The founders who brought together two organizations to form their Community Foundation first embraced that hope. In shaping a merger between The Flint Public Trust and the Flint Area Health Foundation to create a vibrant, new Community Foundation, they saw the possibility of reaching and accomplishing more. On March 31, 1988, their vision became a reality, and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint was born.

Arthur L. Tuuri, M.D., founder and president of the Flint Area Health Foundation, served as the first president, and Helen Philpott was elected chair of the newly formed board of trustees. Assets of $10.6 million from the two original organizations were combined to form the community’s permanent endowment. By the end of the first year, assets had surpassed $13 million – exceeding founder expectations.

In its first year, the Community Foundation awarded $701,507 in grants to 71 nonprofit organizations. Thirty years later, their assets have grown to $262 million and they’ve awarded over $132 million in grants to improve the quality of life in Genesee County.