What if you had all the talent in the world, but no means to develop it? Mitch Albom established the Dream Fund in and then the Detroit Dream Scholars Awards to make sure our city’s artistic talent does not wither because of lack of opportunity.

Each Detroit Dream Scholars award provides a four-year scholarship to study the arts at the nationally-renowned College for Creative Studies. So far, seven students are currently blossoming through this program.

Talent is not the issue in Detroit. The problem is access and affordability. I appeal to friends in the arts and business communities to make a similar commitment, so that we can provide a ‘Detroit Dozen’ scholarships to better our young artists’ future.

Mitch Albom

Donate

Fund a $60,000 scholarship over four years ($15,000 per year for 4 years) and become a member of the “Detroit Dozen” donors. Call 313.664.7864 to set up.
Make a gift or pledge of any amount to be used in combination with other gifts to CCS here, select “Mitch Albom Dream Fund IND” under “Areas of Need.”

CCS is a 501 (C)(3) organization and donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Scholarship donations should be made directly to CCS who will in turn award funds to the selected winners.

Detroit Dreamers

Dream Scholars Fact Sheet

In September 2011, in conjunction with making his own gift, Mitch Albom challenged 11 community members to join him so that he can provide a “Detroit Dozen” – 12 scholarships of $60,000 each over four years. The “Detroit Dozen” will provide opportunities to 12 deserving students without financial means to go to college.

Public Art Requirement

Each scholarship recipient is required to work on a public art project in the summer as a way of giving back to the City of Detroit. Some of the projects that the current scholars have completed include painting a night sky mural in Mexicantown and launching a youth- directed radio station with children from the Brightmoor community.

Selection of Winners

Sholarships are awarded to degree-seeking students in any major who are from the City of Detroit. Award recipients are selected by the Director of Financial Aid based upon financial need, and an incoming GPA of 3.0 or above. The scholarship will be re-awarded annually based on the student maintaining good academic standing and a grade point average of at least 2.8.

The typical funding gap for a student at CCS, after all institutional, federal and state grants, and loans are extended is $15,000. That is why a gift of $60,000 will support one student for four years.

Opportunity to meet the Detroit Dream Scholars will be provided for donors and students annually.

Recognition

Donors to the Detroit Dream Scholars Fund at CCS will be listed in the College’s annual Donor Honor Roll. Mitch Albom will support “Detroit Dozen” donors with recognition on his website, in media coverage, and at an annual gathering of the Scholars and donors.

About CCS

The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is an integrated learning community located in Detroit. A private, fully accredited college, CCS enrolls nearly 1,400 students pursuing Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. CCS also offers visual art opportunities for learners of all ages through its Community Arts Partnerships and Continuing Education programs.

The Dream Fund

Mitch Albom started the Dream Fund at the College for Creative Studies to provide funding for under-served children to participate in the arts and to instill confidence in our youth. Since that time, CCS has utilized the Dream Fund to support visual, performing, summer “Week at a Time” youth scholarships, community art programs, and even the Detroit 300 project in 2001.

Ir has raised over $115,000 in scholarships since its inception in 1991.

News & Updates

Sharing the Giving: More than $1 Million Given to Detroit Charities

by macharities | March 27, 2018 | A Hole in the Roof, Dream Scholars, News + Updates, S.A.Y. Detroit, S.A.Y. Detroit Play, SAY Detroit Clinic, Working Homes/Working Families | 0 Comments

DETROIT, March 27, 2018 — Representatives from 22 area charities accepted checks totaling nearly $1.25 million on Tuesday from donations raised at Mitch Albom’s S.A.Y. Detroit Radiothon last December. The ceremony at the Fisher Building, which included six first-time...

$1 Million in Radiothon Funds Distributed to 20 Charities

by macharities | March 21, 2017 | Dream Scholars, News + Updates, S.A.Y. Detroit, S.A.Y. Detroit Play, SAY Detroit Clinic, Working Homes/Working Families | 0 Comments

Representatives from 20 area charities accepted checks totaling more than $1 million on Tuesday from donations raised at Mitch Albom’s fifth annual S.A.Y. Detroit Radiothon last December. The ceremony at the Fisher Building included several first-time beneficiaries,...

Dream Scholar Wins Grand Prix Poster Competition

by macharities | May 7, 2016 | Dream Scholars, News + Updates | 0 Comments

The winning poster design for Belle Isle Grand Prix’s Spring 2016 design competition belongs to D’mitri Moore, a senior at CCS and recipient of a Dream Scholars scholarship. Moore, who is considering a future career in advertising, told the Detroit Free Press, “I...

Detroit Dream Scholars Program Going Strong

by macharities | October 9, 2014 | Dream Scholars, News + Updates | 0 Comments

Four years and seven scholarships later, Mitch’s Detroit Dream Scholars program continues to gain momentum at the College For Creative Studies (CCS), and a reception was held on campus September 30 to celebrate its success.Attendees included Mr. and Mrs. Charles Baker...

Detroit Charities Rewarded

by Kerri Alexander | March 26, 2014 | A Hole in the Roof, A Time to Help, Dream Scholars, News + Updates, S.A.Y. Detroit, SAY Detroit Clinic, Working Homes/Working Families | 0 Comments

DETROIT, March 26 - More than a dozen Detroit charities were grateful recipients of more than $400,000 in donations distributed from Mitch Albom’s “S.A.Y. (Super All Year) Detroit Radiothon.” The monies were collected in a single 15-hour broadcast last December at...

Detroit Dream Scholars Reception 2013

by macharities | September 26, 2013 | Dream Scholars, News + Updates | 0 Comments

On September 19th, Mitch met with seven Detroit Dream Scholars at a reception at the Center Galleries at the College for Creative Studies. The event served not only to celebrate the work of current Dream Scholars, but also to work towards the goal of having twelve...

Donors Help Make the “Detroit Dozen” a Reality

by macharities | December 2, 2011 | Dream Scholars, News + Updates | 0 Comments

In September of 2011, Mitch Albom and the College for Creative Studies (CCS) announced a new project, the Detroit Dream Scholars Award. With a donation of $60,000 to fund four years of undergraduate education at CCS, Mitch also challenged 11 other donors in the arts...