THE CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION OF MICHIGAN & MARC EVAN JACKSON.
IT ALL STARTS WITH THE ARTS
The Coney was created by renowned actor, writer, comedian, and founder of the Detroit Creativity Project, Marc Evan Jackson, in partnership with the Children’s Foundation of Michigan. The simple (but huge!) goal? To support youth arts programs in Detroit. Together, our motivation is grounded in the belief that youth arts education thrives when funding is thoughtful, informed, steady, and permanent.
They foster creativity, build confidence, and enhance cognitive, social-emotional, and motor skills. Creative expression allows kids to process emotions, improve problem-solving abilities, and develop critical thinking while also supporting academic growth.
Through the generosity of sponsors like you, we’re going to make it happen.
Why are the arts essential to The health and wellbeing of kids?
objectives
immediate impact
Arts-Focused Youth Serving Organizations
Provide support to organizations that expand access, instruction, and cultural expression across the city.
Teaching Artists
Increase presence of working artists who bring professional expertise, mentorship, and real-world exposure into learning environments.
Art Based Experiences
Expand travel, competition, exhibition, and performance opportunities that allow Detroit students to share their art with the city, nation, and world.
Arts Infrastructure
Funding for people, supplies, instruments, uniforms, and technical equipment that support youth experiences with the arts.
LONG-TERM SUPPORT
Establish the Endowed Fund for Youth Arts, a permanent endowment for arts education, held at the Children’s Foundation of Michigan, to provide annual grants to youth-serving programs in the city.
Even more about the coney
Our effort to build the Endowed Fund for Youth Arts all starts with The Coney. And we want to make it an annual thing. This year, the homecoming weekend starts on September 25–26, 2026, culminating in a performance at the Detroit Opera House—featuring a celebrity host committee of Detroit-born-and-raised artists (and some of their awesome out-of-town friends, too).
We were inspired by “The Big Slick” in Kansas City, now in its 17th year, which has raised more than $4 million annually for children in Kansas City. We see a similar opportunity in Detroit: to establish an annual tradition that catalyzes new and sustained funding for youth arts and creative youth development.
about the children’s foundation of micHigan
Since 2003, the Children's Foundation of Michigan has been a catalyst for change, partnering with the community to advance solutions and discoveries to improve the lives of of children in Michigan. Our key focus areas include physical health, mental health, substance use disorder, health equity, and Children's Hospital of Michigan initiatives. Every year our goals and ambitions grow.
The Detroit Creativity Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 on the belief that every child should have the opportunity to succeed. We are helping Detroit youth transform their lives by teaching them to improvise, a tool that fosters collaboration and respect for others, builds literacy and encourages experimentation in a safe, supportive setting.
about the Detroit Creativity Project
you can help, too
Your support will directly impact youth arts education in Detroit.
