Flint, Michigan — In the wake of the tragic events at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and Community Foundation of Greater Flint are establishing the Grand Blanc Relief Fund to provide support for victims, survivors, their families and the broader community.
The fund was launched with an initial grant of $250,000 from the Mott Foundation. It will be housed and run by the Community Foundation, which will be able to accept additional support from organizations and individuals.
“This was a terrible tragedy for our neighbors in Grand Blanc, and our hearts go out to everyone affected,” said Dan Kildee, president and CEO of the Community Foundation.
Kildee added: “This fund is about standing with our community, providing care, hope and support to help people heal and come together stronger than before. We will work closely with local partners to ensure every resource reaches those who need it most.”
“In addition to supporting direct costs stemming from the tragedy, we want to help people heal and move forward in ways that will reduce fear and strengthen our shared sense of community,” said Ridgway White, president and CEO of the Mott Foundation.
White added: “While Mott’s initial grant launched the fund, we’ll consider additional support as we learn more about what’s needed. We hope other foundations, businesses and individuals also will help to address immediate needs and support work toward a future where people won’t be afraid to attend church or school or gather in any other setting.”
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acknowledges the tremendous outpouring of goodness from people around the world in response to this terrible tragedy,” said Lisa Hullinger, area relations manager.
Hullinger added: “The Church thanks all those caring so generously for those affected, including the Mott Foundation for this significant contribution to the Community Foundation that will assist victims, first responders and the broader community.”
The Community Foundation will coordinate with local organizations and residents to ensure the fund supports recovery, healing and long-term resilience.
For more information or to support the relief fund, please visit grandblancrelief.org.
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About the Community Foundation of Greater Flint
The Community Foundation of Greater Flint partners and leads by influencing and connecting generosity to Flint and Genesee County needs. The Community Foundation helps donors support the causes they care about, today or through their estates. The Community Foundation serves Flint and all of Genesee County, including its community funds in Clio, Davison, Fenton, Flushing and Grand Blanc. Its supporting organization, the Foundation for Flint, stewards the Flint Kids Fund in response to the Flint Water Crisis. Learn more at www.cfgf.org.
About the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Automotive pioneer Charles Stewart Mott established the private charitable foundation that bears his name in 1926 in Flint, Michigan. The Mott Foundation supports and works with organizations in our hometown of Flint and communities around the world to promote a just, equitable and sustainable society. We make grants to nonprofit organizations working in our four areas of interest: civil society, education, environment and the Flint area. For more information, visit mott.org.
