OUR MISSION
RECENT GRANTS
The Lawrence A Wisne Foundation was established in 2021.
Scroll to learn more about our most recent awards.
CAREHouse of Oakland Country $10,000
Court Appointed Special Advocates Program
CARE House operates the CASA program in Oakland County, providing trained volunteer advocates for children in foster care who are navigating family court proceedings. These children often face prolonged placements, academic instability, and long-term emotional harm without consistent adult advocacy.
Grant support partially funds the CASA Case Manager responsible for recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers. With this investment, the program can match 100 or more children with dedicated advocates who speak on their behalf in court and help secure stable, permanent outcomes.
Founded in 1925, Gesu Jesuit Catholic School serves preschool through eighth-grade students on Detroit’s west side. The school enrolls 276 students from 51 zip codes across the city, reflecting both its reach and the demand for a rigorous, values-based education. Gesu’s program centers on academic growth alongside responsibility, cultural awareness, and character formation, with a clear focus on serving families for whom tuition would otherwise be out of reach.
This funding supports need-based tuition scholarships, allowing students to remain enrolled and fully engaged in the school’s academic and enrichment programs. With this investment, Gesu is able to stabilize enrollment, reduce financial strain on families, and ensure that students from across Detroit continue to receive consistent, high-quality education in a supportive environment.
Gesu Jesuit Catholic School — $35,000
Scholarship Program
Province of St. Joseph Capuchin Order $5,000
Capuchin Soup Kitchen Holiday Food Box Project
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen, founded in 1929, addresses food insecurity across Metro Detroit through direct service and community partnerships. Its Holiday Food Box Project operates from December 1 through December 23, distributing boxes filled with essential food items to individuals and families during a period of increased need and expense.
This funding helps purchase and distribute food boxes to vulnerable households, reducing immediate hunger and financial stress during the holidays. The project consistently reaches thousands of residents each year, ensuring families have reliable access to nutritious meals at a critical time.
University of Detroit Jesuit School and Academy $50,000
Circle of Care Scholarship Program
University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy has educated young men in Detroit since 1877. The school serves a diverse student body and grounds its academic program in Jesuit values, emphasizing intellectual rigor, service, and ethical leadership. Tuition assistance is central to access: last year, more than $4 million in aid supported roughly half of the student body.
This grant funds the Circle of Care Scholarship, restricted solely to tuition assistance for students with demonstrated financial need. Awards are determined by a multidisciplinary Financial Aid Committee to ensure fairness and accountability. With this support, students who might otherwise be unable to attend can remain enrolled, complete their education, and graduate prepared for college and long-term civic engagement.
Impact Church $10,000
Children's Hope 4 the Holidays Celebration
Impact Church has served Detroit’s east side for 27 years, working to strengthen families and rebuild community connections. For the past 12 years, the church has hosted Hope 4 the Holidays, an annual event designed for children and families facing economic hardship. The program provides Christmas gifts and a shared day of celebration, coordinated in partnership with local neighborhood schools.
Grant funding supports the purchase of gifts and the logistics of hosting the event. The result is a structured, welcoming holiday experience for children who might otherwise go without. Families leave with tangible support, a sense of dignity, and stronger ties to local resources that extend beyond the holiday season.
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