Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• EIN: 38-2352462
• Annual Revenue (2023): $12,220,449
• Annual Grantmaking (2023): $884,420
• Number of Awards (2023): 20
• Grant Range: Up to $15,000 (NeighborHUB program)
• Geographic Focus: Southeast Michigan, primarily Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck
• Charity Navigator Rating: Four Stars (90% overall rating)
• Program Expense Ratio: 85.75%

Contact Details

Address: One Woodward Ave., Suite 1900 P.O. Box 33840 Detroit, MI 48232

Phone: (313) 964-4000

Fax: (313) 964-0183

Website: https://www.detroitchamber.com/

NeighborHUB Program: https://www.detroitchamber.com/neighborhub/

Detroit Promise Program: https://www.detroitchamber.com/education-talent/detroit-promise/

Overview

The Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation Inc, established in 1981, is the nonprofit arm of the Detroit Regional Chamber, the third-largest chamber of commerce in the United States. The Foundation is dedicated to growing programs and initiatives that ensure the Detroit region's economy becomes one of the fastest growing in the U.S.

With annual revenue of approximately $12.2 million and grantmaking of $884,420 in 2023, the Foundation leads a comprehensive education and talent portfolio with an ambitious goal: to increase postsecondary degree attainment in Southeast Michigan to 60% by 2030, while cutting the racial equity gap in half. The Foundation has earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, demonstrating strong accountability and financial management with 85.75% of expenses going directly to programs.

The Foundation serves dual roles as both a program administrator (managing initiatives funded by other entities like the Detroit Promise Zone Authority) and as a direct grantmaker through programs like NeighborHUB and the Detroit Drives Degrees Community College Collaborative (D3C3).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. NeighborHUB Grant Program

• Grant Amount: Up to $15,000 per recipient
• Total Investment: Over $2.55 million awarded to 107 grants since inception
• Annual Cohort: Typically 20-30 recipients per year (10 nonprofits, 20 small businesses)
• Application Method: Annual open application with fixed deadlines
• Partnership: Collaboration with Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and General Motors
• Geographic Focus: Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck
• Purpose: Funding for projects that improve business operations or increase community impact, including building improvements, signage, equipment purchases, interior updates, delivery vehicles/mobile units, and online operations upgrades

2. Detroit Promise Scholarship Program

• Type: Individual scholarships (not organizational grants)
• Scope: Last-dollar scholarships for Detroit high school graduates
• Coverage: Three years of tuition and fees at 32 participating Michigan colleges
• Funding Source: Michigan Education Excellence Foundation and Detroit Promise Zone Authority
• Role: Foundation serves as program administrator

3. Detroit Drives Degrees Community College Collaborative (D3C3)

• Total Investment: Over $30 million from Ballmer Group and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
• Recipients: Seven community colleges in Southeast Michigan
• Individual Grants: Range from $2.9 million to $4.7 million per institution
• Purpose: Financial resources and technical assistance to implement collaborative regional strategies improving educational opportunities and strengthening the talent pipeline

Priority Areas

Economic Development:

• Small business growth and sustainability
• Neighborhood revitalization and community impact
• Support for minority-owned and women-owned businesses (78% and 71% of NeighborHUB recipients respectively)
• Creation of collaborative spaces that foster change in neighborhoods

Education and Talent Development:

• Postsecondary educational attainment
• Community college system support and improvement
• Student success programs and campus coaching
• Reducing racial equity gaps in educational achievement
• College readiness, access, and completion

Workforce Development:

• Strengthening the regional talent pipeline
• Supporting trade schools and vocational training
• Connecting education to career opportunities
• Addressing employer talent needs

What They Don't Fund

Based on available information, the Foundation's programs are highly targeted:

• Organizations outside of Southeast Michigan (for most programs)
• Organizations outside Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck (for NeighborHUB)
• Large businesses (NeighborHUB limited to businesses with fewer than 25 employees)
• Businesses operating less than one year (for NeighborHUB)
• Individual scholarships outside the Detroit Promise program guidelines

Governance and Leadership

President & Chief Executive Officer: Sandy K. Baruah

• Joined the Chamber in 2010 after distinguished career in Washington, D.C.
• Leads the third-largest chamber of commerce in the nation
• Oversees signature initiatives including Forward Detroit, MICHauto, and the Mackinac Policy Conference
• Also serves as Principal Officer of the Foundation

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer: Karen Belans

• Serves as Treasurer of the Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation
• Manages financial management, budgeting, auditing, and tax-planning strategies

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer: Megan Spanitz

• Previously served as Vice President of Resource Development and Marketing
• Oversees integrated marketing and fundraising strategy for the Chamber Foundation

Board Structure:

• The Foundation operates with 83% independent board members according to Charity Navigator
• No material diversions of assets reported
• Audited financial statements maintained

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

NeighborHUB Grant Program (Primary External Grant Program):

Eligibility Requirements:

For Small Businesses:

• Valid business with EIN number and W9
• At least 1 year in operation
• Fewer than 25 employees
• Located in Detroit, Highland Park, or Hamtramck

For Nonprofits:

• Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
• Located in Detroit, Highland Park, or Hamtramck

Application Process:

• Annual open application cycle
• Applications submitted online through the Detroit Regional Chamber website
• Information sessions typically held prior to application deadlines
• Advisory group evaluates all applications

Approved Uses of Funds:

• Building improvements
• New signage
• Equipment purchases
• Interior updates
• Delivery vehicles or mobile units
• Upgrades to online operations

Decision Timeline

NeighborHUB Timeline (based on recent cycles):

• Application Opens: Typically September
• Application Deadline: Early November
• Evaluation Period: November - December
• Selection Announcement: Early January
• Funding Distribution: January of award year
• Funding Available Through: December of award year

Application Volume: More than 350 applications submitted for the 2024 cohort

Success Rates

NeighborHUB Program:

• 2024 Cohort: 30 recipients selected from 350+ applications
• Approximate Success Rate: 8-9%
• Total Recipients to Date: 107 organizations (includes previous cohorts)
• Demographics of 2024 Recipients: 78% minority-owned or led; 71% women-owned or led

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Applicants should contact the Foundation directly to inquire about reapplication guidelines.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrated Community Impact: The Foundation prioritizes projects that "foster collaboration, change, and positively impact their neighborhoods." Successful applicants clearly articulate how their project will benefit the broader community beyond their own organization.

Alignment with Economic Development Goals: As stated in their mission, the Foundation seeks to ensure "the Detroit region's economy is one of the fastest growing in the U.S." Applications should connect their work to economic growth, job creation, or economic opportunity.

Operational Readiness: NeighborHUB provides "additional consulting and support services to ensure that projects are successful and sustainable." The Foundation looks for organizations ready to execute their proposed projects effectively.

Regional Strategy Alignment: For D3C3 and education-focused initiatives, the Foundation emphasizes "collaborative regional strategies." Applications that demonstrate collaboration with other institutions or alignment with the 60% postsecondary attainment goal are favored.

Diversity and Inclusion: With 78% of NeighborHUB recipients being minority-owned or led and 71% women-owned or led, the Foundation clearly prioritizes supporting diverse leadership and communities traditionally underserved.

Clear Budget and Timeline: NeighborHUB requires specific information about approved uses (building improvements, equipment, signage, etc.). Successful applications include detailed budgets showing how grant funds will be used for eligible purposes.

Evidence of Sustainability: The Foundation mentions providing support to ensure projects are "successful and sustainable," suggesting they look for organizations with plans beyond the initial grant period.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity is critical: For NeighborHUB, you must be located in Detroit, Highland Park, or Hamtramck - no exceptions based on available information.

• Competition is steep: With a success rate around 8-9% for NeighborHUB (30 awards from 350+ applications), your application must clearly stand out in demonstrating community impact.

• Think beyond your organization: The Foundation emphasizes neighborhood impact, collaboration, and regional economic growth - frame your work in these broader contexts.

• Attend information sessions: The Foundation offers information sessions before application deadlines - attending shows commitment and provides valuable insights into what evaluators seek.

• Emphasize economic development: Every program connects to the Foundation's core mission of making Detroit's regional economy one of the fastest growing - make this connection explicit in your narrative.

• Budget must align with approved uses: For NeighborHUB, funding is specifically for building improvements, signage, equipment, interior updates, delivery vehicles/mobile units, and online operations - applications for other purposes will likely be rejected.

• Consider the dual timeline: Applications open in September, close in November, with funding distributed in January - plan your project timeline to align with this schedule.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation Inc. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/382352462 (Accessed February 24, 2026)

2. Candid Foundation Directory - Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation Inc. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=9296237 (Accessed February 24, 2026)

3. GuideStar Profile - Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation Inc. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/38-2352462 (Accessed February 24, 2026)

4. Detroit Regional Chamber - NeighborHUB Grant Program. https://www.detroitchamber.com/neighborhub/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

5. Detroit Regional Chamber - Detroit Promise Scholarships. https://www.detroitchamber.com/education-talent/detroit-promise/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

6. Detroit Regional Chamber - Detroit Drives Degrees Community College Collaborative. https://www.detroitchamber.com/education-talent/detroit-drives-degrees/d3c3/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

7. Charity Navigator - Detroit Regional Chamber. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/380477570 (Accessed February 24, 2026)

8. DBusiness Magazine - "Detroit Regional Chamber, GM Present $600K in Neighborhood Grants" (2024). https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/detroit-chamber-of-commerce-gm-present-600k-in-neighborhood-grants/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

9. EL CENTRAL Hispanic News - "Detroit Regional Chamber, General Motors Announce 30 Nonprofit, Small Business, Recipients of $600K in NeighborHUB Grants" (2024). https://elcentralmedia.com/neighborhub-english/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

10. Kresge Foundation - "Kresge grants $450,000 to Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation to improve college readiness, access and success." https://kresge.org/news-views/kresge-grants-450000-to-detroit-regional-chamber-foundation-to-improve-college-readiness-access-and-success/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

11. Ballmer Group - Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation, Inc. https://ballmergroup.org/grant/detroit-regional-chamber-foundation-inc-2/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

12. Detroit Regional Chamber - Staff Directory. https://www.detroitchamber.com/about/chamber-staff/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

13. Detroit City Wire - "Detroit Regional Chamber opens applications for 2026 NeighborHUB grant program" (2025). https://detroitcitywire.com/stories/675433955-detroit-regional-chamber-opens-applications-for-2026-neighborhub-grant-program (Accessed February 24, 2026)

14. Cause IQ - Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/detroit-regional-chamber-foundation,382352462/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

15. Instrumentl - Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation Inc 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/detroit-regional-chamber-foundation-inc (Accessed February 24, 2026)