About

Incorporated in 2015, Markii Cares Foundation, Inc. (MCF), a 501(c)3 was founded as a ‘private pass-through organization’ in 1996 by Yvette and Mark Downs in memory of their daughter, Markii Christyn Downs, who passed suddenly in 1992 at the age of 9 months old. Over the years, the Downs' encouraged community donations to be made for the benefit of youth to various non-profits in her memory. These gifts included donations to a childcare center, toys for sick and hospitalized children during the holidays and donations to support infants living with young, homeless mothers.  The foundation was created to enhance and leverage those donations in a systematic way to help youth in underserved communities.

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MCF funds direct services and programs that promote the physical, mental and educational health and safety of youth. The foundation seeks community partnerships with groups that provide mentoring, athletic engagement, physical and mental health support, creative arts, tutoring, holiday support, youth counseling, career/college planning, scholarships, parenting support (to promote healthy families) and other such activities to help increase opportunities and exposure for youth where such options may otherwise be limited.

MCF also advocates for policies and laws that ensure educational, criminal and environmental justice and equality for youth and their families. This includes safe, fair and decent housing for youth, advocacy for educational counseling and social services, anti-profiling activities and greater access to student scholarships, loans and grants.