Strategies

The Chalfonte Foundation is dedicated to fostering meaningful and transformative change by addressing critical needs and nurturing opportunities in the areas of Arts & Culture, Food & Agriculture, and Health & Healing. Our work is guided by a belief in the power of creativity, community, and connection to improve lives and strengthen the fabric of the communities we serve.

Through our programs and initiatives, we aim to:

  1. Celebrate and Promote Arts & Culture

    • Develop platforms for artistic expression and innovation.

    • Support programs that make arts and culture accessible to all.

    • Preserve and promote cultural heritage while fostering contemporary creative practices.

  2. Advance Sustainable Food & Agriculture

    • Improve food security and nutrition by supporting local farming and food systems.

    • Promote sustainable agricultural practices and education.

    • Build resilient communities through initiatives that connect people with healthy, locally grown food.

  3. Encourage Health & Healing

    • Provide resources and programs that support mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

    • Foster environments for community healing and resilience.

    • Promote holistic health approaches that prioritize wellness and quality of life.

Together, these focus areas form the foundation of our efforts to create sustainable, inclusive, and thriving communities and a better world for all.

Programs

  • Weeklong camps for teenage boys and girls at Chalfonte House in Elk Rapids includes swimming, boating, camping, hiking, ziplining, horseback riding, and more. The free weeklong summer camps include transportation to and from camp, food, lodging and more. Weekend arts and music camps in Detroit.

  • Day and weekend retreats include Mom’s and Dad’s Weekends, for parents who experienced the death of a child; family and group retreats for rest and relaxation, health and healing, and educational and creative arts and cultural retreats. Retreats are held at the Detroit, Elk Rapids, and Torch Lake locations.

  • Residencies are for aspiring and established artists, chefs, performers, farmers, and social and cultural innovators, inventors, and designers. Residencies range from days to years and include access to facilities, equipment, tools, and other resources at the Detroit, Elk Rapids, and Torch Lake locations.

  • Internships are available for school credit to qualified students in areas of media production and broadcasting, arts and cultural programming and planning, food and agriculture, and more.

  • Scholarships are offered to youth ages 16-25 for educational costs for acting, puppetry, creative writing, art, music, culinary arts, design, and more. Funding is provided for travel, equipment, supplies, and educators

  • Paid apprenticeships offer young people an opportunity to hone their craft while employed as an apprentice with experienced artists, performers, writers, and designers.

Projects

  • The 84 Ambassadors program empowers 84 youth ages 16 to 25 from Michigan's 83 counties and the City of Detroit to serve as Ambassadors for their communities. These Ambassadors will use digital platforms to share information about their counties and attend an annual conference to meet other Ambassadors. In the process, they’ll learn about social and cultural issues, and work on goals to break down prejudices and promote cultural understanding.

  • "Mixture of Four" is a talk show for kids set to air on the Detroit Broadcasting Company. Hosted by four dynamic fifth-grade boys from Detroit, the show features segments on arts and dancing, video games, food, and puppetry and performing arts. The young hosts bring fresh perspective and passion as they share their experiences and insights from special guests. The show hopes to inspire and entertain young viewers while showcasing the talent and culture of Detroit.

  • GROW (Girls Rule Our World) began as a summer camp for girls and young women and soon became an “organization” of its own. GROW fosters and promotes relationships and opportunities for girls and young women ages 12-25. GROWtv will provide an online channel for original news, music, sports, community interest stories and other content created by and for girls and young women from around the world. Scholarships and apprenticeships are offered in all areas of the visual, performing, and broadcast arts.

  • detroit contemporary is a member owned and directed arts organization that operates a professional contemporary art gallery and performance space at the Chalfonte House in Detroit. detroit contemporary also provides artist residencies in Detroit, Elk Rapids and Torch Lake, Michigan.

  • DBC is a member owned and operated media production and broadcasting company. DBC will build and operate a live 24 hour internet broadcast stream and on demand video and audio content produced by members, beneficiaries, sponsors, partners, and affiliates of the Chalfonte Foundation.

  • Shepherdswork Farms operate a vegetable farm at the Chalfonte’s Ryan Giannini Park in Torch Lake, Michigan and will soon operate a compassionate animal farm in Lake, Michigan. Vegetables, eggs, milk and grassfed meats are sold to members and at local farmers markets

Activities

  • Culture Kids is for children ages 2-12 and their parents or guardians to gather regularly for arts and cultural events such as around the world potluck dinners, museum outings, adventure centers, theater and music events, art, music, food, and gardening classes, nature hikes, parks, playgrounds, pools, and more.

  • The Clubs support the three major funding priorities and activities of the Chalfonte Foundation which are in the areas of arts & culture, food & agriculture, and health & healing. All to benefit children and their communities.

  • The Chalfonte Foundation offers a unique and diverse selection of events at its two locations in Detroit and Elk Rapids. Attendees can enjoy dinner events, concerts, movie nights, forums and lectures, game nights, artist salons, family art and music classes, and more. The Foundation also has plans to host camping events at both the Detroit and Elk Rapids locations. The Elk Rapids location overs beach party events, while the Detroit location offers walking tours of its neighborhood in the Detroit Cultural Center.

  • detroit contemporary is a member owned and directed arts organization that operates a professional contemporary art gallery and performance space at the Chalfonte House in Detroit. detroit contemporary also provides artist residencies in Detroit, Elk Rapids and Torch Lake, Michigan.

  • DBC is a member owned and operated media production and broadcasting company. DBC will build and operate a live 24 hour internet broadcast stream and on demand video and audio content produced by members, beneficiaries, sponsors, partners, and affiliates of the Chalfonte Foundation.

  • Shepherdswork Farms operate a vegetable farm at the Chalfonte’s Ryan Giannini Park in Torch Lake, Michigan and will soon operate a compassionate animal farm in Lake, Michigan. Vegetables, eggs, milk and grassfed meats are sold to members and at local farmers markets