Good evening, everyone:

There was a welcome announcement this morning that MacKenzie Scott has given $9 million in grants to Detroit (and one Ann Arbor) nonprofits as part of a package of $640 in grants to some 363 nonprofits. That includes $2 million apiece to the Downtown Boxing Gym, the Detroit Justice Foundation, Detroit People’s Platform, and Out Literary Arts, and $1 million to the 5Avalon Healing Center. Her generosity continues to be inspiring.

Scott also made a transformational grant earlier this month to an organization that played a central role in our 2023 Board meeting in New Orleans: Café Reconcile. I wanted to underscore just how important this gift will be.

When we traveled to New Orleans, we had the pleasure of having lunch with a group of panelists at the Café, a 25-year-old nonprofit located in Center City that provides training in all aspects of restaurant operations to young people – ages 16-24.  Last year, 127 students/interns worked at the café.

A Café Reconcile intern signs up for an 18-month paid engagement, 14 of which involve directly working the food side of the business. Upon completing their tour, they receive $500 and can earn industry certifications. All the restaurant’s profits go to the interns’ stipends, learning opportunities, and other supports.  It is at once a remarkable job training vehicle, community anchor, and culinary delight – the New York Times named it as one of the 25 best restaurants in New Orleans, quite a recognition in a food oasis.

So, it was a joy to read last week that Café Reconcile received a $4 million gift from MacKenzie Scott. That amount of money is remarkable at any time for any organization, but it has particular import for Reconcile. It is the largest gift in their history, giving the organization a savings account for the first time.

The head chef, Martha Wiggins recently told Chelsea Brasted of Axios: “The restaurant’s really a tool for practicing the life skills they’re learning here, so they’re learning coping mechanisms to deal with whatever might be difficult for them. It’s also helping to remove barriers for them, which may be housing, childcare, health, mental health.”

Such a pleasure to read about philanthropy serving such a very important supporting role. Deep gratitude to MacKenzie Scott – and to our American Cities team, which introduced us to such an extraordinary organization.

Rip

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