What We Do

Looking Ahead

Communities thrive when there is a coordinated, cross sector approach to problem solving. Now more than ever, we need business, government, education and nonprofits to break down silos, look beyond municipal boundary lines and work together toward shared goals.

Advancing Macomb will continue to provide the leadership and resources needed to ignite collaboration and solve community challenges. We will do this by being a voice for philanthropic giving, build capacity of the social impact sector, and be a champion for initiatives that bring sustainable solutions to our communities.

Community Initiatives

Advancing Macomb works to create partnerships and collaborations to enhance our Macomb County communities. We focus on community development projects that help spur ideas and strategies for creating positive change and community engagement.

Pedestrian Bridge Over Clinton River Spillway

Advancing Macomb was awarded a $1 million grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to build a bicycle and
pedestrian bridge over the Clinton River Spillway in Harrison Township. The grant was awarded in partnership with the Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development. It will be added to other funding sources to complete the project. The
estimated cost for this project is $3.5 million, and construction is expected to begin in 2025. The project also includes a multi-use path along Jefferson Avenue in the township.

Cascade in the Shade

Cascade in the Shade, an artistic community play fountain at Shadyside Park in Mount Clemens, was a community effort between Advancing Macomb, the City of Mount Clemens and the Anton Art Center to provide more opportunities for play in underutilized parks.

The fountain was designed to inspire generational play and community belonging. Residents participated in every aspect of the project from design to fundraising and construction. The community will continue to play an integral role in the future upkeep and improvement of the project.

Advancing Macomb secured a Play Everywhere Design Challenge grant through the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and KABOOM! for the project. An additional $40,000 was secured through a successful crowd-funding campaign and matched by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) program.

94 ft of Possibility

While for some, a basketball court is simply a space to play a game, for others, it is 94 feet of possibility. However, without equipment, proper maintenance, and other barriers to entry, there is less opportunity for kids and the wider community to play. By leveraging a donation of basketballs from the Detroit Pistons with funding from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, we can provide the safe equipment needed to encourage youth and their caregivers to get outside, in their own neighborhoods and make these gathering spaces a source of community pride.

Read More

Play Everywhere!

With funding from KABOOM! and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, in addition to partnerships with The Art Center, City of Mount Clemens and Macomb Family YMCA, Advancing Macomb brought four interactive murals designed to invoke play in everyday places to downtown Mount Clemens.

This placemaking project has instilled a sense of pride and hope for residents and visitors alike.

Project Play

To further champion the Aspen Institute Project Play initiative and funding from the Community Foundation for Southeast MI and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Advancing Macomb led a partnership alliance in Mount Clemens to launch a year-round program that increases access to youth recreation through free play and sports sampling. Our partnership alliance, including the city, YMCA of Metro Detroit, TCB Youth Mentoring, Mount Clemens Public Library and LK St. Clair Soccer, launched the program in February 2020. During the pandemic the alliance gave over 2,000 play packs with sports equipment to Mount Clemens youth. The cornerstone of the initiative also includes a pilot program called SportPort. This mobile lending library of sports equipment, is currently available for youth at no cost and programming will resume once health mandates are lifted.

Nonprofit Collaboration

Advancing Macomb recognizes the critical role nonprofit organizations play in solving community challenges and improving quality of life in our county and region. As a result, we are focusing on facilitating collaboration and building capacity in our nonprofit sector. In March 2020, we began the Macomb County Nonprofit Roundtable (see more HERE) to give nonprofits a platform to collaborate and learn together. We are proud to continue to provide this professional development and networking opportunity at no cost to the organizations.

View Resources

Let's Talk

25 North Main Street
Mount Clemens, MI 48043

(586) 651-0055

info@advancingmacomb.com

About Us

Staff & Board of Directors

Our Supporters

Resource Directory

Events

Nonprofit Roundtable Sessions

Donate

Volunteer

Nonprofits

Government

Business

What We DoLeveraging Leadership & Strengthening Communities

Looking Ahead

Community Initiatives