About Us

Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation that is a charitable, tax-exempt organization. Like most private foundations, Skillman does not raise money but uses its resources to support 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

The chief aim of the Foundation's three programs is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. The Good Schools and Good Neighborhoods programs are the primary focus of the Foundation's grantmaking. The Good Opportunities program is set up to support the Foundation's primary work and to invest in special opportunities that can accomplish significant results for children. Though Skillman makes grants throughout Metropolitan Detroit, the bulk of its grant dollars are spent in six Detroit neighborhoods -- Brightmoor, Cody Rouge, Osborn, Chadsey Condon, Northend Woodward Central and Southwest Detroit Neighborhoods, and on innovative and successful schools throughout the city of Detroit.