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Board of Directors

Officers

Board of Directors

Stewardship Council

image 20100617140955 stewardship council 600The Stewardship Council is composed of representatives from each of the MotorCities Stewardship Communities.The council convenes regularly to share information and strategies to better tell the story of auto and labor history in their communities across Southeast Michigan. MotorCities Stewardship Communities include Detroit River, Downriver, Flint, Irish Hills, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Lower Rouge, Lower Woodward, Macomb, Middle Rouge, Saginaw, Upper Woodward,  and Ypsilanti. If you are interested in becoming a stewardship representative, feel free to contact Brian Yopp at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at (313) 259-3425 ext 307.


 

 

Leadership Council

Thank you for your interest in supporting the MotorCities National Heritage Area.

Click Here to Make a Donation Now Via Network For Good

Your support helps preserve the story of how auto and labor helped create the middle class; how the region’s tinkerers became titans; and how the MotorCities National Heritage Area transformed manufacturing worldwide.

There are a variety of ways in which you can support MotorCities' mission. As a non-profit, we need your help to preserve the important and dynamic story of how southeast Michigan “Put the World on Wheels!”

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Internal Revenue Service recognizes MotorCities National Heritage Area Partnership, Inc. as a Section 501(c)(3) public charity. Gifts tax deductible in the U.S.A. Our Federal Tax ID # is 13-1635294

Renaissance Center

Download our brochure.

Download our General Management Plan (executive summary).

VISION
MotorCities National Heritage Area Partnership inspires residents and visitors with an appreciation for how the automobile changed Michigan, the nation, and the world.  This rich heritage will be a source of pride for our communities and a positive influence on our region’s future.

MISSION
The MotorCities National Heritage Area Partnership is a nonprofit corporation that is part of the National Heritage Area System of the National Park Service.  We preserve, interpret and promote the region’s rich automotive and labor heritage in a way that is diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible.

LOCATION
National Heritage Areas are places where natural, cultural, historic and scenic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape arising from patterns of humanity.  The MotorCities National Heritage Area encompasses over 10,000 square miles in southeast and central Michigan.  The Partnership’s administrative headquarters are in Detroit.

Welcome to the MotorCities Challenge and Mini Grant Program

STEP exhibit RESIZED 600A MotorCities grant supported an exhibit of auto history-related art pieces by young people with disabilities at the Peace Gallery in Detroit, in conjunction with Services to Enhance Potential of Westland.

Projects must be largely automobile and/or labor heritage related and must deal with: Revitalization of our historic automotive and labor structures through preservation, Interpretation efforts which attempt to tell the story to a broad audience, Education activities which engage a specific audience and creates increased appreciation of our heritage and heritage tourism projects which promote the region and its heritage activities. 

The Challenge Grant Program funds projects up to $25,000.

Funds must be matched, but match can include cash, in-kind, donated goods and volunteer services. 

Projects which exemplify diversity, equity and inclusion will receive preference.

 

If you have a smaller project in mind we have a mini-grant program which does not require match and funds projects up to $1,500.  Click here to learn more about the mini-grants.

 

  

 

The Challenge Grant cycle is a rolling submission. Applications can be submitted at any time.  Review will occur quarterly with awards announced by 9/15 (for applications submit by 8/16).



BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION HERE

 

For new potential applicants, please review the previous grant training session AND contact MotorCities Grant Coordinator, Brian Yopp (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 313.259.3425 x 307) prior to submitting an application.

 

 

The following are examples of some of our most recent Challenge Grants:  

  • The Automotive Hall of Fame (Dearborn): Supporting a series of four events devoted to the history and innovations of Hall of Fame honorees -- $10,000.
  • Detroit Historical Society: Supporting the upcoming “Body By Fisher” exhibit and programming -- $10,000;
  • Fair Lane, The Home of Clara & Henry Ford (Dearborn): Supporting updating and replacing 19 outdoor interpretive signs – $2,584;
  • Flint Cultural Center Corporation: supporting the research and development of programs in conjunction with the upcoming Vehicle City Gallery at the Sloan Museum of Discovery -- $9,696.76;
  • Ford Piquette Avenue Plant (Detroit): supporting the development and installation of an interactive exhibit about the Milwaukee Junction district -- $2,800;
  • Model A Ford Foundation (Irmo, SC): supporting the development and installation of an interactive Ford Model A chassis exhibit at the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners -- $3,000;
  • Packard Motor Car Foundation (Shelby Township): supporting three different revitalization projects at the Packing Proving Grounds (PPG) site -- $10,000;

 

The following are the latest recipients of our mini-grant program:

  • Detroit School of Arts: Supporting the sixth annual Midtown Auto Show, an opportunity for students to learn about automotive careers -- $1,500;
  • Engineering Society of Detroit (Southfield):  Supporting the continued production of the organization’s “SciEngiMathePloration” children’s television show -- $1,500;
  • Ford Piquette Avenue Plant (Detroit): Supporting the installation of a video kiosk and map near the guest entrance -- $1,500;
  • Genesee County Historical Society (Flint): Supporting the creation of a digital education program utilizing iPads and video -- $1,500;
  • Packard Proving Grounds (Shelby Township): Supporting the production of the organization’s first interactive display about Packard’s engineering expertise --$1,500;
  • Partnership for the Arts and Humanities (Canton): Supporting production of two new Wayside Signs telling the story of the Cherry Hill Ford Village Industry-- $1,500.

If you have any addtional questions, please contact the MotorCities Challenge Grant Program Coordinator:
Brian Yopp at 313.259.3425 x 307 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Some Tips:

Use the PDF version of grant application as a guide for elements of the grant that you should prepare prior to beginning the online process.

You can save your progress at any point throughout the process by clicking the “Save Progress & Resume Later” link. The 'Save Progress feature will not retain uploaded attachments.  Please upload attachments  as the final step when you are ready to submit.

Please maintain a back-up document in case there is an issue with retrieving your work.

Documents can be uploaded as doc,docx, xls, xlsx, and pdf formats

Useful Documents:

If you missed the grant training webnar, click here to view the full session.

Challenge Grant Application PDF version (for reference only.  Only applications submitted via the online system will be considered.)

Financial Guidelines

Reporting:

If you have received a grant award you must use these tools to request reimbursement and to close out your project.

Reimbursement Request Form- Download and complete based on the period of time that you are requesting.  Return the form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in Excel format along with a PDF of all canceled checks, timesheets, paystubs or additional means used to support the paid expenses detailed on your form.  

Performance Measure Report  (Due 60 days after end of grant or by 11/15 of each calendar year).

Partner Feedback Survey  (Due 60 days after completion of project).