About the Annual Program
Started in 2002 as a component of the Capital Region Community Foundation, the Uplift Our Youth Fund has awarded more than $160,000 in grants to several community-based organizations/agencies that have been able to provide programs that benefit youth.
From the beginning, the Uplift Our Youth Fund – and now the Uplift Our Youth Foundation – has benefitted from the support of many community leaders in the Lansing area. Our Board of Directors represents a cross-section of our community, including business, academia, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. The Annual Program that is hosted every year is a special time where we celebrate those organizations/agencies in our communities that focus on making an impact on our youth as well as award Grants to some of those organizations as well.
2018 Guest Speaker
Roger Groves
Visiting Professor at Florida A&M College of Law
Currently teaching at a Florida law school, business, sports business and economics, international business transactions. Summer home in Portland Oregon. So while in Florida, beach he teaches plays the keyboard to exhale.
Founder of the Center for Sports and Social Entrepreneurship because pooling major money for transformative effects on whole underserved communities is also a form of giving back – especially when you remember that the difference between you and many who now struggle is an opportunity, including the unearned blessing of great parents.
See http://center4players.com/ and Twitter at @rgroveslaw. Blog for Forbes on the business of sports.
2018 Youth Advocate of the Year
Bryan Beverly, Ph.D
Acting Director, K-12 Outreach
He holds a Ph. D. in Educational Policy from Michigan State
Dr. Beverly is currently the Acting Director of the Office of K-12 Outreach in the College of Education – where his work is centered on school turnaround efforts and instructional leadership. Prior to returning to MSU for his
His other professional experiences include work with the President’s Council of State Universities, Michigan; the State of Michigan, Office of the Governor; GEAR-UP, MSU; and the Michigan Association of Counties. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Anthropology from Olivet College and a master’s degree in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education Administration from Michigan State University.
Past Award Recipiants
2007 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Black Child & Family Institute – $3,500
MI Foundation for Education Leadership – $1,000
Inspirational Ministries – $1,500
Gateway Community Services $2,000.00
Westside YMCA $2,000.00
2008 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center – $1,500
Worship Without Words – $2,000
Antioch Cares Community Development Corp. – $1,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region – $1,500
Ele’s Place – $1,500
Boys & Girls Club of Lansing – $2,500
2009 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity ETS Chapter Educational Fund – $1,500
St. Stephen’s Community Church – Community Outreach Center – $1,500
Antioch Cares Community Development Corp. – $500
Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region – $1,000
The Turning Point Lansing – $1,500
Lansing Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation – $1,500
Northwest Initiative – $1,500
Black Child & Family Institute – $1,500
Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center – $500
Worship Without Words – $1,500
2010 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center – $1,500
D.A.N.C.E, Inc.
(Developing & Nurturing Community Empowerment) – $1,800
Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region – $1,000
Eastside Community Action Center – $1,200
Closing the Digital Gap – $500 Black Child & Family Institute – $2,000
Capital Area Golf for Youth, Inc. – $1,000
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity ETS Chapter Educational Fund – $1,000
2011 GRANT RECIPIENTS
St. Stephen’s Community Church – $1,200
Highfields, Inc. – $1,200 Dream and Vision Manifested – $1,000
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity – $1,500
Black Child & Family Institute – $2,000
Boys and Girls Clubs of Lansing – $2,000
Eastside Community Action Center – $1,100
2012 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Lansing College Access Network – $1,000
Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center – $1,000
Southside Community Coalition – $1,000
The Turning Point of Lansing – $1,500
Kids Repair Program – $750
New Mount Calvary Baptist Church – $1,000
Reach Studio Art Center – $750
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan – $1,000
Capital Area Literacy Coalition – $1,000
Northwest Lansing Health Communities Initiative – $1,000
2013 AWARDS
Kids Repair Program – $1,000
St. Stephen’s Community Church – $1,000
The Turning Point of Lansing – $2,500
Child and Family Services of Michigan, Inc. – $500
Highfields, Inc. – $2,500
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Epsilon Tau Sigma – $2,000
2014 AWARDS
Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center – $1,400
Child and Family Services of Michigan, Inc. – $1,000
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan – $1,400
ITEC – $1,000
Kids Repair Program – $1,200
Lansing Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation, Inc. – $2,000
St Stephen’s Community Church – $2,000
2015 GRANT RECIPIENT
Boys & Girls Club of Lansing – $2,000
Child and Family Services of Michigan, Inc. – $2,500
Kids Repair Program – $1,200
Kendon Elementary School – $2,000
New Mount Calvary Baptist Church – $2,300
2016 GRANT RECIPIENT
Building Child & Family Initiatives – $2,000
Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center – $2,000
Eastside Community Action Center – $1,600
Kids Repair Program – $1,400
The Carol J. Greer Community Center – $3,000
2017 GRANT RECIPIENT
Kids Turning Corners, Inc – $2000
Building Child & Family Initiatives – $1500
Village Summit – $2500
Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence – $2000
Eastside Community Center – $2000
Lansing Art Gallery, Inc – $1000
Gridiron Summer Institute – $1000