The Story Behind the David and Mary Stafford Foundation

In a world full of noise and hustle, it’s rare to find two people quietly building something that could reshape an entire city. But that’s exactly what David and Mary Stafford are doing. And they’re doing it with grit, humility, and an unshakable faith in Jesus Christ.

Their names are on the foundation, yes—but the story of how they got here is what makes the David and Mary Stafford Foundation something worth paying attention to.

From Hustle to Healing: David’s Story

David Stafford has always had the heart of a builder.

Long before he co-founded a nonprofit or began discipling men, he was pushing a lawnmower through his neighborhood in middle school, knocking on doors with quiet confidence and a relentless work ethic.

That’s how Stafford Landscaping was born—a humble business that, over more than a decade, grew into a multi-division company generating over six figures annually across lawn care, landscaping, irrigation, and concrete work.

But David’s true impact has never been limited to business.

While he was growing companies, he was also growing as a disciple of Christ.

He has walked alongside dozens of men through some of the darkest valleys of their lives—providing not just friendship, but emotional, spiritual, and financial support. He is a steady presence in the lives of other men, both young and old.

His example is what many would call rare: someone who’s successful in business but even more faithful in character. Someone who shows that strength can look like kindness, discipline, and generosity.

David’s mission in life has never been just about profit—it’s about helping other men win in life, in leadership, in family, and in faith.

A Life of Excellence: Mary’s Story

Mary Stafford is equal parts warmth and strength. A natural leader and adventurer, she brings both intellect and intention into everything she does.

A graduate of Lawrence Technological University in Michigan, Mary earned her degree in mechanical engineering while competing as a two-sport collegiate athlete in softball and volleyball.

She’s a lifelong learner, an engineer for Toyota Motor Company, and someone who’s constantly pushing herself to grow—not just in career, but in character.

Mary has traveled the world, explored the country, and yet remains deeply rooted in her church and community. She’s the kind of woman who will climb a mountain one week and quietly care for a hurting friend the next. She listens more than she speaks, encourages more than she demands, and lives every day with a posture of openness and compassion.

To know Mary is to know steadiness. Her heart beats for helping others experience life fully and freely. Whether it’s encouraging young women in their faith or standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her husband in service, Mary is always in motion—always with purpose.

A New Chapter—Together

For years, David and Mary were pursuing their individual callings with excellence. But something changed when they got married and began to dream together.

They realized they didn’t just want to build successful lives—they wanted to build something bigger than themselves. Something that would leave a legacy of hope, healing, and freedom in the city they call home: Detroit.

So they launched the David and Mary Stafford Foundation, their first joint venture—a nonprofit laser-focused on reducing addiction, ending the orphan crisis, and supporting adoption in the Detroit Metro Area. The vision is bold:

To lead the Detroit Metro Area to become the least addicted and least orphaned region in the United States.

This isn’t a tagline.

It’s a calling.

With David’s leadership experience and mentoring heart, and Mary’s strategic thinking and gentle strength, they’re now working together to support the people too often forgotten—those stuck in addiction, youth aging out of foster care, and families longing to adopt but unsure how.

They’ve combined their skills, their resources, their faith, and their vision into one mission:Transforming lives through knowledge, compassion, perseverance, and community.

Why It Matters

If you're a young person trying to figure out what success actually looks like, David and Mary would tell you this: It’s not just about what you build. It’s about who you lift while you build it.

The Foundation exists to help people break cycles, find freedom, and step into God’s purpose for their lives. And it’s led by two people who know that impact isn’t measured by fame—it’s measured by faithfulness.

This is just the beginning of their story. But if you’re looking for real people making real change in Metro Detroit—people who love Jesus and live like it—you’ve just found two of them.

What Makes This Foundation Different?

This isn’t a nonprofit that’s all talk and no traction. Here’s how the Foundation is moving toward its bold vision:

Strategic Giving to Local Partners

We fund and strengthen high-impact ministries and nonprofits already doing life-changing work in addiction recovery, foster care, and adoption.

Direct Support for Individuals and Families

From adoption grants to rehab scholarships, we're helping real people take tangible steps toward healing.

Mentorship & Christian Community-Building

We're building networks of support and discipleship—especially for foster youth and individuals overcoming addiction.

Equipping the Church to Respond

We work with local churches across the Detroit Metro Area to raise awareness, create opportunities to serve, and activate believers in practical ways.

Why This Story Matters

If you’re a Christian in Michigan looking to make a difference—or searching for young leaders who are actually living out their faith—this is a story you need to follow.

David and Mary Stafford are building something meaningful in a region that desperately needs hope. Their lives prove that success and service don’t have to compete, and that faith-driven leadership still has a place in today’s world.

They’re not waiting for someone else to fix the brokenness. They’re stepping into it.

If you'd like to fuel their work through supporting The Foundation donate today!

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