A Year of Change
As we start our 14th program year and welcome our new class of Fellows, we reflect on and celebrate the years of impact and community that we have cultivated together. The story of Challenge Detroit has been of resilience and one that truly exemplifies the saying “many hands make light work.”
From the first group of host companies who said “yes” to investing in community-minded talent and hosting a Fellow, to our challenge project partners who believed in and trusted the power of collaboration, to the Fellows who harnessed their enthusiasm, curiosity and entrepreneurial spirits to contribute to moving our city forward, to our friends who advocated for and supported us along the way; Challenge Detroit has been greater than the sum of its parts.
This unique combination of people, opportunity and connection working in tandem to move Detroit forward has been a joy to witness. Together we have accomplished so much. We have:
- Supported 188 nonprofits through our challenge project partnerships,
- Given 2,800+ hours of intellectual service,
- Partnered with 149 host companies,
- Attracted and employed 397 Fellows, and
- Generated $21 million dollars in economic impact
When Challenge Detroit was founded in 2008, Detroit was on the verge of bankruptcy, the region was experiencing an exodus of talent and the media portrayed the city as one in despair. Challenge Detroit officially launched in 2012 in response to these challenges.
Today, in so many ways, Detroit’s story has turned a page— the bankruptcy is behind us, new businesses, restaurants and nonprofits have launched, and many neighborhoods are getting the investment they deserve. With the evolution of the city, funder priorities are also changing, which has impacted Challenge Detroit.
So while this year will be a celebration of how far we have come, it will also be Challenge Detroit’s final year. Though this news is bittersweet, and it’s hard to say goodbye – the end is not here yet. Over our final program year, we want to honor everyone who has ever committed to saying “yes”—our current class of fellows and alumni, our host company and challenge project partners, and everyone else who has ever contributed their time, talent and treasure.
We want to make this final year our best year yet and we need your help to do it! Our board has agreed to match all donations received between now and the end of 2025, doubling your impact dollar for dollar up to $25,000.
Will you help us reach our goal of raising $50,000 to close out the program with strength?
Your gift will directly support the work we do in service of our nonprofit partners, provide the spaces and experiences for fellows’ growth, and help us wrap up this year successfully.
We know Challenge Detroit is held dear by our community and we are grateful to each of you – individuals, nonprofits and business partners alike – for years of generous support and immense kindness. We look forward to coming together this final year with all of you as we celebrate 14-years of impact.
Sincerely,
Deirdre Groves, Executive Director
Paulette Bolofer-Fulkerson, Project Design & Partnerships Director
Board of Directors