers.

“Caregivers are the invisible frontline of health care in America and the past 18 months have proven that we could not function without them,” said Dr. Jennifer Olsen, chief executive officer of RCI. “Now is our moment to change systems and change lives, and with partners like the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, I believe we can finally get caregivers the support they deserve.”

Caregivers are one of the core focus areas of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the partnership between RCI and the Foundation was born out of Rosalynn Carter and Mary Wilson’s shared interest in supporting caregivers.

“Ralph long held a special place in his heart for caregivers, understanding the value and importance of their care in making our communities strong and resilient,” said Mary Wilson, board chair and life trustee of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “Now more than ever, it is important that the voices and experiences of caregivers be reflected in our state and national policies.”

About RCI: The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers promotes the health, strength, and resilience of caregivers throughout the United States. Established in 1987 by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the Institute’s priority is the unpaid family caregiver: those individuals who care for a relative, friend, or loved one. To learn more about RCI, its advocacy, how to participate in programs, or build a partnership, visit www.rosalynncarter.org.

About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation: The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect the devotion of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information visit www.rcwjrf.org.

Paul Riser, Misha Stallworth West, Kari Pardoe, Marissa Rossman and Maria Suchyta join foundation

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