The Royal Oak Civic Foundation's mission is to improve the city’s health, safety, and cultural opportunities by inspiring the philanthropy of residents and business leaders to support a  thriving, resilient community.

As a formal 501 (c) 3 non-profit the foundation will facilitate increasing philanthropic giving to enhance the community.  It will primarily support city entities that receive little or no tax-base funding and innovative community projects that improve the quality of life in our city.  

The ROCF board’s function is to fund-raise for the foundation and is populated with trustees who have access to capital or personal connections to those who have capital.  The foundation will raise funds through annual giving, planned giving, major gifts, grants, and special events.

In the summer of 2018, an ad-hoc team worked with candidate lists from local non-profits and previous city commissioners to create this inaugural nominee list.  Four candidates were chosen and approved in March 2019 to jump-start the IRS non-profit designation request and because of involvement on the previous ROOTS board, experience on other community-service fundraising boards, and access to community philanthropic opportunities. 

Going forward, an annual open request for trustee applications will occur. People with interest will apply directly to the trustee board for consideration and potential inclusion on the nominee slate presented to the city commission for appointment.