Gilbert Family Foundation

"Detroit has a long history of leading the world through art, design and innovation," - Laura Grannemann, Executive Director, Gilbert Family Foundation We're proud to invest in Detroit's creative future and remove financial barriers for talented students pursuing careers in art and design. Which is why we are excited to announce that we’ve expanded our scholarship support at College for Creative Studies (CCS) with an additional $1M grant, bringing our total commitment to $2M! This expansion will now provide full four-year scholarships to two Detroit students annually, plus funding for pre-college workshops and completion scholarships. Learn More: https://bit.ly/4hpjvgg

We're proud to celebrate one year of Seed & Bloom: Detroit—our $1.5M initiative supporting Detroit-based BIPOC artists in building sustainable creative practices. We believe that investing in artists means investing in Detroit's future—its neighborhoods, cultural identity, and community bonds. In partnership with United States Artists and the The Kresge Foundation, we've witnessed meaningful impact in our first cohort of artist fellows. The program provides $150,000 in flexible grants over three years, alongside customized technical assistance. The goal is for artists to grow their artistic practice into sustainable businesses that will take root in Detroit neighborhoods. Seed and Bloom aims to strengthen the bonds between artists, entrepreneurs and their communities, and we are excited to continue this journey of nurturing growth and transformation in Detroit's creative ecosystem! Learn More: https://bit.ly/4iCqnYN (Photos from Seed and Bloom fellow Tiff Massey's exhibit at the DIA, "Tiff Massey: 7 Mile + Livernois)

We are grateful for the leadership of Dr. Kalyan Vinnakota, Ph.D., who leads our Curing NF team! Dr. Vinnakota is instrumental in driving our mission to accelerate a cure for neurofibromatosis.

We're creating pathways to stable housing and building opportunity in Detroit. In 2023, we invested $10M to launch the Detroit Housing Network, a partnership between CHN Housing Partners and City of Detroit, to create a streamlined "front door" for Detroiters looking to receive information, support and resources for critical housing services. Through the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine, residents can now connect with essential resources like foreclosure counseling, home repairs, and eviction defense assistance—all through one centralized system. By unifying neighborhood-based housing providers under one intake system, we've dramatically simplified the process for residents seeking help. This partnership has also streamlined the Homeowners Property Tax Exemption (HOPE) Program, making it more accessible to those who need it most. In this video, Darnell Adams, our VP of Detroit Community Initiatives, explains why DHN is critical for identifying and supporting Detroit's housing needs. Learn more about DHN: https://bit.ly/3XMPhMX

"On 313 Day, we're reminded what makes this city special—its people. Detroit's legacy is powerful, but our future is even more promising. We're ensuring every Detroiter has the opportunity to be part of that future." --Darnell Adams, Vice President, Detroit Community Initiatives #313Day isn't just a celebration of Detroit; it's about honoring the spirit of our city and the people who contribute to its legacy. In the same way, our work isn't just about funding initiatives; it's about investing in Detroit's excellence to build brighter futures. For us, every day is 313 Day.

Exciting news for Detroit talent: The Apple Developer Academy is now accepting applications for its 2025-2026 cohort! We've supported the ADA since it launched in 2021, and have witnessed firsthand how this free, 10-month intensive program transforms lives and creates pathways to success. Learners receive training in coding, design, marketing, business operations and project management—equipping Detroit residents with the skills needed to build iOS apps and contribute to their local businesses and communities. Our support has helped create a direct talent pipeline into Rocket and other Detroit businesses, the Renaissance second-year program with advanced training, and the implementation of the Operations School, providing specialized workforce and entrepreneurship education. Learn more and read success stories: https://bit.ly/3XFbEUE Apply now: https://bit.ly/3DA43zQ

Our Vice President of Detroit Community Initiatives, Darnell Adams, will be speaking at Bisnow's event highlighting the Detroit State of Market, where he will join other panelists discussing the potential of asset class combinations. Register now and learn more: https://bit.ly/3FlifgU

Thursday, Network Connection spotlighted the dedicated professionals fueling Detroit’s growth. Kicking off in the morning with a warm welcome from Invest Detroit, Gilbert Family Foundation, and the City of Detroit's Mayor's Office, the event ran through the afternoon, offering main stage discussions, speed coaching, vendor meet-and-greets, plus on-site headshots and interviews. Detroit contractors gained fresh perspectives, met new collaborators, and discovered innovative resources to elevate their work. For more information on Motor City Contractor Fund empowers Detroit contractors visit https://lnkd.in/gfa62Yq9

Last week, Motor City Contractor Fund hosted their Network Connect event, connecting participating contractors with networking opportunities, business growth resources, and industry connections. We are beyond proud to have helped launch and accelerate the continued growth of MCCF in our mission to support Detroit-based small contractors with the resources they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/g9gqSBiX Special thank you to Kinnus Paul and Linda Nosegbe for leading this important work! (Pictured: Jason Barnett, Dandridge Floyd, Kinnus Paul, Linda Nosegbe, Krysta Pate, Nicole Parker)

We're proud to announce our $1.5 million investment in the "Authentic Eastern Market" campaign, partnering with Eastern Market Partnership to strengthen Detroit's vibrant food economy and advance equity in urban farming! A cornerstone of this initiative is the Shed 7 Regional Wholesale Distribution Center, which will provide dedicated space and resources for Detroit-based BIPOC farmers to scale their operations. This project will initially support 14 small business entrepreneurs, creating 28 full-time equivalent jobs with potential for further growth. Together with other foundation partners, we're working to ensure that Eastern Market continues to serve as an engine for economic mobility and sustainable urban agriculture. (Special thank you to Brandi Brown, Linda Nosegbe, JJ Vélez and Cayla Chamberlin!) Learn More: https://bit.ly/3QnUrv2