Author

Sarah Spohn

Sarah Spohn is a Lansing native, but every day finds a new interesting person, place, or thing in towns all over Michigan, leaving her truly smitten with the mitten. She received her degrees in journalism and professional communications and provides coverage for various publications locally, regionally, and nationally — writing stories on small businesses, arts and culture, dining, community, and anything Michigan-made. You can find her in a record shop, a local concert, or eating one too many desserts at a bakery. If by chance, she’s not at any of those places, you can contact her at sarahspohn@issuemediagroup.com.

Sarah Spohn's Latest Articles

Partner Partner Content Nonprofits and neighbors provide insight, pride, propel 49507 community development

By Sarah Spohn

●

Community Development

●

November 25, 2024

IFF, a community development financial institution based in Illinois, has invested and shown a commitment to uplifting communities by providing financial support all over the state, including Grand Rapids neighborhoods. Part of IFF’s investment in Grand Rapids has been focused on the 49507 zip code, centered in a collection of neighborhoods southeast of downtown Grand Rapids. They're working with local nonprofits including Amplify GR and LINC UP and neighborhood residents to help propel development.

IFF’s community development in Fort Wayne

By Sarah Spohn

●

Community Development

●

November 1, 2024

Community development requires a large amount of heart and passion for a community, but it also requires a lot of financial funding and logistical support. Through the Fort Wayne community, investments from IFF have helped revitalize historic landmarks including The Landing and provided an investment in future generations with the Bridge of Grace early childhood center.

MIFA’s tablets and phone buddies help provide nourishment for seniors hungry for connection

By Sarah Spohn

●

General

●

October 30, 2024

MIFA not only provides food it also provides nourishment to seniors who are hungry for connection. With tablets that connect to the internet folks have the ability to connect with their families via video chats and attend virtual church services. Today, MIFA has 100 tablets running different programs.

Detroit Prep is a Pingree Neighborhood school, just outside of the Gratiot Woods neighborhood, made possible by IFF funding.

Partner Partner Content Growing fruitful neighborhoods: IFF’s commitment to Eastside Detroit

By Sarah Spohn

●

Community Development

●

October 2, 2024

For the past 10 years, IFF has been investing and committed to providing community financial support across Michigan, including Eastside Detroit neighborhoods. Some of their latest projects fill the gap by providing high-quality accessible, affordable childcare at Detroit Prep, and McClellan Early Childhood Center.

Josh Chapman, President and CEO, YMCA of the Blue Water Area

Blue Meets Green collaborative feeds economic prosperity

By Sarah Spohn

●

Community Development

●

September 12, 2024

The Blue Meets Green collaborative considers all sectors while cultivating a prosperous St. Clair County.

King's Kid Christian Daycare staff members Adrian Robinson, left, Lolita Granger, center and Tamara Jones laugh Wednesday, July 17, 2024, as they play with toys in one of the classrooms in the Detroit child care center.

MiLEAP fund provides essential equipment, upgrades for child care facilities

By Sarah Spohn

●

Community Development

●

July 23, 2024

Quality child care is necessary, but not always available or affordable. The MiLEAP Caring for MI Future: Facilities Improvement Fund has launched a $59 million fund to provide new and expanding home-based and center-based facilities across the state.

Regional Housing Partnerships addressing need for affordable housing

By Sarah Spohn

●

Community Development

●

June 18, 2024

As part of the Region I Regional Housing Partnership, the Capital Area Housing Partnership and the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission are tasked with developing local action plans to address the housing crisis. City and state government, neighborhood developers including Forsberg Real Estate, and area nonprofits are working together to address homelessness in greater Lansing and to attract residents to Eaton Rapids.

Partner Partner Content Elevate grants help small Michigan businesses level up

By Sarah Spohn

●

Community Development

●

May 22, 2024

Although headquartered in Indiana, the FHLBank of Indianapolis provides access to grant programs and resources for small businesses throughout Michigan. The Elevate Grant aims to generate more economic opportunity for all, and helps small businesses like Mushroom House Tours in Charlevoix and The Poke Bowl in Flint to level up.

A family poses in front of their ICCF community land trust home.

Community land trusts make home ownership possible for more Michiganders

By Sarah Spohn

●

Community Development

●

April 30, 2024

Michigan has a huge housing shortage. To address this need, many communities are utilizing community land trusts, like ICCF, to ensure affordable homeownership for generations to come.

CDFI funding helps Corktown Health expand services for Detroit area’s LGBTQ residents

By Sarah Spohn

●

Community Development

●

April 23, 2024

Corktown Health has evolved and grown from offering end-of-life services during the HIV/AIDS epidemic to providing primary care for the LGBTQ community. Through financial support from IFF, and through partnerships with local organizations including MiGen, the health network continues to provide a life-changing impact on the patients it serves.