The University of Michigan has announced a gift of more than $11.1 million from the NorthLight Foundation and Dan and Sheryl Tishman in support of the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS).

The largest gift in SEAS' history will establish the Tishman Center for Social Justice and the Environment, enabling the expansion of the environmental justice program. In addition, the gift will establish the Tishman Scholarship Fund and two Tishman Professorships in Environmental Justice in both SEAS and the College of Engineering, provide for expanded justice programming and training, and enable the recruitment of top students from underrepresented backgrounds who lack the resources to study in the environmental justice program.

Tishman's late father, John, and son, Gabe, are both U-M alumni, and the family are longtime supporters of the university. With the latest pledge, the family has committed more than $25 million in combined charitable gifts, including support for the College of Engineering and Michigan Athletics.

"As environmental funders, for decades we have discovered that frontline communities have been largely left behind by the environmental movement," Dan and Sheryl Tishman said in a statement. "These communities have very little voice in the battle for a clean environment and climate change [mitigation], but sadly have been the most impacted. It is our mission to invest our philanthropy in places where there is a great need and little investment. Environmental justice is at the heart of solving the greatest environmental challenges of the day. We know of no other university that has been willing to establish a center focused on environmental justice. We are so excited to be partnering with Michigan to create this one-of-a-kind program."

"Societal challenges such as climate change harm us globally, but they do not affect us all equally," said U-M president Mark Schlissel. "It's crucial that we understand the intersection between sustainability and social justice. By elevating important voices and centering affected communities, the Tishman Center for Social Justice and the Environment will advance the University of Michigan's mission to serve the people of Michigan and the world."