Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Celebrates 100 Years of Giving
by Jerry Knoodle
At the September 11 meeting, our guest speaker was President and CEO of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Ridgway White. Ridgway expressed his gratitude for being asked to speak to our group and stated founder Charles S. Mott was indeed a Flint Rotarian. Ridgway became Mott CEO in 2015 and was immediately thrust into the challenge of the Flint Water Crisis. He led the way by approving a $4 million grant to help reconnect Flint to the Detroit water system along with providing $100 million over the next five years to help the city recover from the crisis.
2026 is the Centennial year for the Mott Foundation, originating in 1926 with a gift of $320,000 worth of General Motors stock. Since that time, the foundation has granted a total of $4.4 billion for local and worldwide causes. The current portfolio stands at $9.1 billion in assets.
Ridgway outlined several projects over more recent years, including community school learning centers across the US, Great Lakes protection of 460,000 acres, Ukraine support for 30 years, and paralegal training in South Africa.
Looking forward to the next century, Ridgway White explained he is excited the foundation will pledge $2 billion for the first 10 years from 2026-2035:
$320 million to support education in Flint
$100 million to reduce childhood poverty in Flint (emphasizing on cash transfer projects)
Up to $200 million to support youth engagement at the national level
Up to $100 million to advance "one water" solutions
Up to $40 million to support access to justice globally
The foundation is also committing $100 million for Flint schools, playgrounds, and parks. The theme is "dreams to reality." The centennial giving also includes $500,000 for neighborhood improvement projects across Flint. One of the initiatives he is most excited about is the $25 million support for the expansion of trails to connect communities across the county.
Left: President Domonique and Ridgway White, President of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
A Somber Remembrance
by Jerry Knoodle & Elizabeth Jordan
On September 11, President Domonique Clemons opened the meeting with a memorial remembrance of the 9/11 tragic event and how the country had changed since that day. He remarked that we should not allow that event to influence our thinking about all cultures, races, or nationalities.
The occasion also offers the opportunity to try to hold in our hearts compassion for all who suffered as a result of that day and the days that followed. That could include, of course, honoring the nearly 3,000 people who died in New York City, the Pentagon, and on that field in Pennsylvania. It could include the first responders who rushed in, and the more than 9,000 who died subsequently as a result of the toxic exposure to the dust.
It could also include the US servicemembers who were deployed to Iraq, 4,418 of whom were killed, and those who came home with physical and emotional scars
The circle of compassion can expand to include the innocent Iraqis, 200,000 of whom died in the war.
It can include the 2,4 US and 1,160 NATO troops deployed to Afghanistan who died, and the veterans who came home.
We can also hold the 46,000 Afghan civilians who died in the war with compassion. And, we can hold the Afghans who risked their lives to support the US efforts, some of who were not able to get out after the departure of US forces, and who still face the risk of death.
If we draw on our pledge to consider what will build goodwill and better friendships, and to be beneficial to all concerned, how far might we stretch our circle of compassion?
New Member Introduction
On September 11, we were pleased to introduce Shane Storey, the newest member of our club. He was sponsored by Past President David Smith and brings a background in insurance. He currently works for Alliant Insurance Services, where he is Vice-President for Government and Public Entities.
Please offer Shane a hearty welcome!
Right: Dave Smith and Shane Storey
Next Up: Thirsty Thursday TONIGHT
Meet us at Churchill's at 5 pm to enjoy food and friendship! Bring a friend!
