Our Past Challenge Projects

The Challenge Detroit Challenges

Challenges are the heart of the program. In partnership with local nonprofits, the challenges are designed to positively impact the city and region while giving the Fellows an opportunity to learn by doing. Challenge Detroit has supported over 50-nonprofits through challenge projects.

Past project features

Equitable small business growth & entrepreneurship

The Detroit Economic Growth Corp (DEGC), through its Motor City Match program helps start new businesses in Detroit’s commercial corridors, by assisting throughout the start-up and building renovation process and pairing businesses with Detroit real estate. To accomplish this, they provide grants, loans and counseling to building and business owners.

For this challenge project, Fellows conducted interviews to understand the obstacles that impact Motor City Match’s small businesses across Detroit neighborhoods. Using these insights, they generated key findings and actionable recommendations across areas including business-to-business support, resource navigation, and factors that may cause businesses to close, in order to help expand and maximize equitable development opportunities for neighborhood small businesses. Fellows had the opportunity to partner with Kyla Carlsen, DEGC Small Business Manager and Challenge Detroit Alumni Fellow (2015-2016).

Following the project, Motor City Match staff implemented Fellow’s deliverables to address small business challenges including a YouTube financial challenge series, contractor and FAQ resources, a quarterly check-in survey, website and training infographics, and even a pilot internship program.

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Homelessness

Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS) is an organization dedicated to alleviating homelessness in Detroit by providing an array of services that enable people to achieve self-sufficiency and obtain quality affordable housing.

For this challenge project, Fellows helped COTS increase their awareness and stakeholder involvement. The Fellows engaged stakeholders including staff, volunteers, partners, supporters, and residents of COTS to learn more about homelessness and its impact on Detroit. Based on their findings, Fellows designed creative campaigns to attract new donors, better support the individuals served by the organization, cultivate existing relationships and increase overall recognition of the organization’s missions and services. Specifically, Fellows designed a highly impactful marketing and fundraising campaign - “One Step Away” - aimed at sharing the different stories and perspectives of COTS’ stakeholder groups to increase an overall awareness and understanding of the organization.

Following the project, COTS implemented the campaign idea and raised over $40,000 to support their work and shelter.

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2019-2020 (Year EIGHT) Challenge Projects ARCHIVE view +

Summer Impact Projects

Multiple Project Partners
Neighborhood Engagement

Michigan Community Resources
Community Development

Sinai-Grace Guild
Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity

City of Detroit Department of Civil Rights Inclusion & Opportunity
Financial Education for Women

Rebel Nell T.E.A.
Youth Leadership

Detroit Public Schools Community District

2018-2019 (Year SEVEN) Challenge Projects ARCHIVE view +

Community Economic Development

Eastside Community Network
Arts & the Community

Michigan Opera Theatre
Arts & the Community

Hannan Center
Neighborhood Resources

Century Forward
Prevention & Family Support Services

Mariners Inn
Summer Impact Projects

20+ Nonprofit Partners

2017-2018 (Year SIX) Challenge Projects ARCHIVE view +

Youth Engagement

Urban Neighborhood Initiatives
Community Partnerships

Slow Roll
Equitable Entrepreneurship & Small Business Growth

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
Community Partnerships

Detroit Homecoming
Neighborhood Engagement

Detroit Land Bank Authority
Youth Engagement

Detroit Historical Society's Detroit67
Summer Impact Projects

20+ Nonprofit Partners