DIRECTOR PORTAL
Margaret Dunning Foundation
Margaret Dunning Foundation

Grants List

Since the passing of Ms. Dunning in 2015, the Board of Directors has fulfilled her legacy of giving by awarding the following grants:
2025 Grants
Corewell Health FoundationEquipment for four school-based teen health centers
$22,000
Detroit Historical SocietyFacility improvements to document its automobile collection$27,000
First StepFacility improvements at its Wayne shelter$50,000
Methodist Children’s Home Society A playground at its child welfare facility in Redford$50,000
Plymouth-Canton Community SchoolsRenovations to the student radio station’s studio at Salem High School$25,000
Plymouth Historical SocietyFacility renovations$30,000
South Redford School DistrictEquipment and facility renovations at the auto shop at Thurston High School$55,000
Vista MariaA vehicle for youth transport$30,000
South Lake SchoolsEquipment for the automotive program at South Lake High School $30,000
Gilda’s Club Metro Facility improvements at its Detroit location$12,000
Hartland Consolidated Schools Automotive equipment upgrades at Hartland High School $70,000
Community Housing Network Basic needs for families with unstable housing in western Wayne County $10,000
New Haven Community SchoolsEquipment for the automotive program at New Haven High School $36,000
Wayne-Westland Community Schools Equipment for the automotive program at the William D. Ford Career-Technical Center $26,000
Friends of the Penn Facility renovations at the Penn Theatre$90,000
2024 Grants
Corewell Health FoundationFacility renovations and new equipment at three school-based teen health centers$21,000
Dearborn Public SchoolsAutomotive equipment for Fordson High School$36,000
Eastern Michigan University Foundation A statewide high school automotive and transportation skills competition$20,000
Ecorse Public SchoolsEquipment for the automotive technician program at Ecorse High School$50,000
Kettering UniversityFacility improvements for its automotive and transportation engineering lab$40,000
Livonia Public Schools Electrical and electronic training equipment for the Automotive Technology Program at the Livonia Career Technical Center$40,000
Model T Automotive Heritage Complex Facility renovations at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum$53,000
Plymouth Historical SocietyFacility improvements and exhibit renovations$90,000
Automotive Hall of FameFacility improvements$55,000
Lenawee Intermediate School DistrictAutomotive equipment for the LISD Tech Center$37,000
Roots Montessori SchoolEquipment and supplies to establish a school library$32,000
South Redford School DristrictAutomotive tools and equipment for Thurston High School$50,000
TechForce FoundationTechnical education for transportation and automotive technicians in western Wayne County$25,000
Vision To LearnEye exams and eyeglasses for low-income students in Redford Township$100,000
Flint Institute of Science and History
Facility improvements and a new classic car exhibit at the Sloan Museum
$57,000
Friends of the Penn
Facility renovations at the Penn Theatre
$8,000
Lakeview Schools
Student tool kits for the automotive program at Lakeview High School$60,000
Living and Learning Enrichment Center
Security improvements$100,000
Plymouth-Canton Schools
A tire changer and electric vehicle equipment for the Plymouth-Canton Advanced Automotive Training Center$43,000
South Lake Schools
A scissor lift for the automotive program at South Lake High School$41,000
Wayne-Westland Community SchoolsEquipment for the automotive program at the William D. Ford Career-Technical Center$42,000
Wyandotte Public Schools
Automotive equipment at Theodore Roosevelt High School$25,000
Arc of Northwest Wayne County
Support for replacing its HVAC system$50,000
Community Opportunity Center
Facility renovations at its group home in Plymouth Township$50,000
Henry Ford College Foundation
Automotive equipment at Henry Ford College$42,000
2023 Grants
Eastern Michigan University Foundation Support for a statewide high school automotive and transportation skills competition $38,000
Hegira HealthSupport for facility improvements at its substance use recovery center in Canton $41,000
Oakland SchoolsEquipment upgrades to automotive technology programs in 10 schools in Oakland County $59,000
Oakland SchoolsSupport for a master-level automotive training program at the Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northeast $66,000
Sanilac Intermediate School District Tire-balancing equipment at the Sanilac Career Center $22,000
Wyandotte Public Schools Automotive equipment at Theodore Roosevelt High School $35,000
Friends of the Penn Facility renovations at the Penn Theatre$19,000
Hartland Consolidated Schools Automotive equipment upgrades at Hartland High School$41,000
Macomb Community College Foundation Electric vehicle tools and equipment$44,000
Plymouth Community Arts Council Safety and accessibility facility improvements$14,000
Redford Interfaith Relief Facility improvements$73,000
Arc of NW Wayne County Facility improvements$50,000
Lake Orion Public Schools Automotive equipment upgrades at Lake Orion High School$30,000
Wayne County Community College DistrictEquipment for use in electrical engineering, mechatronics technology, and automotive programs$27,000
Junior Achievement of Southeastern MichiganEducational programming in western Wayne County schools$10,000
Canton Community FoundationSoftware and website upgrades$11,000
Growth WorksTwo passenger vans$80,000
Vista MariaFacility renovations$35,000
2022 Grants
Friends of the RougePurchase of a truck for river restoration work$45,000
Hegira HealthSupport facility improvements at its behavior health clinic in Westland$15,000
Oakland SchoolsEquipment upgrades to Automotive Technology Programs in 10 schools$90,000
Plymouth Community Arts CouncilImprovements to the exterior of its facilities$32,000
Vista MariaCrisis de-escalation room for girls recovering from trauma$30,000
Salvation Army, Eastern Michigan DivisionSummer day camp at its Plymouth Corps$30,000
Chippewa Valley SchoolsEquipment upgrades to the Automotive Technology program at Chippewa Valley High $36,000
Educational Excellence FoundationPurchase of a training package, including equipment and curriculum, to build a real electric vehicle for the Plymouth-Canton Advanced Automotive Training Center $57,000
Ecorse Public Schools Equipment for its automotive technician program $35,000
Junior AchievementEducational programming in western Wayne County$10,000
Plymouth District LibraryTechnology updates in the community meeting rooms $50,000
Redford Interfaith ReliefFacility improvements$30,000
ARC of Northwest Wayne CountyAn educational advocacy program for children with special needs$35,000
Community Opportunity CenterFacility renovations at its Plymouth and Redford Opportunity Houses$85,000
New Haven Community SchoolsEquipment upgrades for the automotive program at New Haven High School$36,000
New Hope Center for Grief SupportEarly grief programming$50,000
South Redford School DistrictEquipment for a new automotive program at Thurston High School$190,000
Plymouth Historical SocietyRenovation of railroad depot exhibit$65,000
2021 Grants
The Arc of NW Wayne CountyOffice technology upgrades$16,000
Farmington Public SchoolsTorque certification program at North Farmington High School$32,000
Growth WorksFaçade renovations at Plymouth location $26,000
Kettering UniversityEquipment to study autonomous vehicles$60,000
Redford Interfaith ReliefNew roof installation$75,000
Plymouth PARCReplace pool HVAC system$200,000
Allen Park Public SchoolsWheel alignment machine at Allen Park High School$29,000
College for Creative StudiesAdvanced summer school program in auto design$320,000
Educational Excellence FoundationWelding equipment at Plymouth-Canton Advanced Automotive Training Center$57,000
Livonia Public SchoolsAuto equipment upgrades at the Livonia Career Technical Center$12,000
Mecosta-Osceola Intermediate School DistrictTire changing and balancing equipment at the Mecosta-Osceola Career Center$30,000
New Haven Community SchoolsAutomotive hoist at New Haven High School$35,000
Oakland Community CollegeEquipment and professional development in the Automobile Servicing Program$29,000
Starfish Family ServicesBuilding renovations at Inkster headquarters$60,000
The Henry FordPanel discussion on automobile collecting at Old Car Festival$5,500
American Indian Health and Family Services of Southeastern MichiganSubstance use and mental health programs for indigenous youth$50,000
New Hope Center for Grief SupportExpanding its early grief programming$25,000
Vista MariaA reading program for girls recovering from trauma and abuse $11,000
Dearborn Public SchoolsAn alignment machine for the automotive program at Fordson High School$28,000
Living and Learning Enrichment CenterKitchen renovations at its Northville campus $70,000
Oakwood HealthcareFacility improvements at three child health clinics serving underserved communities$50,000
Salvation Army, Eastern Michigan DivisionA walk-in freezer for the food pantry at its Plymouth $25,000
2020 Grants
Allen Park Public Schools
Equipment for Auto Tech program at Allen Park High School
$43,000
Arc of Northwest Wayne County
Feasibility Study for new facility$20,000
Farmington Public Schools
Equipment for Auto Tech program at North Farmington High School$29,000
Livonia Public Schools
Equipment for Auto Tech program at Livonia Career Technical High School$30,000
Huron-Clinton Metroparks Foundation
Accessible playground equipment at Kensington Metropark$10,000
Oakland Schools
Equipment for Auto Tech program
$87,000
First Step - The Western Wayne County Project on Domestic Assault
Emergency support due to the coronavirus pandemic$25,000
Michigan Philharmonic
Emergency support due to the coronavirus pandemic$10,000
Plymouth Community Arts Council
Emergency support due to the coronavirus pandemic$10,000
Plymouth Community Council on AgingEmergency support due to the coronavirus pandemic$10,000
Plymouth Historical SocietyEmergency support due to the coronavirus pandemic$15,000
Salvation Army, Eastern Michigan DivisionEmergency support due to the coronavirus pandemic for the Plymouth Corps$25,000
Ecorse Public SchoolsEquipment for new auto tech apprenticeship program$70,000
Oakland SchoolsSupport for new master-level training program at Oakland Schools Career Technical Campus Northeast $36,000
Plymouth District LibraryHVAC system repair$50,000
First Step - The Western Wayne County Project on Domestic AssaultFacility improvements at its city of Wayne shelter$62,000
Redford Interfaith ReliefEquipment for food pantry$30,000
Society of St Vincent de Paul DetroitRent, utility and food assitance programs at the Sacred Heart/Divine Child conference$14,000
Oakwood HealthcareImprovements, equipment, and supplies at the Redford Child Health Center $40,000
Macomb Community College FoundationEquipment to calibrate automobiles with advanced driving systems$35,000
Plymouth Historical SocietyCaboose facility improvements in memory of Betty Barbour$28,000
Plymouth Community Arts CouncilFacility improvements for lobby and art gallery$34,000
Detroit Historical SocietyPhotography equipment to allow 360-degree documentation of its automobile collection$25,000
First Step - The Western Wayne County Project on Domestic AssaultPassenger van$20,000
2019 Grants
Canton Community Foundation
New computers and a website upgrade
$11,000
Chippewa Valley Schools
Equipment for auto tech program at Chippewa Valley High School
$51,000
Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum
Renovation of existing classrooms
$57,000
Livonia Public Schools
Equipment for auto tech program at Career Technical Center
$46,000
Plymouth Community Arts Council
Facility improvements, including exterior lighting and a kitchen renovation
$43,000
Plymouth PARC
Building renovations in memory of Lloyd Leach
$50,000
Flint Cultural Center Corporation
Hydraulic lifts for historic automobiles at Sloan Museum
$4,000
Soc. of St. Vincent de Paul Detroit
Transport services to prevent homelessness in Western Wayne County
$20,000
Utica Community Schools
Equipment for auto tech program at Henry Ford II High School
$30,000
Detroit Institute of ArtsDetroit Style: Car Design in the Motor City, 1950-2020 exhibition$100,000
Flint Cultural Center CorporationCreate and install new automotive history exhibits at the Sloan Museum$250,000
Plymouth Historical SocietyReplace three rooftop HVAC units$40,000
Plymouth PARCBuilding renovations in memory of Lloyd Leach$50,000
Soc. of St. Vincent de Paul DetroitTransport services to prevent homelessness in Western Wayne County$20,000
Utica Community SchoolsEquipment for auto tech program at Henry Ford II High School$30,000
The Educational Excellence Foundation – Plymouth-Canton Community SchoolsEquipment upgrades in the Automotive Technology program $38,000
Methodists Children's Home SocietyNew playground and picnic area$20,000
Vehicles for ChangeTraining program for low-income individuals to become mechanics in Detroit$150,000
2018 Grants
Plymouth Historical SocietyKitchen equipment and renovations$17,000
Yankee Air MuseumScience and technology programs for Plymouth students$75,000
Classic Car Club of America MuseumAntique car restoration $22,000
Gilmore Car MuseumCreation of new educational exhibits for middle and high school students$115,000
Keep Plymouth LeafyTree planting on Plymouth streets$15,000
Oakland Schools Education FoundationEquipment upgrades for auto technology programs at 11 schools$86,000
Plymouth-Canton SchoolsEquipment upgrades for auto technology program$80,000
Plymouth PARCConstruct digital street sign $55,000
Salvation Army-Eastern Michigan DivNew phone system Plymouth Corps$8,600
Vehicles for ChangeTraining program for low-income individuals to become automobile mechanics in Detroit$150,000
Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps AssociationPurchase of a truck to haul musical instruments$13,250
City of PlymouthSafety equipment for Plymouth Fire Department$20,600
First Step—W. Wayne Co. Project on Domestic AssaultBuilding and facility repairs at the Plymouth location$28,000
Plymouth District LibraryConvert historical Plymouth newspapers on microfilm to digital format$30,000
College for Creative StudiesPrograms to introduce Plymouth-area students for creative career pathways in the automotive industry. $100,000
2017 Grants
Classic Car Club of America MuseumAntique car restoration$22,000
Salvation Army, Eastern MI DivisionPurchase of a passenger van for the Dearborn Heights Corps$32,000
College for Creative StudiesTwo-year program to introduce high school students to creative career pathways in the automotive industry $258,000
Vehicles for ChangeExpand automotive mechanic training program in Detroit $135,000
Vision to LearnFree eye exams and glasses to low-income students in western Wayne County $125,000
The Educational Excellence Foundation—Plymouth-Canton Community SchoolsEquipment upgrades for Automobile Tech Program $53,000
First Step--The Western Wayne County Project on Domestic ViolenceBuilding and facility repairs $100,000
College for Creative StudiesNational high-school automotive design competition (over five years) $553,000
Livonia Public Schools Equipment upgrades for Automobile Tech Program $50,000
Plymouth PARC Equipment upgrades for its swimming pool $125,000
2016 Grants
Plymouth Historical SocietyTwo-year marketing project $58,000
Plymouth Arts and Recreation ComplexThree strategic planning projects$50,000
Salvation Army, Eastern MI DivisionPurchase and maintenance of equipment for the Plymouth Corps food pantry$10,000
Plymouth District LibraryStrategic planning project$28,000
Michigan PhilharmonicTechnology upgrades and educational programming$65,000
Plymouth Historical SocietyPurchase and installation of a modern shelving system for storage rooms$40,000
Salvation Army, Eastern MI DivisionPurchase of a passenger van for the Plymouth Corps$38,000
© Margaret Dunning Foundation, 2025