The Karen Colina Wilson Foundation, established in 2006, aims to make a positive difference in the lives of women and children. Its mission encompasses enhancing the health, welfare, safety, and well-being of children, youth, and women. It particularly emphasizes development opportunities in the realms of education, art, literature, and music. The foundation's primary geographic focus is on Southern and Western Wayne County, Michigan, but it also extends support to communities where its trustees reside.
The grant program seeks to support children, youth, and women by enhancing their health, safety, and well-being, alongside offering developmental opportunities in education, art, literature, and music, with the goal of improving their quality of life. The foundation typically awards grants ranging from $500 to $10,000, including matching grants to encourage recipients to seek broader funding sources. Its funding priorities are specific projects that can potentially drive societal change, focusing on its target demographic. The foundation explicitly does not fund buildings, construction, capital expenditures, non-local camps, sports activity booster funds, or ongoing operational support. Proposals are welcomed at all times, with decisions made on a rolling basis.
The preferred geographic region for funding is the area encompassing Southern and Western Wayne County in Michigan, alongside additional communities where trustees reside. Eligible applicants for grants are nonprofit charitable organizations holding a federal tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code.