Please forgive us if we in Michigan are somewhat green-eyed with envy over a glowing New York Times feature on the seemingly incredible corporate philanthropy in Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Times columnist Joe Nocera calls Minneapolis/St. Paul the “Emerald City of giving” because of the longstanding reputation of corporations there to devote 5 percent of annual profits to philanthropic causes.
Minneapolis/St. Paul is, outside of Chicago, the darling metropolitan region of the Midwest. Michigan hasn’t yet figured out how to replicate Minneapolis/St. Paul’s ability to shine despite terrible weather, retain young people and retirees alike, and fully diversify the economy.
But, in philanthropy, Michigan does not take a back seat.
Consider the new foundation-driven “New Economy Initiative” which promises $100 million in grants for economic development in Southeast Michigan.
Consider, too, that Michigan-based foundations hold more than $24 billion in assets, ranking 5th nationally among the states.
The next time Joe Nocera flies Northwest, maybe he should linger in Detroit awhile before catching the connecting flight to Minnesota.
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They may be the Emerald City, but Grand Rapids is “Paris of the West”