HOW WE APPROACH OUR WORK: 

• Before each project, our nonprofit partners undergo a robust needs assessment. Findings are used to design projects that will most effectively leverage Fellows’ talent while achieving optimal impact for a nonprofit. 
• As a part of their orientation, Fellows learn about Detroit’s neighborhoods, history and the policies that shaped the City to gain context. Fellows are then trained in the design thinking framework, a human-centered, creative, problem-solving tool where empathy is a key element.
• At the beginning of a project, Fellows participate in empathy based activities to understand the needs of the partner organization, individuals and community they are serving through each project.
• Fellows work on small teams using the design thinking framework and project management skills to execute their work, and are in constant communication with a liaison from the partner nonprofit who provides guidance and feedback.
• At the end of each project, the nonprofit partner is provided with a comprehensive set of ready-to-go deliverables ranging from marketing and fundraising campaigns to organizational strategies and assessments and beyond. The nonprofits then leverage and integrate these deliverables both internally and externally to move their work forward.

OUR NONPROFIT PROJECT PARTNERS

Since 2012, we’ve partnered with over 170 nonprofits on topics ranging from youth development, sustainability, arts & culture, homelessness, food security, mobility, returning citizens and more. 

The 2023-2024 (Year 12) Project Partners are currently being finalized. Please check back here to see which organizations we will be working with this coming program year.