BUF History

History & Legacy

The Black United Fund of Michigan (BUF of MI) was birthed in the ruins and aftermath of the fiery summer of 1967 when Detroit erupted in one of the deadliest most costly urban uprisings in the history of the United States. In 1970 BUF of Michigan boldly emerged from the ashes of the insurrection as a stabilizing inner-city community force of self-determination and revitalization.

Led by legendary community development activist and social worker Brenda L. Rayford, 15 courageous Detroiters united for impact in a small basement office on Detroit’s westside to establish the Black Causes Association, an alternative funding and resource center. Over the years the name for BUF has changed from Causes Association, Detroit Black United Fund, to its present name of Black United Fund of Michigan Inc., which is also Known as BUF of Michigan. Their vision was to provide funds and support to community-based non-profits, including start-ups that focused on Education, Community Development, Cultural Enrichment and Economic Development in Michigan’s diverse community. These start-up and non-profits seldom had the capacity to approach traditional funding sources to provide unique solutions to long-term problems.

BUF provided seed money to thousands of organizations throughout Michigan. A number of history making organizations like The Sphinx, Jackets for Jobs, DAPCEP, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and Detroit Youth Choir, just to name a few were provided seed money when they did not have the capacity to reach out to larger funders.  Additionally, BUF assisted these organizations in developing sustainability plans, offering space for hosting meetings and small events, linking volunteers and program providers, and sourcing equipment. 

In 2010, BUF of Michigan’s Associate Director, Kenneth Donaldson was appointed the President and CEO in upon Mrs. Rayford’s retirement. In 2015, under his leadership, BUF of Michigan shifted its emphasis away from mainly being a funding organization to being a program-oriented organization.  The agency dedicated its efforts to partnering with others to ignite revitalization in the Metro Detroit community by impacting the lives of our youth.  BUF believes we must have a vision for the future and that future must begin with affording greater opportunities for young people to achieve their dreams and ultimately become productive citizens in the community. 

Through strategic partnerships with corporations, businesses, other organizations and individuals, BUF implemented the innovative E.Y.E.S. (Empowering Youth for Everyday Success) Initiative. The Initiative seeks to address the need to equip children and youth who are under-represented, underserved and at-risk with resources and tools that help them succeed academically, financially, socially, and in career planning.

Founding BUF Members: