Lawrence J. Burns Biography
A Detroit native, Lawrence J. Burns returned to Detroit in January 2017 to lead The Children’s Foundation in their efforts to make a lasting, positive impact on Michigan children. The Foundation is a statewide community foundation for children and currently awards over 25% of its grants to community-based organizations. The Children’s Foundation now has more than 77 community-based, service-oriented partners assisting children and their families. The Children’s Foundation has surpassed the $60 million level of community support since 2011.
Mr. Burns guided the Foundation’s development of a new brand platform that includes the first ever Five Focus Areas of Support. Mr. Burns spearheaded the search for a new Foundation office location which resulted in a convenient and centralized location in Detroit’s New Center area in the iconic Fisher Building. The Foundation launched a dynamic Planned Giving program that includes the Children’s Future Society and a professional Advisory group.
In June of 2019, The Foundation created a new overall name, The Children’s Foundation, to more accurately reflect the new and expanding strategic direction of the organization.
Mr. Burns hosts the popular WJR radio program known as Caring for Kids. The Foundation now has multiple partnerships with the likes of Crain’s Detroit Business, the Detroit Red Wings, the Detroit Tigers, Central Michigan University and the Grand Rapids Drive. All partnerships are designed to spread the word about the support the Foundation is providing to assist children and their families. A Little Champion program, established in 2017, now honors young champions that have overcome major obstacles in their young lives.
The Foundation is now managing several community-based foundations that are emerging as community leaders all within the Foundation’s three mission-based pillars. Included is The Jamie Daniels Foundation in its mission of addressing the opioid addiction crisis.
Mr. Burns led the effort to create the Michigan Advocates for Youth Behavioral Health. This advocacy collaboration holds a Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Summit each year.
Mr. Burns is a member of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Macomb County Chamber, Michigan Nonprofit Association, Detroit Economic Club, Detroit Regional Chamber, Advisory Council member of the Root Cause Coalition, The Jamie Daniels Foundation Board of Trustees, and sits on the Executive Committee and Board of CATCH.
Mr. Burns is a graduate of Central Michigan University and previously served as Vice President for Advancement at the University of Akron following more than two decades of health care and higher education development, marketing and executive experience in multiple Executive leadership roles at the University of Toledo and the Medical College of Ohio. Mr. Burns has also served as President & CEO of both the Medical College of Ohio Foundation and the University of Akron Foundation.