FCA Foundation Invests $1.6 Million to Advance Educational Opportunities for Detroit-area Students

17 academic and nonprofit organizations receive FCA Foundation grants focused on education and helping Detroit youth grow and thrive

November 14, 2019  – Today, the FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, announced the recipients of its 2019 educational grants (totaling $1,650,000). The grantees, all of whom are focused on improving educational outcomes for Detroit-area students, provide a wide array of in-classroom, after school, summer and weekend programming.

“The FCA Foundation recognizes its responsibility to help build strong and sustainable communities,” said Christine Estereicher, Director – FCA Foundation, Civic Engagement & State Affairs. “We believe that this goal can only be realized by investing in Detroit’s young people; providing them with educational opportunities as well as life skills that will help them grow and thrive for years to come.”

Among the 17 academic and nonprofit organizations receiving an FCA Foundation grant, Cranbrook Institute of Science will utilize its grant to bring a hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program to K-12 students at Detroit Enterprise Academy, as well as to students in southeast and central Michigan. This programming demonstrates a sustainable model of academic instruction that offers STEM learning and its real-world application and resource efficiency.

“Cranbrook Institute of Science is committed to transforming students, families and communities through STEM and environmental education programs of the highest quality and impact,” said Dr. Michael Stafford, Ph.D., director of Cranbrook Institute of Science. “We are delighted to have the FCA Foundation, an organization as committed and passionate about these issues as we are, as a partner in this important work.”

2019 FCA Foundation Grant Recipients

Arab American and Chaldean Council – Expansion of after-school enrichment program

ACCESS – Expansion of digital inclusion program

City Year – In-school mentoring

Communities in Schools – Support to help students stay on track to graduation

Cranbrook Institute of Science – STEM education and environmental outreach program

Detroit Police Athletic League – Youth athletic, leadership and mentoring programs

Engineering Society of Detroit – Girls in Engineering Academy

FIRST Championship (Detroit) – Volunteer sponsor

FIRST in Michigan – Support for 114 FIRST robotics competition teams in AZ, IL, IN and MI

LA SED – Youth enrichment program with a focus on literacy and math proficiency

Math Corps – Academic and mentoring program for Detroit public school students in grades 6-12

Michigan College Access Network – College advising support for high school students

Rhonda Walker Foundation – RWF Academy after-school program for middle-school girls

Ruth Ellis Center Inc. – Expansion of youth leadership program

Teach for America – Literacy Teacher Development in eastside Detroit schools

Winning Futures – School-based leadership and mentoring with an emphasis on high school graduation and college preparation

YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit – Youth development programming in Warren, Trenton, Pontiac and the east side of Detroit