MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation Commits $210,000 to Four Community Organizations Across Lower Michigan

The MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation, the philanthropic arm of MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), recently announced it awarded $210,000 in grants to four community organizations ― Detroit Institute of Arts, First Step, Todd Martin Youth Leadership, and Woldumar Nature Center.

“These grants will help local organizations provide critical services and programs to those in need,” said Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Surian. “By supporting the arts, stable housing, and youth empowerment, we’re working to build stronger, more vibrant communities.”

Founded in 2019, the Foundation focuses on five philanthropic pillars as it fulfills its mission to partner with donors to empower transformational change to make a sustainable difference in our communities. These pillars are the arts, entrepreneurship, financial education, stable housing, and youth empowerment. The following organizations received grants during the fourth quarter of 2024:

The Arts

Detroit Institute of Arts ($125,000 allocated over two years) — The grant will underwrite the DIA’s Weekend Family Programs from Jan. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Family-friendly programming is offered free with museum general admission every weekend on Saturdays and Sundays. Programs vary and often include puppetry, music, and artist demonstrations. The DIA also partners with local community organizations to provide programs. These have included Japanese Girl’s Day, a giant Diego Rivera puppet construction workshop, and many other programs and activities.

Stable Housing

First Step ($75,000) — Since 1978, First Step has provided safe shelter and comprehensive services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Wayne County ― about 7,000 survivors across the county and City of Detroit annually. The grant is directed to First Step’s capital campaign to renovate and open a 21-room, 65- to 85-bed emergency shelter on Detroit’s east side in the Samaritan Center. Funding will name the beauty shop, located in the common area of the shelter, said to be the first of its kind in a domestic shelter in the United States.

“First Step is thrilled that the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation is committed to the safety, security, health, and well-being of survivors of domestic and sexual violence,” said Lori Kitchen-Buschel, First Step Executive Director. “The beauty shop space inside the new shelter at the Samaritan Center on Detroit’s east side will be a truly special space to create community, validate culture, and let survivors know they are holistically valued.”

Youth Empowerment

Todd Martin Youth Leadership ($5,000) —Todd Martin Youth Leadership works with the Lansing School District, and partners with the City of Lansing Parks and Recreation Department to expand daytime sports programming, after-school tutoring, and summer youth programming for under-resourced youth. Year-round programming includes academic tutoring, tennis instruction, life skills programming, and enrichment opportunities to enhance the quality of life for school-age children and their families. The grant will support a program for underserved children from Riddle Elementary School in downtown Lansing.

“Our mission is to prepare young people, especially those from under-resourced families and communities, for success as individuals and as active, responsible citizens through innovative tennis, education, life skills, and leadership development programming,” said Rebecca Johnson, Executive Director. “Our programs provide underserved youth with the opportunities, skills, and support they need to reach their full potential in a safe and nurturing environment. By focusing on academic growth, physical development, and social-emotional learning, we are building the next generation of leaders — empowered to succeed both now and in the future. As a result of the funding provided by the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation, TMYL is able to expand the number of students served, as well as the number of days after-school and summer programming is offered in order to provide more enriching opportunities for kids and families. We are deeply grateful to the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation for their generous support. Their commitment to empowering youth aligns perfectly with our mission at TMYL, as we both work to equip young people with the tools they need to thrive and become engaged, responsible citizens.”

Woldumar Nature Center ($5,000) — For more than 60 years, Woldumar Nature Center has been a resource for environmental education in Greater Lansing. Extensive research supports the positive impact of out-of-school learning experiences and time spent in nature on students’ educational achievement. The MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation is pleased to provide a $5,000 matching grant to support the center’s year-end fundraising efforts. Please consider supporting Woldumar Nature Center and have your contribution matched!

“The Woldumar Nature Association is honored to receive this grant from the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation in support of our 2024 year-end campaign. This annual fundraiser enables us to protect and maintain over 180 acres of public greenspace and helps us deliver exceptional environmental educational programming to more than 7,000 children in the coming year. We are grateful to the Foundation and look forward to continuing to serve the Greater Lansing community with their support,” said Kevin Wernet, Executive Director.

MSUFCU and Oakland University Credit Union members can support the Foundation and these organizations through the quarterly Desk Drawer Foundation Raffles. The $20 raffle tickets are available at any Credit Union branch. A portion of the funds are awarded to one lucky member each quarter (up to $20,000), and the remainder of ticket sales revenue is invested in the communities the Credit Union serves through Foundation grants. Members can purchase tickets for the fourth-quarter raffle through Tuesday, Dec. 3. The first-quarter raffle for 2025 runs Jan. 13 through March 7.

For more information on the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation and to donate, visit deskdrawerfoundation.org, call 517-333-2299, or email deskdrawerfoundation@msufcu.org.