Variety Community Outreach Initiatives

Variety - the Children's Charity Detroit supports many local children’s organizations across Southeast Michigan in a partnership effort to make a difference in the lives of children in need.

Unlike most charitable organizations that focus on a single area problem or issue, Variety Detroit focuses on multiple unmet needs of children who are disadvantaged, challenged or live with disabilities and other special needs at a local level.

Though Variety Detroit is part of an international charity, we commit our funding, efforts, and programming to children in Southeastern Michigan. Our aim is to affect long-term and positive cognitive, physical, and social impact for all children.

Variety’s Community Outreach initiatives include the annual Holiday Adopt-a-Child and Santa’s Workshop, an effort to “adopt” hundreds of children for the holiday.  With the help of our dedicated supporters, children from Variety and our partner social services agencies are given the gift of a brighter holiday—with presents provided to children in need in Southeastern Michigan. 

Each fall, Variety provides the wish lists of hundreds of children to donors who wish to adopt a child.  The donors shop (or donate funds to have a Variety volunteer shop) and subsequently attend the Santa’s Workshop Wrapping Party—an energizing day of goodwill and holiday cheer—to wrap the gifts in preparation for delivery to the children. 

Variety’s Community Outreach initiatives also include a longstanding and important partnership with the Detroit Tigers and Major League Baseball as children from Variety and our social service agency partners are invited to experience the sights and sounds of a Detroit Tiger baseball game throughout the summer months each year. 

Heart Committee Grant Opportunities

In addition, Variety seeks to provide happier, healthier, and more independent childhoods while establishing and enhancing partnerships with local non-profits whose goals are closely aligned with Variety’s mission.  The following submission guidelines are to be closely reviewed as organizations assess their qualifications and programming needs.   All grant requests are reviewed and assessed by Variety’s Heart Committee using these guidelines to ensure that funds are awarded to organizations and projects or programs that will result in positive outcomes for children. 

 To qualify for funding consideration:

• Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in good standing.  No grants to individuals will be considered.
• Organizations and charitable programs must be located exclusively in and support individuals who reside in Southeastern Michigan with a mandate to serve and support children with special needs or who are under-resourced.  Examples of funding priorities include therapeutic or experiential programs which benefit children with physical and/or cognitive challenges, provisions of medical equipment or treatment, psychological treatment, transportation or other support. 
• Variety does NOT fund capital campaigns or general operating support.  At this time, Variety will not entertain requests for multi-year funding. Preference may be given to those programs or services that are not directly delivered by Variety core programs.  Preference may also be given to those agencies who do not receive state/federal funding.  Funds will be released to either the agency for programming services or the vendor providing equipment, as determined by Variety.
• Applicant must complete a grant application and submit all required materials.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• If funding is awarded, applicant may be required to submit periodic progress reports and photos to the Heart Committee to demonstrate progress towards goals outlined in the proposal.
• Funding provided must be utilized within one year of receipt.   If the funds are to be used for any purpose other than the proposed as outlined in the approved grant application, the applicant must communicate the need for the change to Variety and seek approval of the redirection of the funds.
• Applicant must submit a final status report demonstrating measured outcomes and the success of the project if future funding is to be considered.  

Questions concerning an organization’s qualifications or project scope are encouraged before submission.  To discuss your project proposal and to obtain the required grant application, please call 248-258-5511 or email info@varietydetroit.com. 

At Variety Detroit, we are small enough to listen yet big enough to make a difference.  Swiftly and soundly, with dignity and compassion. Join us in changing the lives of children.  Every donation makes a difference.  

To support Variety's community efforts to better the lives of children in need, please consider a donation online today or learn more by calling 248-258-5511.