Research & Reports
Discover the latest research & reports produced, supported or shared by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
Annual Reports
Take a look back at the Foundation’s Annual Reports that share highlights of programmatic grant commitments as well as grant dashboards and financials going back to 2016. A recap of the Foundation’s 2015 Transitional Legacy Grant program is also available for review. The Legacy Grants were made by trustees in the inaugural year of the Foundation, prior to the establishment of program focus areas.
State of Play
To better understand the offerings of and access to youth sports in urban, suburban and rural communities, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation commissioned three regional studies by the Aspen Institute's Sport & Society Program, in partnership with local community foundations:
- State of Play Southeast Michigan
- State of Play Western New York
- State of Play Greater Rochester & the Finger Lakes
This report was commissioned by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.
Learn moreGrantee & Applicant Perception Summary
To better understand partner perceptions and how to best serve its communities, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation collaborated with the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) to administer their Grantee and Applicant Perception surveys. To complement these findings, the foundation enlisted the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University to conduct interviews with key partners. This two-part process utilized CEP’s refined surveys and custom interviews to capture comprehensive perspectives from intermediaries and grantees.
Download ReportGenerator Z Evaluation Report
To learn more about the impact of the Generator Z program, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation engaged an evaluation team led by a team from the University at Pittsburgh School of Education. The team aimed to shape its mixed-methods evaluation approach to align with the spirit of the overall Generator Z initiative by rooting the evaluation in adolescent and youth development research and elevating youth voices throughout their report.
View Report Download Report2021 – 2022 Biennial Report
View the 2021 through 2022 Biennial Report for the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. The report covers highlights of the foundation’s 2021 and 2022 programmatic grant commitments made in its two regions of Southeast Michigan and Western New York, spotlights on the Foundation’s special initiatives, and the Foundation’s 2022 financials.
This report was written and published by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation
View Report Download ReportThe Western New York Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: Rapid Discovery Assessment & Recommendations for the Future
In an effort to learn more about the current state of Western New York’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and to inform future strategy, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation engaged Victor & Company, led by Victor W. Hwang, to conduct a three-month rapid discovery process. As part of this process, Victor & Company conducted 20 interviews with […]
This report was written and published by Victor & Company, led by Victor W. Hwang, with support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
View Download2020 Annual Report
This report was written and published by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation
View Report Download ReportHome Care Aide Safety Concerns and Job Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Home care aides are on the frontlines providing care to vulnerable individuals in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic yet are often excluded from policies to protect health care workers. The goal of this study was to examine the experiences of agency-employed home care aides during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify ways to mitigate concerns.
This report was published by the RAND corporation, with support by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
View Report Download ReportThe State of Economic Equity in Detroit
This report is the result of a yearlong planning process that engaged nearly 500 community stakeholders. “The State of Economic Equity” presents 22 economic equity indicators through the lens of geographic and racial/ethnic equity, in six focus areas: income and wealth building, access to quality employment, business and entrepreneurship, education, health, and neighborhoods and housing. This report illustrates the deep disparities that persist in Detroit and provides recommendations that provide a path to an economically equitable Detroit in which all Detroiters are meeting their unique needs, prospering, and fully and fairly participating in all aspects of economic life within a thriving city and region.
This report was published by Detroit Future City, with support, in part, by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
View Report Download Report2019 Annual Report
View the 2019 Annual Report for the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. The report covers highlights of the foundation’s 2019 programmatic grant commitments made in its two regions of Southeast Michigan and Western New York, spotlights on the Foundation’s special initiatives, and the Foundation’s 2019 audited financials.
This report was written and published by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation
View Report Download ReportThe 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.
View Report Download ReportConnected & Automated Vehicles Emerging Technology Skills Gap Analysis
This report is focused on connected and automated vehicles (CAV) and will analyze the current and emerging technology workforce in southeast Michigan. It examines occupations that are critical in developing CAV by analyzing data on the workforce’s employment trends, local demand, entry requirements, and regional specialties.
This report was published by the Workforce Intelligence Network with support by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation
View Report Download ReportCybersecurity Emerging Technology Skills Gap Analysis
This report is focused on cybersecurity and will analyze the current and emerging technology workforce in southeast Michigan. Where appropriate, national comparisons are included as well. This report builds upon and updates the original Cybersecurity Skills Gap Analysis published by WIN in 2017 in connection with the Office of Economic Adjustment, Department of Defense.
This report was published by the Workforce Intelligence Network with support by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation
View Report Download ReportReport of Activities: 2016-2018
The is the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s first official “Report of Activities” to the community. The report offers listings of the Foundation’s 2016, 2017 and 2018 programmatic grant commitments made in its two regions of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The report also includes the Foundation’s 2017 audited financials.
This report was written and published by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation
View Report Download ReportAn Exploration of Family Caregiving
To gain a better understanding of the “state of family caregiving,” the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation engaged Practica Group, a partnership of anthropologists and marketers, to conduct research and gain broad cultural insight into the everyday lives of this growing community. By presenting these findings, the Foundation strives to provide fresh perspectives on the life of caregivers, the challenges they face, their successes and joys.
This publication was researched by Practica Group with support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
View Report Download ReportA Path to Good-paying Careers for all Michiganders
This report by Michigan Future, Inc., offers detailed ideas on how state policymakers can implement the placemaking recommendations in its previous state policy report: A Path to Good-paying Careers for all Michiganders: A 21st Century State Policy Agenda. As with that report, Michigan Future’s goal is to offer ideas that will engage readers in a conversation about how Michigan can meet the economic challenges of the future.
This report was published by Michigan Future, Inc. with support, in part, by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
View Report Download ReportRenewing America’s Economic Promise Through Older Industrial Cities
An in-depth analysis of the key attributes of dozens of older industrial cities across the country, this report argues that bottom-up efforts to better leverage their advantages, and address their disadvantages, can help achieve improved economic growth, prosperity, and inclusion for all.
This report was published by the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings with support, in part, by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
View Report Download ReportState of Play Western New York
This report offers an independent assessment of the state of play for kids and sports in the eight-county region comprising Western New York—Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties. It is anchored in the notion that all stakeholders will benefit if all children in the region, regardless of zip code or ability, are provided access to a quality sport experience.
This report was produced by the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program with support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
View Report Download ReportState of Play Southeast Michigan
This report offers an independent assessment of the state of play for kids and sports in the seven-county region comprising Southeast Michigan—Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, and St. Clair counties. It is anchored in the notion that all stakeholders will benefit if all children in the region, regardless of zip code or ability, are provided access to a quality sport experience.
The report was produced by the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program with support from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, in partnership with the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
View Report Download ReportState of Play Greater Rochester & the Finger Lakes
This report offers an independent assessment of the state of play for kids and sports in the six counties within Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes—Livingston, Ontario, Monroe, Wayne, Seneca, and Yates counties. It is anchored in the notion that all stakeholders will benefit if all children in the region, regardless of zip code or ability, are provided access to a quality sport experience.
The report was produced by the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program with support from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, in partnership with the Rochester Area Community Foundation.
View Report Download Report