LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has received a $150,000 grant from the Leinweber Foundation dedicated to general operating support. The grant will increase MCAN’s capacity to improve postsecondary attainment in Michigan, promote equity and build the network of partners committed to expanding college access across the state.
“The Leinweber Foundation is glad to extend its support for a second year and further aid MCAN’s great work helping students gain postsecondary access and earn college degrees,” said Ashley Leinweber, vice president of the Leinweber Foundation. “Increasing the number of graduates and building the talent pool in the state of Michigan is incredibly important to the Leinweber Foundation, and it’s wonderful that MCAN continues to strive to increase college readiness and completion for students across the state. We hope our gift toward MCAN’s operations will empower it to continue its efforts and reach the goal of 60% college attainment by 2030.”
This year’s grant marks the second from the Leinweber Foundation, and an increase from $100,000 of support in 2021. Last year, the Leinweber Foundation’s grant supported MCAN’s College Completion Corps initiative, which places AmeriCorps members on college campuses across Michigan.
“We are grateful for the Leinweber Foundation and its executive director, Jessica Leinweber, for their sustained partnership in working toward Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of MCAN. “Through the Leinweber Foundation’s support, we can continue our relentless work to ensure that every student in Michigan has the opportunity to attend college — especially low-income students, first-generation college-going students and students of color.”
ABOUT THE LEINWEBER FOUNDATION
The Leinweber Foundation is a Michigan-based family foundation dedicated to advancing their local community and broader society by investing in three key mission areas: Research, Education and Community. The foundation seeks to support innovative and impactful research, expand access to education for students from underserved and rural areas, and support the health and vitality of their community and beyond. The foundation is guided by the values of founder Larry D. Leinweber and his innate curiosity and unwavering commitment to learning and personal growth. They strive to support initiatives that reflect his core principles of curiosity, hard work, perseverance, personal responsibility and compassion, with an emphasis on programs that empower individuals and foster self-reliance. For more information, visit leinweberfoundation.org.
Michigan-based family foundation increases grant to MCAN in second year of funding