When you’re planning your giving in 2023, consider these 1 0 local nonprofits making a real positive impact right here in metro Detroit.

Brilliant Detroit

Established in 2015, Brilliant Detroit provides a radically new approach to kindergarten readiness in Detroit’s neighborhoods and create s a unique delivery model for early childhood development by supporting the entire family for better young reader outcomes.

The organization leverages underutilized housing stock to create early child and family centers in their o wn neighborhoods, building what it refers to as kid success families and neighborhoods . There, families with children 0 - 8, have what they need to be school ready, healthy and stable – at no cost . This is done by providing proven programming and support year round out of Brilliant Detroit homes in high - need neighborhoods , including through its more than 80 partners and national educational program involvement. Programs are predicated on evidence - based programs around health, family support and education.

In each Brilliant Detroit hub , neighbors come together for fellowship, activities and learning to assure school readiness and provide needed support for families.

Website: BrilliantDetroit.org

Connect Detroit

Connect Detroit is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that strives to address community problems by facilitating and mobilizing funding in support of collaborative community solutions. Since its founding in 2001, it has organized, managed and led four dozen community change initiatives and mobilized more than $140 million in support of its good work. These resulting collaboratives have addressed a range of community problems, including the need for better data for decision - making, a lack of after school programming, the threat of home - based lead hazards and limited access to healthy foods and safe recreational opportunities.

A primary focus of the organization is youth workforce development. Connect Detroit helps drive Detroit’s well - known youth em ployment program, Grow Detroit’s Young Talent. It is one of two organizations helping to administer the program for the City of Detroit , responsible for attracting new internship opportunities a nd handling program registration, payments to youth and more.

Website: ConnectDetroit.org

Fleece & Thank You

Established in 2015, Fleece & Thank You is a Farmington Hills - based nonprofit organization that makes warm, colorful no - sew fleece blankets with video messages of support from makers, then delivers them to hospitals . Annually, its goal is to create 30,000 blankets , one for every child entering the hospital for treatment in Michigan. The bulk of these blankets are created during large scale special events and 300+ community blanket making events. Individuals and small groups also can purchase blanket kits that include all of the raw materials to make a no - sew blanket from the comfort of one’s home. In total, more than 200,000 volunteers have stepped up to create over 130,000 fleece - tie blankets.

Fleece & Thank You also offers a special needs program, providing young adults and adults with physical and cognitive impairments the opportunity to aid in the production of blanket kits and the quality control of blankets going to hospitals. Fleece & Thank You works with its community partners, who typically send job coaches, along with a work crew of adults with cognitive impairments, to the organization’s warehouse for community work exposure in a fun environment.

Website: FleeceAndThankYou.org


LifeBUILDERS

LifeBUILDERS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created in 2005 that has been passionate about the revitalization of a community on Detroit’s far east side known as Regent Park. Its commitment to #InfluenceDetroit has been actualized through a multi - faceted mission: reclaim the neighborhood, empower the youth and build communitiess.

Since its inception, LifeBUILDERS has acquired and preserved more than 70 properties, two apartment buildings, pocket parks and numerous vacant lots and have provided landscaping and beau tification on several of those lots. The organization led the redevelopment of a shuttered elementary school into a $1.2 million, state of the art early childhood education center; repurposed a Chase Bank branch into a first - class community center; upgrade d and maintained a formerly dilapidated city park; and coordinated thousands of volunteer hours in cleaning up and removing blight that had plagued the Regent Park community.

In addition, LifeBUILDERS hosts summer camps for the neighborhood’s children, provides employment opportunities for the neighborhood’s teens and young adults and facilitates community building programs for the neighborhood’s senior citizens.

Website: LifeBuildersDetroit.com


COTS (Creating Opportunities To Succeed)

COTS was formed in 1982 as the Coalition on Temporary Housing to offer support to Detroiters in need of shelter and to address Detroit’s growing homelessness crisis. At inception, residents were often single men and single - parent families but over time the residents COTS served diversified, and the organization evolved to meet the changing needs, expanding support for families and creating opportunities for them to succeed.

Through partnerships with donors, volunteers, corporations, organizations and the broader community at large, COTS opens doors to opportunities by providing coaching and mentorship to families. The organization then works together to build intentional and genuine relationships to explore the root causes of homelessness, increase social capital, discover strengths and support the establishment of goals that move families toward stability. In 2021 alone, and serving 1,210 people in 462 families, COTS provide d 52,415 nutritious meals, 40,212 nights of safe shelter and 1,925 hours of childcare.

Website:COTSDetroit.org

The Detroit Phoenix Center

Detroit Phoenix Center (DPC) is a high - impact nonprofit organization that works to meet the critical, holistic and emergent needs of youth at risk or currently experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. DPC serves minority youth, ages 13 - 24 who are disproportionately represented in foster care, the juvenile justice system and the homeless space through direct services including a daily drop - in center for young adults, after school enrichment programs for teens, youth action board, emergency crisis housing, and a scholarship fund. Detroit Phoenix Center also works diligently for systemic change and contributes to the growing movement to end youth homelessness.

In response to the COVID - 19 pandemic, the Detroit Phoenix Center served more than 590 Detroit youth, delivered more than 7,000 care packages and provided more than 200 days of emergency shelter via hotel stays.

Website: www.detroitphoenixcenter.org


TechTown

TechTown is an urban research and technology business park located in Detroit’s New Center and is the city’s entrepreneurship hub. It is a nonprofit business service organization that provides programs, education and resources for early - to growth - stage small businesses and tech entrepreneurs. TechTown Detroit owns and operates a 135,000 - square - foot building in Detroit’s New Center area that supports co - working, offices, meetings and events. By building bridges for en trepreneurs to succeed, TechTown is accelerating an inclusive and equitable economy for Detroit and Southeast Michigan. TechTown envisions a meaningful and equitable revitalization of Detroit through the launch and sustainable growth of tech startups and s mall businesses that create new jobs, generate revenue, and strengthen neighborhoods and helps tech startups and small businesses develop, launch and grow by connecting entrepreneurs to learning and networking events in Detroit, resources, and meeting spac es. Since 2007, TechTown has supported more than 5,200 entrepreneurs, which created 2,183 jobs and raised more than $207 million in startup and growth capital.

Website: www.techtowndetroit.org


The Detroit Parks Coalition

The Detroit Parks Coalition is an alliance of diverse organizations working to expand resources for downtown and neighborhood park groups in the city. The coalition includes representatives from 10 park stewardship organization s, covering more than 20 parks across the city of Detroit.

The Detroit Parks Coalition is coming together to collaboratively grow resources and support healthy, equitable and vibrant parks and public spaces. The coalition offers a diverse mix of voices and perspectives to support park restoration, enhancement, programming, recreation, and natural preservation while focusing on long - term sustainability and advancing community voice. The Detroit Parks Coalition is working to ensure that all can experience t he social, economic, physical, and spiritual benefits of Detroit’s parks for decades to come. The Detroit Parks Coalition aims to build a network and create better experiences for park users through expanded and coordinated programming, maintenance and cap ital improvements. The DPC has awarded over $450,000 in grants to support park improvements and amenities such as benches, trash cans and way finding signs.

Website: www.detroitparkscoalition.com


The Downtown Detroit Partnership

The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) strengthens and supports Downtown Detroit through strategic initiatives and programs. DDP convenes business, philanthropic and government partners to create a vibrant and resilient urban core for Detroit and the surrounding community working with critical stakeholders in public and private sectors on multiple programs and projects to enhance Downtown’s appeal to businesses, residents and visitors. Additionally, DDP provides direct services that make Downtown a cleaner and safer place.

DDP is also the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that programs and manages several of Downtown Detroit’s Parks + Public Spaces, including Campus Martius Park, Cadillac Square, Beacon Park, Capitol Park, Grand Circus Park and the Woodward Esplanade. These award - winning public spaces attract residents, visitors and businesses and serve as catalysts for new investments and developments in the city. The DDP also organizes and manages more than 2,000 events and programs in the parks each year, including the Detroit Tree Lighting, Cider In The City, The Beach at Campus Martius Park, Parktoberfest, Movie Nights In The D, Market Fridays, Downtown Street Eats and more.

Website: www.downtowndetroit.org


SHARE Detroit

Share Detroit is a community engagement conduit offering simple ways for neighbors, nonprofits and businesses to come together and strengthen our local community. The platform makes it easy for people to find over 300 local nonprofits and engage with them how they choose, whether it’s donating money, volunteering time, attending an event or buying much needed items from nonprofit wish lists. SHARE Detroit amplifies the needs of the entire metro Detroit nonprofit community, giving all organizations a chance to be seen and heard regardless of size, focus area or budget. And allowing passionate metro Detroiters to find a local nonprofit that speaks to their heart to donate to and/or volunteer with.

Website: ShareDetroit.org