The Gift

credit: Wikimedia Commons

When Detroit's historic North End was being ravaged by blight, Patrick Bouchain and Jean Louis Farges decided to turn a abandoned warehouse into a community library.

But instead of accepting a $250,000 grant from the philanthropic foundation that had offered it, Bouchain and Farges returned the money.

"It was a sobering declaration that the complexities of producing social impact design within communities marred by long-standing neglect, and highlighted the nuanced, occasionally fraught, nexus between philanthropy and the practice of architecture and urban design," they write at the Detroit Free Press.

"Thus, this story is as much about a project that never was as it is about ongoing discussions of the role of design in fostering social change, the stewardship of philanthropic resources, and the often challenging, contested paths to positive urban transformation," they continue.

Bouchain and Farges say they wanted to create a place where people could learn, work, and play.

But in Detroit, "the promise of collectivity and democratic resource distribution persistently clashes with reality," they write.

"The local government, stretched thin across a vast urban territory in decline, is ill-equipped to provide the very basics: public education, stable housing, transportation, and access to healthcare for its residents."

So they turned to Detroit-based nonprofit Const

Read the Entire Article

A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.

How's Your Community Doing?
Check Out it's
Community Vital Signs

State Grant Helps Support Clean Energy Jobs For Disadvantaged Young Adults

State grant helps support clean energy jobs for disadvantaged young adults.An award of $500,000 was given to the Social Enterprise and Training Center, also known as the SEAT center.The program helps...more

The Weeknd Receives Big Honour From the Toronto City

The Weeknd was awarded the Key to the City and honoured with The Weeknd Weekend by the City of Toronto.The ceremony was attended by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, youth from the Boys & Girls Club of West...more

Zte Launches Children Care Charity Campaign in Thailand

The initiative saw ZTE donate essential supplies and digital connectivity solutions worth 1 million THB to a Public charity organization, Baan Nokkamin Foundation.This foundation provides foster...more

How One Brave Boy's Journey Is Being Carried by Compassion, Innovation, and Hope

13-year-old Ricky was diagnosed with leukemia for the second time in his young life.Traditional medications were failing, and Ricky's doctor dismissed the recently approved stem cell treatments...more

Hatch Fest 2025 Boosts Local Economy While Celebrating Art &Amp; Innovation

Notably, this was the first Children's Entrepreneur Market event held in the country.HATCH Fest honored Juneteenth with three public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation by local community...more

Children-Focused Salon Experiences : Sit Still Kids

Sit Still Kids Salon Opens in Atlanta's Peachtree Battle neighborhood.Salons specifically designed for children are evolving to provide tailored services for kids with diverse needs.Businesses are...more

Debit Cards Issued by Nyc's Summer Youth Job Program Tied to $17 M Atm Fraud Scam

Debit cards issued by NYC's summer youth job program tied to $17 M ATM fraud scam: sources.The scam led to ATMS across the Big Apple being banged for big bucks from July 11-13.The cash ended up in...more

Paul Petruska

The passing of my father was a transformative moment for me.This perspective shift is why I now dedicate much of my energy to youth programs and community development.I've leaned heavily on...more

Compassionate Contact Corps in Need of Arkansas Volunteers

Dobbs announced the need for volunteers at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System for Compassionate Contact Corps.Volunteers are matched with veterans that are experiencing loneliness or are...more

Jefferson Parish Young Marines Receive Honors At National Leadership Academy

Jefferson Parish Young Marines receive national honors.Sgt.Taylor Science and Technology Academy, was named the Honor Graduate for the Young Marines 2025 National Leadership Academy-Senior Leadership...more