Five regional foundations invest $2 million to strengthen a coordinated model that helps nonprofits access trusted expertise, practical resources and peer learning.

Every day across Southeast Michigan, nonprofit organizations strengthen neighborhoods, expand opportunity, support families and respond to their communities’ evolving needs. Behind that work is another kind of infrastructure: the trusted relationships, shared expertise and organizational support that help nonprofits adapt, lead and thrive.

The Transforming Solidarity Collective (TSC) was created to strengthen that infrastructure. Earlier this month, the collective announced a new $2 million collaborative investment from the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, McGregor Fund, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and The Skillman Foundation to expand a coordinated network that helps nonprofits access trusted expertise, organizational strengthening resources and peer learning.

The five foundations chose to invest together in an existing network of nonprofit intermediary organizations already serving as trusted partners to hundreds of organizations across Southeast Michigan.

The investment expands TSC’s ability to connect nonprofits with coordinated support in legal compliance, advocacy, organizational strategy, leadership development, technology and cybersecurity, peer learning, governance, staff wellbeing and organizational resilience.

The announcement builds on months of conversations among nonprofit leaders and regional funders about how best to strengthen the sector during a period of significant funding, policy and operational change. It also reflects findings from Michigan Community Resources’ recent assessment of 158 nonprofits across southern Michigan, which identified growing demand for coordinated technical assistance, trusted guidance and opportunities for nonprofit leaders to learn from one another.

“The strongest nonprofit ecosystems are built through collaboration,” said Kate Levin Markel, President of McGregor Fund, speaking on behalf of the participating funders. “The Transforming Solidarity Collective demonstrates what is possible when organizations share expertise, coordinate resources and invest in one another’s success. Our role is to strengthen that model so even more nonprofits can benefit from it.”

The Transforming Solidarity Collective brings together Community Development Advocates of Detroit, Co.act Detroit, Michigan Community Resources, Michigan Nonprofit Association and Nonprofit Enterprise at Work. Working together, they provide nonprofits with coordinated access to advocacy guidance, legal and governance support, technology and cybersecurity expertise, organizational planning, leadership development, peer learning and staff wellbeing resources. Michigan Community Resources serves as TSC’s fiscal sponsor, central administrator and convening partner.

“Transforming Solidarity Collective exists because nonprofit leaders told us they wanted support that was connected rather than fragmented,” said Shamyle Dobbs, Co-CEO of Michigan Community Resources. “Each organization in this partnership brings different expertise, but together we can offer something more valuable: a trusted network that helps nonprofits find the right support, at the right time, from the right partner.”

“Our nonprofit sector is one of Southeast Michigan’s greatest strengths,” said Ezekiel Harris, Executive Director of Co.act Detroit. “Organizations across our region continue to innovate, collaborate and show up for their communities every day. This investment strengthens the network surrounding those organizations so they can keep focusing on the people and places they serve.”

“At NEW, we’re committed to this work together, and we’re so grateful that we have these folks to count on and come alongside as we continue our pursuit of a just and thriving SE Michigan.” commented Will Jones III, CEO and President of Nonprofit Enterprise at work, “We’re incredibly excited about the investment our partners are making in this collective – in terms of funding, and organizational attention and energy.”

As the collaborative continues to grow, TSC partners will expand programming, deepen relationships across the nonprofit ecosystem and connect more organizations with practical tools and trusted expertise. Together, they are strengthening the infrastructure that helps Southeast Michigan’s nonprofit sector continue leading, innovating and serving communities.