Gen Forward Network

Gen Forward is a young philanthropic giving circle that lets members pool their money and make a positive impact in Genesee County through grants to nonprofits.

Formed in 2013, Gen Forward was created by a group of community leaders and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint to encourage philanthropy among mid career professionals. Since its inception, Gen Forward has had over 165 members and has provided $87,548.58 in grants to local community groups and initiatives.

Who We Are
We are a network of 100 emerging philanthropists working for the greater good of Genesee County. 

What We Do
100 members contribute to a common grantmaking pool to support annual grants in a focus area of their own choosing. 

Guiding Principles

• To increase the impact of our charitable dollars by learning and working together 
• To be involved in addressing the needs of our community 
• To continue the community’s legacy of generosity by fostering a new generation of philanthropists 

Membership Criteria

• Share a commitment to working together for the benefit of Genesee County 
• Reside anywhere, join at any time 
• Sustaining gift of $25/month to the membership fund

Membership Benefits

• Network and learn from several leaders through a “Philanthropy Speaks” leadership series.
• Grant $30,000 back to community, which is twice the average amount of grants given from the Gen Forward Network in the past six years.
• Participate with other members in a day of service with a former Gen Forward grantees.

Contact the Community Foundation of Greater Flint to join today! 

Gen Forward Grants

Organization	Year	Grant Award	Description
Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village	2021	$17,780.31	Grant funds support a proactive interruption in the school to prison pipeline through the provision of actively engaged peer & adult mentors. A two generational multi-tiered mentorship program within which one-on one, small group, and large group youth mentorship will take place alongside monthly parent mentorship and family engagement activities.
Autism Support and Resource Center	2018	$6,238.37	The Autism Support and Resource Center seeks to provide social, recreational and life skill experiences to those living with autism across the lifespan. Grant funds will support the transitional programs that offer life skills classes that build confidence, well-being and independence. Funds will also support pre-employment classes to help members learn how to research jobs, complete applications, create professional profiles, as well as interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
Carriage Town Ministries	2017	$15,880	Blueline Donuts offers donuts and coffee at the Carriage Town Ministries campus on Wednesday mornings, and at Heyday Coffee every weekday morning. The grant provided funding for a deck oven.
EmFlower	2016	$17,462	The program seeks to empower women to make wise choices, achieve financial success and gain self-esteem. The pilot project will benefit not only the client survivors of violence but their children and generations to come.
Communities First, Inc.	2015	$16,400	Culture Shock engages families in art and cultural experiences in fresh, fun and exciting ways. Pop-up performances featuring local musicians and artists take place in unique locations – like the local McDonald's, Hurley Medical Center, or the Mass Transportation Authority. Movies Under the Stars was an outdoor movie series held on the lawn of Flint City Hall. In the past year, more than 13,000 people have been exposed to Culture Shock.
St. Luke's N.E.W. Life Center	2014	$16,322.21	The "Clean and Safe Neighborhoods Building Community Pride Project" program focuses on job preparation for men who have not been able to secure employment anywhere else. Some are homeless, some are veterans, and some have served time in prison. The men were trained in a 12 week employment preparation program. Upon successful completion, they were able to use chain saws, riding and push mowers and weed whackers. Paying jobs were then sought out to support their salaries.
Red Ink Flint	2013	$15,246	No Child Left Online is an outdoor program that frees youth from technology – cellphones, tablets and laptop computers – to re-discover the great outdoors. Youth Art Space supports a new arts venue for youth to display their works. The grant resulted in 50 to 75 young artists being able to exhibit their work and approximately 1,200 youth to view it.