Charles Stewart Mott established the C.S. Mott Foundation in 1926, in response to his deep concern about the welfare of Flint, Michigan, as well as his abiding affection for his adopted community.
An automotive pioneer, Mr. Mott was an original partner in the creation of the General Motors Corporation, founded in Flint in 1908. As one of the city's leading industrialists, Mr. Mott was elected mayor, serving three terms (1912–13, 1918) during periods of overwhelming and turbulent growth in the city. As mayor he was responsible for instituting fair property assessments, orderly accounting audits, health and safety ordinances, building codes and a house numbering system.
As a private citizen, Mr. Mott founded a camp, as well as medical and dental clinics for Flint's children, and helped establish a number of nonprofit organizations that still exist today, including the Whaley Children's Center, the Boy Scouts and the YMCA.
A profoundly practical individual, Mr. Mott created his Foundation as an organized method of responding to the increasing needs of Flint's growing population. In 1935, in partnership with the Flint Community Schools, the Foundation became a major factor in the life of the city through school-based educational and recreational activities. This partnership ultimately developed into a nationwide community education movement.
From its earliest origins, the Foundation's major concern has been the well-being of communities and all that they encompass — individuals, families, neighborhoods and civic organizations. Today, this interest continues to play out through grantmaking in Flint as well as communities far beyond the Foundation's home city.
Programs
Charles Stewart Mott's central belief in the partnership of humanity was the basis upon which the Foundation bearing his name was established. While this has remained a guiding principle, the Foundation has refined and broadened its grantmaking over time.
In addition to our four programs, we also fund Exploratory and Special Projects [XSP]. XSP grants support unusual or unique opportunities to address significant national and international problems. Under this program, including the program area for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, we make a limited number of small grants for projects falling outside our regular grantmaking programs. Proposals for XSP grants are by invitation only; unsolicited proposals are discouraged.
Through our Civil Society program, we fund non-governmental organizations in Central/Eastern Europe and South Africa. We strongly encourage organizations that are seeking funding from the Foundation to review all program information and application guidelines.
