Kresge Foundation

Kresge Foundation. The Kresge Foundation was established by Sebastian S. Kresge, the founder of S.S. Kresge Corporation, which later became Kmart Corporation. Sebastian S. Kresge created the foundation to support Detroit-area organizations and has since expanded its reach to support non-profit organizations across the United States. The foundation is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, and its work is guided by the principles of social justice and community development, as exemplified by the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr. and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

● History

The foundation's history dates back to 1924, when Sebastian S. Kresge established it with an initial gift of Kmart Corporation stock. Over the years, the foundation has undergone significant transformations, including the appointment of Rip Rapson as its president and CEO in 2006. Under Rip Rapson's leadership, the foundation has focused on supporting community development initiatives, such as those led by Habitat for Humanity and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation. The foundation has also collaborated with other organizations, including the Ford Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, to address pressing social issues, such as poverty and inequality, as highlighted by the work of Nelson Mandela and the United Nations.

● Mission and Objectives

The foundation's mission is to support non-profit organizations that work to expand opportunities for low-income individuals and families, as inspired by the work of Jane Addams and the Settlement movement. Its objectives include promoting community development, improving public health, and enhancing education and economic opportunity, as outlined by the No Child Left Behind Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act. The foundation's work is guided by the principles of social justice and equity, as reflected in the efforts of Malala Yousafzai and the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative. The foundation has also been influenced by the work of John Rawls and his theory of justice as fairness, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

● Grantmaking Programs

The foundation's grantmaking programs support a range of initiatives, including community development projects, public health programs, and education and economic opportunity initiatives. The foundation has provided funding to organizations such as the National Urban League, the NAACP, and the American Civil Liberties Union, as well as to community-based organizations like the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy and the Eastern Market Corporation. The foundation has also supported initiatives led by government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Education, as well as by private foundations, including the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Rockefeller Foundation.

● Leadership and Governance

The foundation is led by Rip Rapson, who has served as its president and CEO since 2006. The foundation's board of trustees includes leaders from the non-profit sector, business, and government, such as Sandra Ambrose, Luis A. Ubiñas, and Richard M. Tsai. The foundation is also advised by a range of experts, including academics from Harvard University, Stanford University, and the University of Michigan, as well as by practitioners from organizations like the World Health Organization and the International Rescue Committee.

● Notable Initiatives

The foundation has launched several notable initiatives in recent years, including the Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit program, which supports community development projects in Detroit. The foundation has also partnered with other organizations to launch initiatives such as the FreshLo program, which aims to improve public health and economic opportunity in low-income communities, as inspired by the work of Michael Bloomberg and the Bloomberg Philanthropies. The foundation has also supported initiatives led by government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as by private foundations, including the Gates Foundation and the Ford Foundation. The foundation's work has been recognized by organizations such as the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy and the Council on Foundations, and has been influenced by the work of philanthropists like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.