October 5, 2020 – The City of Midland has announced its receipt of over $2.75 million in grant funds from The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation to be used for renovations at Riverside Place, construction of the Midland Miracle Field, and general operating expenses for the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library.
Included in the gift is a $2.5 million grant to assist in funding a roof replacement project at Riverside Place, the City’s independent senior living community located in Downtown Midland. The total project is anticipated to cost over $3 million to complete.
In addition, The Foundation awarded a $250,000 grant for construction of the Midland Miracle Field, a barrier-free baseball facility for children and adults with disabilities. An outright gift of $150,000 will be made in 2020, and a $1 for $1 matching grant of $100,000 will be paid in 2021, contingent upon the City receiving donations of $100,000 from September 2020 to November 2021. More information on the Miracle Field can be found at www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/miraclefield.
The City also received $4,000 to be used toward general operations at the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library. The Foundation began making an annual gift to the Library in 1954 with a total of $136,000 given to date. Additionally, The Foundation has gifted $9.1 million for capital projects benefiting the Library since 1949.
Referencing Foundation gifts to the City of Midland totaling $39.4 million since 1938, Dr. Ruth Alden Doan, President of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation stated, “The Foundation’s longtime partnership with the City helps to make Midland a community of choice. The Board of Trustees is honored to continue the work of The Foundation’s founder, Grace Dow, who referenced the mutual friendship between The Foundation and the citizens of Midland in our charter documents.”
“The City is incredibly grateful for The Foundation’s continued support of our community through these gifts,” added City Manager Brad Kaye. “Grant funds for Riverside Place, the Midland Miracle Field, and the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library help us to provide outstanding services and amenities and an exceptional quality of life for our residents.”
Founded in 1936, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation was established by Mrs. Grace A. Dow in memory of her husband, Herbert H. Dow. The Foundation charter designates that funds be used “for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes for the public benefaction of the inhabitants of the City of Midland and of the people of the State of Michigan.”