Good organizations in Detroit to donate to

August 14, 2011 2:38 PM

I'd like to make a birthday donation for my mother that supports civic enhancement issues in Detroit (historic preservation, greenbelt development for example) - what organization would make good use of my donation?

My mom has a big birthday coming up this week & instead of buying something she may not use, I'm thinking donation. She grew up in Detriot during the Golden Years & has a huge amount of hometown pride/sadness about its more recent history. So I'd like to donate to a group there in her name. Anybody closer to the ground there, who's doing good work there to preserve/restore the community? I can't ask my relatives there for suggestions because the secret would get blabbed and back to her right away.

posted by gov_moonbeam to society & culture (9 answers total)

I'm not in Detroit, but my parents grew up there too. What about the Hub of Detroit?.

Their mission: The Hub of Detroit’s mission is to provide cycling education and services with a focus on youth development, sustainable practices, and community access.

I met someone from there a year or two ago, and he was very enthusiastic and interested my mom's stories about what Detroit was like growing up. Plus I like bikes.
posted by katinka-katinka at 2:52 PM on August 14, 2011

I googled "historic preservation" and "Detroit" and found this which looks like it might fit the bill.
posted by la petite marie at 3:35 PM on August 14, 2011

Arise Detroit
posted by quodlibet at 4:28 PM on August 14, 2011

I asked a cousin who lives in the Detroit area, and she suggested Focus:Hope. The co-founder, Eleanor Josaitis, died this past week; the funeral was yesterday. Community revitalization is just part of what this organization does.
posted by jeri at 4:33 PM on August 14, 2011 [2 favorites]

I came to say what Jeri said. There isn't a much better group in Detroit, Focus Hope has a sterling reputation and does good work.
posted by tomswift at 4:34 PM on August 14, 2011 [2 favorites]

I was born in Detroit but I've not even visited since my dad moved away 15 years ago. Can I suggest Mosaic theatre company as something a little different? Disclaimer: it's run by my friend Rick.
posted by mgrrl at 5:09 PM on August 14, 2011

Here to suggest Focus Hope, too.
posted by Nickel Pickle at 6:29 PM on August 14, 2011

For an environmental group: Friends of the Rouge - Promoting restoration and stewardship of the Rouge River since 1986
posted by BinGregory at 6:35 AM on August 15, 2011

I volunteered with Focus Hope when I was in Americorps, so I would recommend them too. I also worked with the Accounting Aid Society preparing taxes for low income Detroit residents. It's a pretty niche non-profit, but they do good work.
posted by anotherkate at 7:14 AM on August 16, 2011