Hudson-Webber Foundation

03/12/2026

The Hudson-Webber Foundation (HWF) is proud to invest $200,000 in seed funding to help launch City of Detroit Government’s first-ever Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety, a major step forward in advancing a holistic, public-health approach to violence prevention. At the news conference, HWF VP of Programs Michael Shaw joined Mayor Mary Sheffield as she signed the executive order officially establishing the office.

The new office will serve as a central hub to coordinate Detroit’s violence prevention efforts across departments, focusing on:

⏩ Community Violence Intervention (CVI)
⏩ Conflict resolution & restorative practices
⏩ Survivor advocacy & reentry support
⏩ Domestic & intimate partner violence prevention

Detroit’s CVI work, originally launched with philanthropic support, including significant involvement from HWF, is already showing strong results.

This is what partnership looks like. Safer neighborhoods. Stronger communities. A healthier Detroit.

More info here: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2026/02/23/mary-sheffield-office-of-neighborhood-community-safety/88822219007/

03/10/2026

Our partners at Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) are hosting a FREE webinar Thursday, Mar 26 at 10 a.m. Participants will be introduced to the Neighborhood Vitality Index (NVI), a first-of-its-kind, free and accessible data resource created by and for Detroiters.

The NVI Opener equips Community Development Leaders and nonprofits with practical tools to translate community data into:

⏩ Powerful storytelling
⏩ Stronger funding proposals
⏩ Smarter strategies
⏩ Sustainable impact

During this virtual training, you will learn how to:

⏩ Access Detroit neighborhood-level data in minutes
⏩ Identify patterns across schools, safety, parks, healthcare, and city services
⏩ Translate data into strategy that strengthens your work

🔗 Learn More & Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/nviopener

02/20/2026

This Black History Month, Hudson-Webber Foundation (HWF) honors Detroit, a city shaped by Black leadership, culture and resilience.

As a majority-Black city, Detroit’s story is inseparable from the contributions of Black Americans who have helped build, move and transform this country. From the rise of the auto industry to the world-changing sound of Motown Records, from neighborhood entrepreneurs to civil rights leaders who pushed the nation closer to its ideals, Black Detroiters have long driven progress both locally and nationally.

HWF is proud to stand alongside grantee partners like the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Black Leaders Detroit and the Detroit Justice Center, who work every day to advance justice, opportunity and belonging.

We celebrate the legacy, resilience and brilliance that have defined and built our city, and we reaffirm our commitment to a future that reflects the strength and possibility of Detroit’s Black community.

02/10/2026

Hudson-Webber Foundation, the Place of the Grant Giving in Detroit

CEO Donald Rencher Shares the Work That Happens Between the Headlines

01/20/2026

The Hudson-Webber Foundation has approval $900,000 in new grants to empower nonprofits across metro Detroit. These grants will support innovative programs that make a real impact on our communities.

Congratulations to: , Citizens Research Council of Michigan, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Detroit Public Safety Foundation and Michigan League for Public Policy. Together, we’re driving positive change and addressing the evolving needs of Detroit. Read more here: https://hudson-webber.org/in-the-news/

01/16/2026

Detroit’s future rises higher when it’s shaped by the people who call it home.

Over the next month, the Rise Higher Detroit initiative aims to hear from thousands of residents across the city. Your input will directly inform Mayor Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield’s governing agenda, helping guide how city resources are allocated and how services are delivered.

This is a real opportunity to influence the decisions that shape your daily life.

Share your perspective by taking the inclusive community survey or by joining one of five public Community Conversations happening throughout February and March.

Scan the QR code or visit RiseHigherDetroit.com/survey to weigh in on neighborhood improvements, safety, trust, economic opportunity, education and transparency in Detroit.

Your voice matters. Let’s rise higher, together.

01/08/2026

With deep gratitude, the Hudson-Webber Foundation thanks Jean Hudson Witmer for 17 years of dedicated service on our Board of Trustees. Her thoughtful leadership, steady guidance, and unwavering commitment to our mission helped shape our strategic direction and strengthen our impact across Detroit and the region.

Jean’s legacy of service and stewardship will be felt for years to come. At the Hudson-Webber Foundation, we are truly thankful for her lasting influence.

12/29/2025

As we reflect on this past year, we at the Hudson-Webber Foundation, are deeply grateful for your unwavering commitment to our mission to enhance the quality of life for Detroit residents. Through our focus areas—Arts & Culture, Built Environment, Community & Economic Development and Safe & Just Communities—your support and the power of collective action make a meaningful difference in our community. Together, we are building a brighter, stronger and more equitable future for our city.

Please note that our offices are currently closed and will reopen on January 5. We wish you a joyous holiday season and look forward to continuing this important work with you in the new year.

12/24/2025

HWF President & CEO Donald Rencher and the Hudson-Webber Foundation are proud to be featured in Holidays at Hudson’s, a nostalgic Detroit PBS special celebrating the iconic Hudson’s Department Store. The program revisits the magic, traditions and community spirit that made Hudson’s a beloved gathering place for generations of Detroiters, and a lasting symbol of downtown Detroit’s vibrancy. Watch the Detroit PBS special here: https://to.pbs.org/4pbSl07.

Detroit Remembers When: Holidays at Hudson's

12/22/2025

In alignment with its commitment to equity and community well-being, the Hudson-Webber Foundation staff participated in a day of service supporting Detroit residents experiencing homelessness.

The HWF team volunteered at Noah at Central, located at the Central United Methodist Church Detroit at the corner of Woodward and Adams in downtown Detroit. For more than 25 years, Noah at Central has been a trusted source of support for Detroit’s homeless community, providing warm meals, essential resources and a welcoming environment grounded in dignity and respect.

Through this volunteer effort, Hudson-Webber Foundation staff worked alongside Noah at Central’s dedicated team to engage directly with community members, listen to their experiences, and help meet immediate needs. The day of service highlighted the power of partnership and compassion in strengthening communities, and reaffirmed HWF’s ongoing commitment to supporting organizations that uplift Detroit and advance equity across the city.

12/05/2025

The Hudson-Webber Foundation was once again thrilled to take part in America’s Thanksgiving Parade as tens of thousands lined Woodward Avenue to celebrate this cherished Detroit tradition.

President & CEO Donald Rencher, along with Michael Shaw, Hudson family representatives, and members of the HWF team proudly accompanied our float—honoring the legacy of the former Hudson’s Department Store and its beloved employees.

Donald also joined WJR Radio and WOMC Detroit to share more about HWF’s participation in this year’s parade. Catch the conversations here:
🔗 WJR: https://bit.ly/48HwXJX
🔗 WOMC: https://bit.ly/4aAa39V

11/25/2025

We are proud to announce that HWF President and CEO Donald Rencher has been appointed co-chair of the Philanthropic Services policy committee for Detroit Mayor-elect Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield’s transition team.

Donald will serve alongside co-chair Laura Grannemann, executive director of Rocket Community Fund, as part of the Rise Higher Detroit Transition team.

The transition team includes 18 committees working together to shape policy recommendations and set key priorities for the administration’s first 100 days. The Philanthropic Services Committee will play a vital role in aligning civic and philanthropic partners with the city’s vision for equitable growth.

Congratulations to Donald and all of the talented leaders joining this important effort.