Dan Kildee joined the Community Foundation of Greater Flint as its new President and CEO on January 6, 2025. With a proven record in significant leadership roles in government and non-profit sectors, Kildee brings a passion for community development and a commitment to driving positive change.
In this Q&A, Dan shares his thoughts on returning to Flint and what he’s looking forward to at CFGF.
Q: Dan, welcome. How does it feel to return to Flint?
Dan Kildee: It’s good to be back in Flint full time. I've gone from Flint to a lot of different places, but coming home for this part of my career feels incredible. Connecting local generosity with community needs and being part of positive change for my hometown — the city that gave me everything I have — is truly rewarding. It’s awesome.
Q: You've served this community for many years from several seats. How have you seen Flint and Genesee County change and evolve?
DK: Well, it's changed in a lot of ways — some positive, some real challenges. We’ve lost population on one hand, but we've begun this transition from an economy focused on just one company to one that's a lot more diverse. We have our challenges, but there's this sort of through point, this thread, that runs through Flint. We never give up on ourselves. We've been through a lot of tough times. We don't give up. To me, that is one characteristic of our community that I’m really proud of.
Q: What inspired you to take on this new role at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint?
DK: I saw the opportunity to continue the kind of work I've done, but with a different toolbox. It’s much more local — seeing the immediate impact of the work we do at the Community Foundation. Working with local grantees and being able to drive a mile or two, or even walk down the street, to see the work they’re doing is incredibly rewarding compared to some of my past experiences. I'm excited to be part of the change — right here at home.
Q: The Community Foundation's mission focuses on connecting generosity with community needs. How do you personally connect with this mission, and how does it align with the Foundation’s commitment to equity?
DK: The Community Foundation’s mission is about building bridges — connecting people, resources, and opportunities. I’m proud to be part of an organization that puts equity into action. We recognize that not everyone starts from the same place, and we focus on investing in solutions that address systemic barriers while uplifting the entire community.
Q: What excites you the most about this new role? What are you most looking forward to so far?
DK: I think it's continuing the good work that's been done. The Community Foundation has really grown, but I think we can go to the next step. I think we can increase the resources that are available to support the really good work and then try to find new ideas. We can keep listening to people out of the neighborhoods, listening to people in the organizations that we work with, and find new ideas that haven't been tried yet, and try to help them put those ideas to work.
Q: Is there anything else you would like the community to know about you or your vision for the Foundation?
DK: I've always felt like I worked for the people of the community. You know, in my previous roles, I was literally the representative of the people here. I want to continue to do it that way. You know, I'm not blessed with all the ideas. I have some of my own, but I'm an open book. I'm an open door. I want people to come to me with their ideas.
Q: It’s time for some fun questions to get to know you. Where did you graduate high school and what kind of student were you?
DK: I graduated from Flint Northern High School. I was an involved student. I played on the hockey team and was one of the captains. I was also involved in community change, even when I was a young person. I went to school board meetings, for example. Actually, right after I graduated from high school, I ran for the Board of Education in Flint, and I won that election. I was 18 years old when I was first elected to public office, so my time in high school was followed immediately with me being a member of the Board of Education. It was interesting going back to visit my high school and being asked for a hall pass when I was actually a member of the Board of Education.
Q: What was your first job in Genesee County?
DK: My first job was working for the Genesee County Road Commission. It was a summer job, and that was only for a couple of months. My first real job was working on the staff of the Whaley Children's Center. I started there when I started going to school at the University of Michigan-Flint as a freshman, and that led to a full-time job and also ultimately managing one of their programs.
Q: What’s your go-to Genesee County food spot?
DK: Any of the places in downtown Flint are great—I go to all of them. But let’s face it—you've got to get to a Coney Island, you’ve got to get to Big John Steak & Onion, you’ve got to get to YaYa’s. You can’t get those foods anywhere else.
Q: What’s a hidden talent or hobby that most people don’t know about you?
DK: Well, it’s not as hidden as it used to be, but I'm a drummer. I've played the drums since I was maybe 12 years old. When I was a member of Congress, I was in a band with three other members of Congress, and we would play occasionally. People were a little surprised to see that.
Q: What’s something about Genesee County you think the world should know, but doesn’t?
DK: I think there’s a great quality of life here. We have our challenges, there's no question about it, but the people here make this place what it is. And when I bring people here from other parts of the country and other parts of the world, I'm pleasantly surprised that they're impressed with the people that they run across here. We're a resourceful place. We don't give up on ourselves, and we're always kind of reinventing ourselves, and that’s what’s so cool about our community.
