What can make a great great city even greater? Not what but who: The people who love it, whose lives are embedded in it and who want it to thrive. The Royal Oak Civic Foundation provides that opportunity.
Created by the city of Royal Oak in 2018, the foundation accepts contributions for city projects and programs and, as a 501(c)(3) charity, enables donors to deduct their contributions to the extent allowed by law. Some foundations can only donate to an IRS-designated charity and those gifts may be substantial.
In 2022 the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation donated $250,000 to the foundation for the Royal Oak Arboretum which was subsequently renamed for the Erb family. With the funds, the city’s parks department and nonprofit nature society will plant trees, buy tools, add signage and seating, irrigate, offer educational programming, recognize volunteers, and eradicate invasive species.
Corewell Health’s contributions to the foundation help pay for the bus service offered by the senior center.
While the foundation’s first role was to accept and route donations to city programs, some donors choose to make unrestricted gifts to the community benefit fund, which the board of trustees can allocate both for Royal Oak’s agencies and for other nonprofits.
During COVID 19 the foundation fought food insecurity by matching funds raised by the Open Hands Pantry, Salvation Army food bank and Blessings in a Backpack. Since 2022 ROCF has joined with Royal Oaks police and firefighters to fund Shop with a Hero, which enables children in need to shop for holiday gifts for their families.
“The Royal Oak Civic Foundation continues to grow quickly as we find new resources and partners interested in our supporting our vibrant city and support our mission to ‘Improve the city’s health, safety, and cultural opportunities by inspiring the philanthropy of residents and business leaders to support a thriving, resilient community,’” said Board Chair Tom McGannon.
Many donors want to support existing city activities. The foundation accepts and directs contributions to the commission for the arts, historical commission (Orson Starr House), nature society, public safety, the library, parks and recreation, seniors and the animal shelter.
“There is no end to the potential for a flourishing city,” said Mayor Mike Fournier. “Donations to the foundation mean more public works of art, more books, more flower gardens, more dog treats, more nice things for our great city.”
For the past two years the foundation welcomed guests to Arts Beats and Eats on Fifth, a charity preview of the food, art and entertainment expected at the Labor Day weekend festival in Royal Oak. Corporate sponsors mingled with civic and business leaders and enjoyed marketing and entertaining benefits.
Four local nonprofits – Metro Detroit Youth Clubs, Outreach on 7th, Royal Oak Football Club, the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce scholarship committee and Stagecrafters – sold tickets to the event and shared in the revenue.
The community benefit fund was the source for two grants the foundation gave last year. The library applied for and received funds for a book vending machine at the Woodward Corners Market and the senior center received a grant that paid for 64 sessions of yard work for 16 seniors in need.
“In the past our staff regretted not being able to help seniors who came to us for assistance around the yard,” said Senior Center Director Yolanda Botello. “This let us say ‘Yes!’”
Long term, the foundation looks to planned giving to create an endowment fund as a long term source of income for operations and programs.
“Residents who want to leave a legacy might use a bequest from a will or trust, name the foundation as a beneficiary of their retirement account, make an IRA charitable rollover or establish a charitable trust,” said Howard Collens, a board trustee and chair of the fundraising committee.
The foundation is governed by a board of trustees of business and civic leaders. It is a creation of the City of Royal Oak, its sole Member. Acting as the Member, the city commission has a limited role. It created the foundation, appoints its trustees and has the power to dissolve it.
At RoyalOakCivicFoundation.org you can learn more about the organization, donate or sign up to receive news bulletins about the foundation. You can also call (248) 254-6490.