News Releases

As economic disparities reach historic levels, the University of Michigan is renewing its commitment to investigating causes of social inequality.

A $5 million gift from the Stone Foundation will allow the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center for Inequality Dynamics to sustain its critical work to produce research and address rising wealth inequality.

By turning complex data into relevant findings, this investment ensures U-M remains at the global forefront in addressing the most urgent social and economic challenges of our time.

“Wealth inequality in the United States is extreme and has far-reaching consequences for our economic, political, and civic life,” said Alexandra Killewald, the center director, Robert F. Schoeni Research Professor in the Survey Research Center and professor of sociology in LSA. 

“Thanks to the generous support of the Stone Foundation, we can continue to support cutting-edge research, attract top wealth scholars to our university and mentor the next generation of scholars.” 

The Stone Center has helped make U-M a national leader in inequality research. Faculty experts provide thorough evidence on how race and family resources shape upward mobility. Their publications also provide new understanding on how U.S. economic and political institutions produce economic inequality.

“I came to Michigan because it offered the perfect community for my highly interdisciplinary research agenda,” said Alexander Adames, assistant professor of sociology and faculty associate in the Populations Studies Center, who joined the university in August 2025. “The community and opportunities provided by the Stone Center made Michigan the choice in deciding where to start my career as a wealth scholar.”

The center will use new funding to increase support for student and faculty research, providing new opportunities for mentorship and training.

“Cathy and I are proud to continue supporting the Michigan Stone Center’s important work,” said Jim Stone. “We are concerned about the impacts of accelerating wealth inequality — including the threat it poses to social cohesion and democracy. The center’s first five years have been remarkably successful, and we look forward to Michigan’s continued leadership in addressing these challenges.” 

Founded in 2019 at U-M’s Institute for Social Research, the center investigates the roots and impacts of social inequality. Its interdisciplinary team studies wealth gaps, economic mobility and housing, focusing on how geographic, political and institutional factors shape disparities. It became the Stone Center in 2021, strengthening its commitment to collaborative, data-driven research.

“The top 10% of the U.S. population control the majority of our nation’s wealth and the Stone Center supports critical work advancing our understanding of the implications of wealth inequality,” said ISR director Kathleen Cagney. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Stone Foundation for their support.”

“This gift reflects a strong commitment to social science and inequality research, and we’re so thankful to the Stones for their continued support of our Center,” said Pamela Davis-Kean, director of the Survey Research Center. “This generous support allows us to continue to address some of the most pressing research questions of our time.”

Since the Stones made their initial gift to U-M in 2021, faculty and students have published scholarly works on a range of topics, including economic mobility, wealth inequality, the racial wealth gap and the impact of social transfer programs.

Contact: Nicole Bonomini