Why do foundations think they can run the world with their money?

http://www.freep.com/article/20111217/NEWS01/112170401/Light-rail-investors-press-on-with-plans-to-build-shorter-line-in-Detroit

It irritates me that the Kresge Foundation thinks that they get to decide how public transportation gets planned in the City of Detroit, rather than the elected officials.  They want a light rail from Downtown to New Center, which is only a few minutes by bus.  Ride the damn bus you rich a-holes! The decision to add more and faster bus routes throughout the region, rather than a light rail up and down one street was the better option toward fixing the public transportation problems in Detroit.