On May 17, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint celebrated its 25-year anniversary at their annual Over the Moon gala. The foundation started in 1988 when the Flint Public Trust and the Flint Area Health Foundation merged to form a permanent community philanthropy endowment. Since then, CFGF has helped fund numerous projects in the city of Flint. One of its most recent projects, the Give Forward Network, gives young entrepreneurs the opportunity to contribute to local philanthropic efforts, as well.
Held Downtown at Riverfront Banquet Center, the Over the Moon event featured dinner, musical performances, and recognition of local leaders who have long supported the community through philanthropy. The night’s musicians included local xylophone player Eric Majied, saxophonist Jeffery M. Prince, Flint School of Performing Arts student pianist Moshe Benson, and the Exclamation Percussion Ensemble. The Hurand family of Flint was honored with the Piper Family Philanthropy Award for their multigenerational legacy of philanthropy in Flint.
Ardele Shaltz served as co-chair of the gala. She told My City Magazine that the event was a triumph: “It was heartwarming to see over 450 people from the community, representing all walks of life, come together to celebrate one organization’s past, present and future. I consider that a huge success!”