Nonprofits create foundations for success
Rich Homberg
Rich Homberg
In difficult times, it is easy to point to things that are going wrong. It is really time to identify the efforts that have traction or are gaining traction and figure out how to add to their momentum.
During the last three years, the dialogue in our region has turned to the critical need for cooperation, collaboration and the hard job of transforming Detroit. While many in government and business seek to lead change, I believe our strongest examples of true leadership are in our foundation community. Have you heard about the Dequindre Cut or looked at the work being done on the North End Project? The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Knight Foundation understand that green spaces and collaborative efforts will revitalize neighborhoods.
For a benchmark in cooperation, how about the $100 million New Economy Initiative, which includes 10 different foundations jointly tackling three different critical areas key to our growth? Especially significant here is that the Ford Foundation is back in Detroit in a strong way with its $25 million pledge to the initiative. Want to see tough-minded business basics in action? Watch Hudson-Webber go through your grant proposal, line by line, and try to answer their questions about your impact, effectiveness and efficiency. Talk to Mike Brennan about the way he has dramatically reshaped the United Way's priorities during the last three years with a process that has been open, inclusive and demanding. Is focus part of our challenge? Both the Skillman and Knight foundations are targeting specific geographic areas with projects that will improve the lives of children in Detroit --neighborhood by neighborhood. Strategic partnerships? Look at all that Richard Manoogian and the Masco Corporation Foundation have done to foster support for Detroit Institute of Arts, Sphinx Organization and other arts and human service initiatives. Preparedness? Nothing tests a nonprofit's readiness to achieve its goals better than a Capital Challenge Grant from Kresge. It can drive any nonprofit organization across Detroit to better understand its role in our region, raise new dollars from new and existing donors, and fulfill its mission into the future. A Kresge Challenge Grant strengthens nonprofit organizations, which in turn, enhances the quality of life in our region -- keys to attracting and retaining a superior work force.
Here's a challenge for all organizations. Attend a meeting with any of the major foundations in Detroit. You'll start on time, follow a strong agenda, answer tough questions and walk away knowing that the job will get done. How do you build momentum? Add your personal energy to a collaborative effort going on between two or more nonprofits or foundations that are making a difference. Maybe your efforts will be another spark to accelerate positive change in the communities in which we live.
During the last three years, the dialogue in our region has turned to the critical need for cooperation, collaboration and the hard job of transforming Detroit. While many in government and business seek to lead change, I believe our strongest examples of true leadership are in our foundation community. Have you heard about the Dequindre Cut or looked at the work being done on the North End Project? The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Knight Foundation understand that green spaces and collaborative efforts will revitalize neighborhoods.
For a benchmark in cooperation, how about the $100 million New Economy Initiative, which includes 10 different foundations jointly tackling three different critical areas key to our growth? Especially significant here is that the Ford Foundation is back in Detroit in a strong way with its $25 million pledge to the initiative. Want to see tough-minded business basics in action? Watch Hudson-Webber go through your grant proposal, line by line, and try to answer their questions about your impact, effectiveness and efficiency. Talk to Mike Brennan about the way he has dramatically reshaped the United Way's priorities during the last three years with a process that has been open, inclusive and demanding. Is focus part of our challenge? Both the Skillman and Knight foundations are targeting specific geographic areas with projects that will improve the lives of children in Detroit --neighborhood by neighborhood. Strategic partnerships? Look at all that Richard Manoogian and the Masco Corporation Foundation have done to foster support for Detroit Institute of Arts, Sphinx Organization and other arts and human service initiatives. Preparedness? Nothing tests a nonprofit's readiness to achieve its goals better than a Capital Challenge Grant from Kresge. It can drive any nonprofit organization across Detroit to better understand its role in our region, raise new dollars from new and existing donors, and fulfill its mission into the future. A Kresge Challenge Grant strengthens nonprofit organizations, which in turn, enhances the quality of life in our region -- keys to attracting and retaining a superior work force.
Here's a challenge for all organizations. Attend a meeting with any of the major foundations in Detroit. You'll start on time, follow a strong agenda, answer tough questions and walk away knowing that the job will get done. How do you build momentum? Add your personal energy to a collaborative effort going on between two or more nonprofits or foundations that are making a difference. Maybe your efforts will be another spark to accelerate positive change in the communities in which we live.
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We welcome your comments and hope that you’ll spread the word about positive collaborations in Southeast Michigan. If we all share a story about this, perhaps we will put the need for greater collaboration at the top of the list of solutions!
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