Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM)

CEDAM is proud to announce the 2024-2025 cohort of CEDAM’s AmeriCorps Members! These 29 individuals have pledged themselves to one year of national service at nonprofit organizations and municipalities across Michigan. From improving local food systems and providing free tax assistance to developing tutoring programs for youth and adults, the AmeriCorps members are united in their dedication to community development. We are excited to welcome nine new host site organizations and 13 returning host sites. Two of the new host sites (Grow Benzie and Lake Superior Community Partnership) are in northern Michigan and in the Upper Peninsula, expanding the geographic scope of CEDAM’s AmeriCorps. Congratulations to the new cohort of CEDAM’s AmeriCorps!

We are excited to announce the opening of a funding opportunity for organizations looking to expand access to free tax preparation services in their communities! Millions of Michiganders struggle to afford basic necessities. For many, filing a tax return is a critical opportunity to improve their financial well-being. Yet, limited service capacity prevents them from accessing these essential services. This is where you come in! CEDAM is seeking to partner with organizations dedicated to sustainably expanding free tax preparation services and increasing service uptake in their community through September 30, 2025. To be considered, applicants must submit the required materials to Madeleine March-Meenagh ([email protected]) by noon EST on Friday, October 18. To learn more about eligibility and view the Request for Proposals (RFP), visit our website: https://ow.ly/Q7gy50Tpk0e

CEDAM’s week-long Real Estate Development Boot Camp is underway! We’ve got a great group of folks from across the sector - and 67% of our participants are learning about affordable housing development for the first time! By the end of the week, our cohort of emerging developers will better understand the development process, know how to use a proforma and structure a capital stack for a community-focused project of their interest, be connected to experts in the field, and receive concrete feedback on their potential project to support their next steps. An early thank you to: - Ryan Kilpatrick, AICP EDFP for kicking our day off with a great presentation on the history of community development and the policies that have shaped how our neighborhoods are built today - Our sponsors Relentless Care Foundation, Cinnaire, Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI), Walker & Dunlop, Opportunity Resource Fund, IFF (CDFI), and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority - Our host for the week ICCF Community Homes!

Although it is September, CEDAM and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) want to encourage you to apply for the Home Heating Credit (HHC) by filing your taxes by the September 30 deadline. “We encourage Michigan families to claim their Home Heating Credit by the September 30 deadline,” MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said. “Residents must claim it by the deadline, or they will not be eligible and will miss out on the opportunity to receive this credit which could help pay for their utility bills during the colder months.” This year, the average qualifying household received $180 in assistance, which is most often applied directly to residents’ utility bills. Michiganders who meet income requirements and are either renters with a contracted lease or homeowners are eligible for this credit. The only way to ensure that you receive this credit is to file your taxes. Call 211 or visit MichiganFreeTaxHelp.org to find free tax preparation service providers in your area. Read the full press release: https://ow.ly/wy4a50TmoT6

Registration is open for CEDAM’s 2024 Regional Events! This year, CEDAM is hosting two centrally-located regional events: one in Gaylord and the other in Lansing. CEDAM’s regional events provide our members and network at large the opportunity to connect with peers, industry leaders, state agency representatives, and the CEDAM team. From new State housing funding to capacity-building programs, we look forward to sharing resources and initiatives with you that can help advance your work. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is required in advance. The deadline to register for the Gaylord event is September 27. The last day to register for the Lansing event is October 8. We hope to see you at a Regional Event this fall! Register for Gaylord: https://ow.ly/sUMo50Tm52o Register for Lansing: https://ow.ly/ns7v50Tm52r

The MI Healthy Climate (MHC) Corps has extended their deadline for 3 member positions! Environmental Technician with The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan in Sault Ste. Marie School Climate Action Liaison with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy - Environmental Support Division in Lansing Environmental Justice Fellow with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy - Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate in Lansing Being a part of the MHC Corps will provide invaluable training and professional experience to help you launch a successful career in this space. We encourage all those who are interested to apply, especially individuals from historically underserved communities and those on the frontline of climate impacts. Individuals must be 18 years old to serve; no degree or formal work experience is required. The service term runs November 2024-October 2025. The deadline to apply is now 11:59PM on September 17. https://ow.ly/OeK250Tm4ab The MHC Corps is an equity-centered Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy program in partnership with the Michigan Community Service Commission. CEDAM serves as the operating partner.

We are pleased to announce Madeleine March-Meenagh has been promoted to the Director of Economic Inclusion position! As the manager of sustainability & evaluation, Madeleine managed the day-to-day operations of our economic inclusion work, oversaw the coordination of organizational funding sustainability, and provided in-house data analysis and program evaluation. Her exceptional strategic thinking, partnership management, and project management skills make her a perfect fit for this position. We're excited to see her step into this role. Congratulations, Madeleine!

CEDAM is excited to announce the 10 host communities chosen for the 2025-2026 Community Development Fellowship! These communities have identified dynamic projects with themes of housing, public art, marketing, and small business support. Allegan Battle Creek Brooklyn Calumet Cass City Cassopolis Detroit Elk Rapids Roscommon Saginaw CEDAM’s Community Development Fellowship is possible through funding and partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). We look forward to working with them again this cohort to support the communities and incoming fellows through technical assistance and professional development opportunities. The sixth Community Development Fellowship starts in January. Fellow applications open October 14. Learn more: https://ow.ly/uvz550TanoA

Are you interested in supporting climate action and exploring a future in Michigan’s growing climate and energy economy? Time is running out to apply to be a member of the second MI Healthy Climate (MHC) Corps cohort! Several communities, agencies, universities, and nonprofits throughout the state around the state have openings for MHC Corps positions available. Members will help us work toward a just and sustainable future for Michigan and be transformed along the way. As a MHC Corps member, you will: - Provide meaningful capacity support for aligned climate projects in government and nonprofit organizations across the state - Serve as ambassadors of federal and state resources and be available to support partner organizations’ climate efforts - Participate in fellowship building and training as well as professional experiences to develop your skills for the long haul Being a part of the MHC Corps will provide invaluable training and professional experience to help you launch a successful career in this space. We encourage all those who are interested to apply, especially individuals from historically underserved communities and those on the frontline of climate impacts. Individuals must be 18 years old to serve; no degree or formal work experience is required. The service term runs November 2024-October 2025. Hurry! The last day to apply is September 8. https://lnkd.in/gejY-qXU The MHC Corps is an equity-centered Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy program in partnership with the Michigan Community Service Commission. CEDAM serves as the operating partner.

Meet Sharanya! Sharanya started in June and is CEDAM’s new policy manager. She is the final of our summer new-hire interviews. Sharanya comes to CEDAM with a master’s in public policy and a strong background in policy and activism, centering equity, racial justice, and intersectionality in all she does. Prior to joining CEDAM, Sharanya worked at the Child & Adolescent Data Lab and the Center for Racial Justice; she was part of the team that founded The Center. Our communications specialist, Jennifer, interviewed her to get to know her and hear about her experience and motivations in the policy and advocacy field. Read the entire interview on our website: https://ow.ly/6hnv50T971z