The Kresge Foundation is a national foundation with $2.4 billion in assets. Its core grant making program focuses on opportunities to strengthen leadership and giving through challenge grants for capital projects. This work results in hundreds of renovated and newly constructed facilities each year, operated by nonprofits that have also broadened and deepened their private base of support through their capital campaign efforts.

In 2003, the Foundation awarded more than $108 million in challenge grants to nonprofit organizations, helping them attract nearly $4 billion for the renovation or construction of their facilities.

The Green Building Initiative is intended to increase the awareness of sustainable or green building practices among nonprofits. The Foundation encourages them to do so with special grants to help fund the green planning process and bonus grants to Kresge grantees who obtain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for their buildings.