William Davidson Foundation Logo
We are a family foundation dedicated to advancing the economic, cultural, and civic vitality of Southeast Michigan, the State of Israel, and the Jewish community.

In The News

Hillel Day School Opens Expanded Early Childhood Center

Hillel Day School held a dedication ceremony for an expansion and renovation of its Early Childhood Center. The ECC will have more space to fill the needs of more families in the community.

The Oakland Press
29 Aug 2019

With Rabbis’ Blessing, Women-for-Tech Program Creates ‘Ripples’ in Haredi World

Led by Start-Up Nation, the Adva pilot project aims to educate young, ultra Orthodox, Israeli women pursuing software engineering jobs.

Times of Israel
28 Aug 2019

Major Improvements in Store for Spirit Plaza in Detroit

The City of Detroit announces upgrades to the newly-permanent downtown public space, Spirit Plaza. The Foundation provided initial resources to Downtown Detroit Partnership to support the design and pilot launch of the plaza in 2017.

The Detroit News
28 Aug 2019

Detroit ‘Month of Design’ to Highlight Inclusivity for 2019

‘Month of Design’ kicks off September 5th to showcase Detroit’s design legacy with events throughout the city.

Curbed Detroit
27 Aug 2019

Venture for America’s Program for Entrepreneurship Taking Root in Detroit

Venture for America dispatched over two hundred new fellows this month to companies in Detroit and four other U.S. cities. 2019 fellows spent the month of July training at Wayne State University to prepare for their two-year assignments.

Crain's Detroit
18 Aug 2019

Atwater Beach Opening Soon, Extending Detroit’s Network of Family Friendly Public Spaces

More than another new attraction in Detroit: Atwater Beach aims to add to the growing number of public spaces in the city. A dream for a greener, walkable Detroit is becoming a reality as plans and planning unfold.

Detroit Free Press
16 Aug 2019

Wayne State’s Urban Innovation District Near New Center Takes Shape

Started in 2014 as a dream for an Innovation District, Wayne State University shows sign of a reality coming to fruition. Leveraging technology to promise an emerging smart city, plans of a refresh for a gathering space will be unveiled in September.

Curbed Detroit
13 Aug 2019

City Leaders Work to Attract and Retain Foreign-Born Entrepreneurs

Detroit seeks to attract and retain foreign-born entrepreneurs through the Global Entrepreneur In Residence (Global EIR) program, working with city leaders in partnership with local universities to connect international student entrepreneurs with visas.

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
8 Aug 2019

Placemaking on a Mission: How Public Space Supports Mission-Driven Organizations in Southeast Michigan

Project for Public Spaces writes on how the Southeast Michigan Placemaking Pilot Initiative is  helping four Detroit area grantees spark new uses of underutilized space.

Project for Public Spaces
8 Aug 2019

The Power of Connection at JPRO10

The JPRO Network hosted JPRO19: What Connects Us, a seminal conference held at Cobo Center in Detroit this year. Hundreds of Jewish professionals from across the world gathered to attend both small and large group workshops, deepen connections, and strengthen their individual capacity to lead.

Forward
5 Aug 2019

The Beginning of a Leadership Journey

Two Detroit rabbis share their experiences as members of the seventh cohort of the Rabbinic Leadership Initiative (RLI) of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem.

The Jewish News
29 Jul 2019

Harold Grinspoon: A Hand’s-on Philanthropist Still Going Strong at Age 90

For Harold Grinspoon, turning 90 this year, Jewish funding and PJ Library are parts of a legacy that came out of realizing life was about “more than making money.”

Inside Philanthropy
24 Jul 2019

Report: Southeast Michigan has Hundreds of Entrepreneur Support Groups, but Collaboration Needed

A new report released by the New Economy Initiative reveals a broad network of support for those wishing to start and grow businesses in the Detroit area.

Crain's Detroit
20 Jun 2019

Design team’s ‘boldness’ wins competition to reshape Detroit’s cultural district

A winning team in the international competition to reshape and create a partnership between 12 Cultural Center institutions in Detroit was chosen and announced. The design competition was initiated by the Detroit Institute of Arts in partnership with Midtown Detroit, Inc. 

The Detroit News
8 Jun 2019

Grow Detroit by supporting local, midsize business, report urges

Endeavor Insight releases report that explores local entrepreneurship and ideas for growth strategies after analyzing over 10,000 companies in Southeast Michigan.

Crain's Detroit Business
27 May 2019