For more than 60 years, The Skillman Foundation has been a driving force for change in Detroit, dedicated to championing the city’s youth.
Founded by Detroit philanthropist, Rose Skillman, who believed that education was the key to opportunity, the foundation supports schools, youth development, and community initiatives that empower Detroit’s young people to achieve their full potential. Her legacy continues today, shaping policies and programs that uplift future generations.
Says Natalie Fotias, the foundation’s vice president of communications, “We want all young people to be supported to achieve their highest aspirations, to be successful and prosperous in life, and to forge a better future for all.”
To make this vision a reality, The Skillman Foundation provides grant funding to education advocacy efforts in Detroit and beyond. Fotias says, “Our goal is to ensure that everyone involved in K-12 education is communicating and collaborating to build the best possible future for students.”
As high school junior Kady Robinson-Larsosa puts it: “When we invest in youth, we build a city where young people want to stay, grow, and contribute—making Detroit stronger for generations to come.”
THE PRESIDENT’S YOUTH COUNCIL
Detroit Youth Leading the Way
Working under the premise that youth don’t just inherit the future—they determine it—the Foundation has a youth council, a paid 2-year experience where young people learn about philanthropy and share their own insights and ideas. As part of these efforts, the Foundation recently entrusted the council with a grand opportunity—grantmaking authority over a pool of funds designated for youth-centered initiatives. The result? A powerful demonstration of how young people, given the resources and responsibility, can support the transformation of their communities.
In its fourth round of youth-driven grantmaking, the council recently awarded $250,000 to 30 nonprofits supporting Detroit youth. The process was designed to introduce young leaders to philanthropy and community investment.
“The Skillman Foundation has the opportunity to introduce the youth to grantmaking,” says Ashley Aidenbaum, Director of Strategic Initiatives. “Through this effort, youth get to build and flex their leadership skills and learn more about their community.”
In 2023, council members identified grantmaking focus areas and conducted independent research to nominate organizations for grants, then underwent a group decision-making process to determine funding levels.
However, by 2024, they opted for an open-call format to attract a broader range of applicants and make the process more inclusive.
Through this open-call approach, the council focused on supporting organizations that elevate youth leadership and amplify young voices. The youth council received initial guidance and from there, members shaped every aspect of the process including the public messaging and application language, establishing selection criteria, and developing a rubric for evaluating proposals.
College sophomore and youth organizer Evamelo Oleita says, “We had training on how to go through grant applications and everyone was excited to learn more because we all wanted that educational piece on: What is philanthropy? Why are we even giving out this money? What is the importance of philanthropy in this work?”
Says Aidenbaum, “The council expressed a strong desire to be more strategic and intentional in funding grassroots organizations that centered youth in their work. Our job was to support them in achieving that goal.”
Once applications were received, the council’s grantmaking committee reviewed and scored proposals, deliberating collectively to determine funding allocations.
About this, Robinson-Sarsosa says, “One of my biggest takeaways has been the insights and perspectives I gained from the decision-making process. This year, we received an overwhelming number of applications and broke into smaller groups to make final decisions on where to award the grants. Working through the different goals, priorities, and viewpoints of my team members to select the final award winners was truly an incredible experience.”
Impact in Action: Where the Funds Are Going
The grants awarded by the youth council are already fueling important work. Some of the standout projects funded include:
- Carol’s House of Refuge ($11,575) – A dynamic environment offering mentorship, leadership development, and innovative programs for Detroit youth.
- Mirrored Glass, Inc. ($11,575) – An organization that connects young professionals and artists through multidisciplinary collaborations, workshops, and community-centered activations.
- Trespass Project (Chapel Vision Community Development Corporation) ($11,575) – A program using modern technology to help youth understand the legal system and gain access to positions of power.
Says Aidenbaum, “The organizations the council selected showcase the breadth of issues young Detroiters care about – and the various ways youth voice and leadership can show up across the city – from justice reform to creative expression to community building.”
Robinson-Sarsosa weighs in, saying, “It’s incredible to know that the organizations we were able to fund are making a meaningful impact on the lives of youth in Detroit.”
PYC MEETING
Beyond Grantmaking: The Foundation’s Broader Engagement with Youth
Grantmaking is just one way Skillman ensures young people have a seat at the table. The foundation also prioritizes youth participation in public conversations, making sure their voices are heard in policy discussions and leadership spaces.
One example is Skillman’s commitment to bringing young leaders to major platforms like the Mackinac Policy Conference. “We were the first organization to do this,” says Fotias. “It’s a powerful opportunity for young people to be in the mix, influencing conversations at the highest levels.”
Additionally, Skillman connects youth with media opportunities, conference speaking engagements, and storytelling platforms to amplify their perspectives.
One standout initiative, the Gen Z Design Sessions, was launched to provide strategic consulting to businesses and civic organizations. Initially highlighted at the Mackinac Policy Conference, the program engaged six organizations – including government agencies, business organizations, the Detroit Pistons and more – allowing young people to offer insights on improving community engagement and youth-centered initiatives.
The impact of these efforts is already being felt. One former council member and Gen Z strategist, Shamere Duncan, was hired as the first Youth Affairs Outreach Coordinator within Detroit’s Department of Neighborhoods.
“When people take the time to engage young people, it’s incredible what they can bring to the table,” says Fotias. “They are such creative thinkers, they’re honest, and they have a strategic mindset that can really shape the future.”
What’s Next for The Skillman Foundation?
Looking ahead, The Skillman Foundation is preparing to launch another groundbreaking initiative described as a youth-pooled fund.
In partnership with other philanthropic organizations, the fund will provide $5 million over the next three years to support a cohort of organizations that engage young people in civic action, community organizing, and leadership development.
“This initiative is about bringing organizations together to strengthen relationships and build strategic alignment and action toward shared goals that ultimately help improve our public systems to better serve young people and all people,” explains Fotias. “It’s about investing in the long-term infrastructure that allows youth to create the change they want to see.”
In the end, both Fotias and Aidenbaum are deeply impressed by the city’s youth and their strength, confidence, and determination to shape their future.
“We continue to learn so much from the young people we work with,” says Aidenbaum. “They’ve introduced us to new organizations, thoughtfully considered how to make resources and opportunities more accessible, and provided invaluable feedback on how to continue strengthening our work with young people through the council and beyond.”
“Young people are so aspirational about their ability to achieve great things and impact their communities,” says Fotias. “They have the drive, the ideas, and the power to make change happen. It’s up to each of us to support them to do so.”
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