The Karen Aldridge-Eason Innovations for Equity Philanthropy Award was newly launched in 2023 to honor the work of CMF members engaged in shifting narratives, broadening relationships, addressing power, expanding access and/or opportunity through philanthropic practice, examining policy or people-focused strategies, and other forms of equity-centered philanthropy. In 2024 the award was renamed in honor of Karen Aldridge-Eason, the first-ever Foundation Liaison for the Governor’s Office of Foundation Liaison (OFL), who served in that role for more than 20 years and was an exceptional trailblazer in public/partnerships across the state throughout her tenure, and always centered in a commitment to equity.
This award celebrates the unique and outstanding efforts of Michigan philanthropy to advance equitable outcomes for Michigan. The nominees will have demonstrated significant, bold action to create positive change, remove barriers and address structural inequity within their local context or for the philanthropic field at large. Examples include, but are not limited to innovative public-private partnerships, reimagined grantmaking strategies, exceptional community engagement and leadership in critical policy change, etc. This award celebrates new ways of thinking and innovative action, which may look different based on a foundation’s region, size, mission, stakeholder needs and more. Recognizing that deep and lasting change takes time, this award recognizes effort, not necessarily demonstrated outcomes.
Nomination Guidelines and Process
To quality, the nominee must be a staff member or trustee of a CMF member organization, or a team of people (group/committee) which includes at least one such individual.
Implementation of the innovative approach or effort must have started or primarily occurred during the last year (May 2024 – May 2025).
Reviewers may determine that more than one honoree receive this award annually, recognizing the unique context of innovative efforts across the CMF membership.
To nominate a team or individual please submit this online form, which includes a request for the contact information of the nominator and primary nominee, along with a brief narrative describing the nominee's demonstrated efforts or approaches aligned with this award.
You do not need to complete this nomination form in one sitting; you can save your progress and re-access the form by choosing the "Save and Continue" option shown at the top of the survey window once the first page is complete. You will then receive an email from "noreply@alchemer.com" inviting you to re-access the form via a custom link.
Nominations are due June 30, 2025, by 5 p.m.
The team of peer reviewers who are reading the nominations may request additional information to support the selection of final candidates, including contact information for two individuals who can serve as references for the nominee(s).
Selection and Recognition
A volunteer peer panel will review all nominations and select the award winner. We will contact all nominators with the results of the selection process by mid-August.
Honorees will be notified of their nomination and selection as the award recipient via special call (or video call) hosted in collaboration with the nominator.
This year’s award recipient will be honored during CMF's 53rd Annual Conference taking place October 14-16, 2025, in Kalamazoo.
For More Information or Accessibility Support
Questions about this award or any needs for accessibility support may be directed to Sue Cuddington, executive assistant to the CMF president and CEO, at scuddington@michiganfoundations.org.