About
The Detroit Foundation is a community of Michiganders helping Detroiters in their efforts to improve the City and recover from the troubles in the automotive, housing and economic markets. We focus on social entrepreneurship and job growth in the Detroit metropolitan area, using grants to help non-profit and for-profit startups get going. The process is democratic – our membership votes on grants and decides as a group. Most importantly, we connect the Pro-Detroit community on-line and in-person to help work toward a better Detroit.
The spotlight is on Detroit. We’d like it to be for the *right* reasons.
Detroit is a Microcosm of National Troubles
-
Economy – With effective unemployment growing and the former economic anchor, the auto industry, striving to regain momentum; other industries including green and knowledge based, are being given new focus.
-
Housing – Detroit is grappling with its need to right size the City, an issue created by a population decline from over two million to under one million residents. Houses are vacant; buildings are falling down; whole blocks look like vestiges from a war zone. At the same time, a new spirit has captured the city-core, breathing new life into some areas. By enhancing the momentum of the growing arts community and encouraging young, dynamic individuals to become invested in the space; there is great hope for what the future will hold.
-
Education – Detroit’s testing scores rank it among one of the worst performing school districts in the country. Kids need a good education to get good jobs. Parents need support to help them help their kids. An emergency financial administrator can only do so much; community is key to changing the culture to one that values education and demands excellence.
It’s Broken, but We Can Help Fix It
Those who love Detroit – and not just in words, but in actions – can and should do just that: ACT. Together we can help get the city back on the right track. Generations leave Michigan for education and employment, creating a “Detroit Diaspora” spread across the country. This “lost generation” of Detroiters represent their hometown pride through Tigers hats and Red Wing jerseys, but currently have no way to help remedy a solution. The problem is big but we tackle it by seeding organizations that will grow into the next great forces in the city. We need to do what we do best; work hard and rebuild the one of the greatest American cities. Be part of the legacy and support The Detroit Foundation today.
How We Will Do It
With your help. Plain and simple. We can.
-
Grow the Pro-Detroit community – Detroit expatriates are scattered throughout the world and we are connecting them using social media online using Twitter, Facebook, and our website. As word of mouth continues to spread, expats join ready, willing and able to contribute to Detroit TODAY.
-
Help start something great – Our member community will guide our grant-making decisions by voting on which social entrepreneurs to support. Wearing the badge of Detroit on their sleeves, our members will be advocates for Detroit’s efforts to rebuild itself.
-
Evolve the Nonprofit model – We believe innovation will resurrect Detroit and that applies to ourselves as well. We believe our donors and members deserve a voice in where the money goes, and we’ll ask them to vote. In addition, we are uniting the people who no longer live in Detroit to join the effort to help save it – something no one else has done.
The Detroit Foundation is a community of Michiganders helping Detroiters in their efforts to improve the City and recover from the troubles in the automotive, housing and economic markets. We focus on social entrepreneurship and job growth in the Detroit metropolitan area, using grants to help non-profit and for-profit startups get going. The process is democratic – our membership votes on grants and decides as a group. Most importantly, we connect the Pro-Detroit community on-line and in-person to help work toward a better Detroit.