Craig talks with Allandra Bulger of Co.Act Detroit about what it takes to help non-profits grow and thrive in Detroit.
Craig talks with Allandra Bulger of Co.Act Detroit about what it takes to help non-profits grow and thrive in Detroit.
spk_0: 0:00
the Craig family show on deadline. Detroit is made possible in part by tech Town Detroit. Detroit's entrepreneurship hub. Tech Town. Detroit is a business incubator and accelerator helping tech start ups and local businesses. Launch and grow. Tech Town supports businesses with COWORKING office meeting, an event space. They also connect entrepreneurs to re sources and learning and networking events in Detroit. Tech Down Detroit Detroit's entrepreneurship hub. Everybody thanks for joining me for the Craig Family Show on deadline. Detroit Glenn Heavy with me today and coming up on today's program, Nonprofits are often started by people with great intentions. They want to do good in the world, make a difference in their community, but getting a non profit off the ground. Getting it to be successful is a difficult task. There's not exactly people lining up to give you the money that you might need to start up a nonprofit given me term non profit. It's not something people necessarily want to do. So what's out there to help folks? Well, there's an organization called co AC Detroit. It is doing just that. We're going to talk with their executive director on today's program, so please stick around the correct folly show on deadline. Detroit is made possible in part by Samaritan AAS, state's largest private foster care and adoption agency. Oversee Veritas also provides a number of other service is around the state. They're one of the largest refugee resettlement agencies in Michigan. They serve homeless families, persons with disabilities, abused and trafficked women. They also provide market rate and affordable housing for seniors and HUD housing for families, and also have skilled nursing memory care and rehab communities in Grand Rapids, Cadillac and Saginaw. Samarra talks. We thank them for their support. Your deadline. Detroit Hey, Craig. Thanks for checking up the show. I do appreciate it once again, thanks to our sponsors, checked Detroit and Samarra, Taz, for their continued support of this program. Well, on today's show, we're gonna talk about non profits and getting non profits off the ground in the community again, these organizations doing the work that sometimes government can't do that, frankly, is not necessarily something that is going to earn a lot of money. But it's important work that's being done in our community. That's why give nonprofits as much space on the show as I d'oh, but There's an organization designed specifically to help nonprofits get going, get started, get up and running in the community. It's called co act Detroit. I had an opportunity to go over to the co act offices just the other day and speak to Alondra Bulger, who is the executive director of co act Detroit that CEO dot act Detroit CO AC Detroit And here's that conversation. Welcome to the Craig follows show. It's pleasure to have year.
spk_1: 2:44
Craig, thank you so much for having me.
spk_0: 2:45
Well, you know, before we get in to the new grant program that was just announced under us just getting under way here, I do want to give people an idea off what collect Detroit is all about. But this is focused on nonprofits.
spk_1: 2:59
That's right.
spk_0: 3:00
Why was this important?
spk_1: 3:01
Oh, well, you know, nonprofit serves such an important role in our community when you think about, um, the decreased levels of funding that have occurred both from a federal and a local perspective, often time nonprofit, standing the gaps to ensure that folks are getting what they need in our community. And so as we look to this important role in our profits, play you know, there's been a lot of conversation about insuring in our profits of access to the tools. Resource is information that helped them move their missions forward. So we've been open since June of 2019. However, this is an idea that's been in the making for a few years. Um, we were originally funded with seed funding from the RAF C. Wilson. Join your foundation, Um, and through their focus on on profit capacity building an innovation, they looked at a number of models across the country and also the local stakeholder engagement to understand one what the most pressing needs are of non profits but also with the barriers are toe accessing. Those resource is in that, UM, co act was birth and kind of focused on three things. So the first is our physical space. We have a 65 100 square foot space located at what word in East Grand Boulevard. Um, and that space is meant to be an opportunity for share learning. So we have small to medium size conference rooms, but also flexible work spaces where nonprofits can come in and gather. Um, we also lift up best practices, both from a local and national perspective. And so we do that through leadership training workshops, candid conversations and then we also try to meet nonprofits where they are. So we recognize that there are various, ah, non profits that have unique needs. You have the organization that's got five volunteers. You've got the organization that's got five divisions, right, and their needs are going to be really unique. And so we try to meet them where they are. Um, we also ah, were launched by text on Detroit. And so, given there expertise and experience in the entrepreneurial ecosystem Uh, that is helping form and shaped, uh, collect as well.
spk_0: 4:59
Well, I wanted to ask you about that because, you know, a lot of focus has been placed on getting startups up and going giving them, Ah, the assistance they need to to make good decisions, grow their businesses now. Profits may not have the same sort of trajectory in mind, right? They've got a mission in mind, as opposed to, you know, business goal, for instance. They're not that different, but they are. How is this going to be something that's maybe more nurturing than, say, a tech town environment for for something like that.
spk_1: 5:26
Yeah. So we're not a co working space? Ah, we don't lease offices. And so we literally designed to accelerate collaboration. Um, and we think that working together, particularly through across sector lens, is the play for us to have transformation, transformational change in our community. Um, when we did a lot of our stakeholder engagement, we heard a lot. We had a lot of the needs that nonprofits had, but we also heard two things overwhelmingly. One this desire for folks to get in a room and learn Would he learn with each other and connect to each other? And if you think about it, we've got organizations that might be on one side of the city. Ah, you've got ah, organization is very similar in ah, neighboring suburb, or even within the same city, working on the same issue. And they never get in a room and talk, right. And so this idea of share learning, ah, becomes really important. And that's relational, right? That's relational. The second thing that we heard was this desire to kind of really up in the status quo. So we've got all these organizations working on these really pressing issues. But when you look out on the landscape, we've got incremental progress in our communities. And so I think the difference and what we're attempting to do is really about lifting up collaborative action. Um, we think about our prophet capacity building through a holistic lens that's been informed by, um, research from our partners called the Building a Network report. Ah, and that work is about strengthening the organization's yes, but it's also about strengthening the broader network. How are nonprofits working with each other? Howard. Our profits and philanthropy and the business community and government working with each other. So we see that more holistic approach, Um, as a way to really kind of move things forward.
spk_0: 6:59
I want to go back to something you said a little bit ago when you were talking about barriers to getting these things up and running. As you know, most nonprofits air started with people who have very mission driven. They have got a problem. They would like to solve people they would like to help what sort of barriers typically stand in their way of actually getting it done. Because, you know, oftentimes these are people who just care they don't necessarily have, You know, a business plan per se.
spk_1: 7:25
Yeah. You know, it's interesting. Um, I mentioned the building. A network reported. I wanna call out our four partners who worked on that. The Michigan Non Profit Association Michigan Community Resource is new in the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Ah, and developing that report in those recommendations around on profit capacity building. They did a lot of stakeholder engagement. So lots of focus groups like some surveys. Ah, And what we found was, you know, in lots of instances, ah, non profits do have the business acumen, and they do have the organizational development acumen. Um, but off the time they don't have the access. And we also recognize that there are systemic barriers that we see in everyday society that absolutely are translated into the nonprofit community. And so, um, you know, there are race issues. There are access issues when it comes to being able to connect the funders. And frankly, what we see in the Southeast Michigan is just a really disconnected and disjointed nonprofit community. And so, you know, often self, folks, I've been in the sector my entire career. 16 years or so. And in this particular role, I learn about a new resource every single day, right? And so is someone who has felt like I've had my paws on, You know, my finger on the pulse of what's happening in this nonprofit community. If I don't know those things, I can imagine that there are tons of organizations. And so a big part of our job has been about kind of unearthing these opportunities, and these resource is for non profits.
spk_0: 8:46
And what's your capacity? I mean, in terms of how many organizations you can help at any given time, Is that something that you're looking to grow?
spk_1: 8:53
It's absolutely something that we're looking to grow. So as I mentioned, we've been open since June 2019. Since that time, we've had a little more than 7000 folks into our space s O for meetings, events, workshops, convening Sze, um, and and and we kind of live collaboration with a team of six folks, including myself. And so what that means is we do everything in connection with other folks and by leveraging those relationships and kind of, uh, leveraging our partnerships to reach our tentacles out, we're able to bring more organizations in.
spk_0: 9:21
Well, I have to get to this because you're taking it to a new level now with this new grant program that just unveiled. And I believe it was unveiled pretty much just a little bit ago.
spk_1: 9:32
Yeah, just about a week and 1/2
spk_0: 9:33
ago. Exactly What is this designed to do? First of all, tell me the name. I'm trying to remember what I was looking at, the board out in the office and explain that in just a second. But go ahead.
spk_1: 9:40
Sure, so it's called the Activate Fund. It's a $1.5 million fund with initial investment from the raps equals and join your foundation as well. And what it's meant to do is support nonprofit capacity building and collaboration. Ah, so $1.5 million it's kind of broken down into two components. The first is a 1,000,000 of that. Ah is it will be utilized to address in our prophet fundamentals. So those things that you mentioned around like business infrastructure for an organization, um, we will provide approximately 20 grants up to $50,000 to nonprofit organizations to address that type of need and opportunity in their organization. With the additional half 1,000,000 we're gonna pilot a couple of programmes so often tell folks a lot of what we do here is pilot um we're on the learning journey and we're learning with the nonprofit community needs, and we're working to be as responsive as possible. But we're learning what works and what doesn't. And so in those pilot programs, we are also providing what we call a collaborative pilot. So we have a lot of groups who are working together who utilize our space, and we've been asking them It's great that we can provide the space, But what else do you need to move your collaborative work to get, you know, forward together? So folks who are working on everything from housing, affordability, tofu justice and what we've heard are things like we need someone that can document the process for us. We need someone who can come in and be a neutral facilitator, particularly when you've got organizations around the table. You got power dynamics and challenges like that. And so what? We're offering non profits. On that end, it's essentially access to our space master facilitator and the things that they need to kind of move their collaboration forward
spk_0: 11:16
well, and it does certainly seem to me, and I could be completely wrong about this. But it's somebody who has spent some time in nonprofits in his career that that spirit of collaboration is something that you really need. Thio Boost It's not as let's about competition, that it is about collaboration.
spk_1: 11:32
Absolutely. And you know we're not. When I think about the work that co actors doing in our early existence is really about planning sees the shift culture and the way we work together, Um, that ah, you know that the encouragement of competition is often, uh, facilitated by scarcity mindset. And that's not to say that there aren't really challenges to access and resource is for non profits. But I think that we have a lot more than we realize when we work together. Ah, well, we share information, and we frankly combine our collective brilliance
spk_0: 12:05
while the activate fund getting back to this richest minute. This is, uh, this is a competitive granted. People have to apply for this, and I don't want you to give away exactly what you're looking for. But But what are some things that are going to determine whether or not somebody's ready for that level of investment? Because, you know, somebody could have a great idea. But if there's nothing behind it yet, there's no reason to do it.
spk_1: 12:26
Absolutely. So we are looking for organizations who are ready to make, you know, do the work. Um, we're looking for grant applications that are, um, the marshal of something that will be really impactful in their organization. So ah, an example of that could be, Ah, an organization is looking to develop a fund development plan to take their fund raising to the next level. That is, that is something we may fund. Ah, an organization could be looking to, ah, buildout database or bring on a new software that could really again help them track the folks that they're working with and stakeholders. Um and so we're looking for, um, applicants who can clearly articulate what it is that they're attempting to accomplish something that could be really impactful in their organization. Ah, projects that can happen within the defining time frame. This is an accelerated program. So Ah, we're looking toe the grand period will end in March. And so, folks, you know, we'll have a very tight timeline to execute something. Um And then lastly, you know, we're looking for folks who are aligned with our values. We believe in collaboration. We have, ah, clear devotion and commitment to diversity. Equity and inclusion. Transparency and accountability are all important to us. And so we're also looking for folks who are value aligned. And then lastly, part of what we want to do with the grantees is ensure that, um we're supporting them as a cohort. And so we want to provide opportunities for them to also learn together, because pure learning again is something that we heard is a desire and a need. So folks who are interested in engaging in participating in that type of environment, I think we'll set us will set their grant applications apart.
spk_0: 14:03
Well, you know, you talk about this collaboration and I'm looking at the wall that you have in the lobby over here, and I should remind folks we're sitting right in collects offices as we do this interview today. And I could tell that there was some sort of team building exercise or some sort of exercise happening out there because you have all the stickers. Yeah, well, where people were put down their thoughts about what's gonna make this successful. Uh, what do you get out of an exercise like that? Because you have a lot of participants here from different organizations, and they're all putting something different on the wall. I'm guessing that you get as much value out of that as they probably
spk_1: 14:36
Absolutely. I mean, one of our values is co creation. Um, when you look at the space, when you look at the way that we design our programs, those things aren't created in a vacuum. There's been a lot of stakeholder engagement that has happened previously, and that continues to happen to inform how we think about our work and how we design it. Just want to make sure that we're being responsive to the needs. Um, and so that exercise that you mentioned on the wall happened during our launch. Um, we have folks really share out with us what they thought was possible here. And we we actually read all of them and disseminated them. And we use its inform how we develop our programming
spk_0: 15:10
reminder. My guest right now is a louder Bulger. She's the executive director of CO AC Detroit that c o dot a c T Detroit. You confined him online. If you want more information about the activate grants that are on their the application process there for nonprofits here in the city. Um, getting back to this through the grant program for just a second, because obviously the grantees, as you said, we're gonna have a limited time line to get this stuff done. How are you going to know whether this was money well invested? You know, you have to measure different organizations as to how well they dio What are you gonna be looking for? There.
spk_1: 15:47
So we're gonna be looking for, um, how impactful the ah project that has been funded has been been for their organization. And I wanna you know, Craig, I want to say two things. Recognizing that there are tens of thousands of organizations in our community. Ah, and that there are 20 grants being provided through the nonprofit fundamentals and that will work with five. And the collaborative pilot, um, the organizations that may not receive funding will also have an opportunity to plug into additional programming that we have here as well its programming that we have through our partners. So the activate fund has been supported and inspired by an advisory committee, Um, who has helped shape it. Um, we also have a jury of external partners who would help review applications in select grantees. And so I said that to say that the activate fund the grants are one component, but there's so many other additional. Our resource is connected to it. To your question about evaluation. One of the things that we've baked into the Grant program is a road that we call a resource navigator, um, and that that particular role will be, um, lead bar our partners at Commune Michigan. Community Resource is they will work essentially as a coach with the grantees to help them navigate, um, the process of executing their grant and connecting them with potential service providers for the thing that we're funding for them, and through that will kind of be reporting in documenting the progress along the way, but also will have reporting do at the end of the grant for the grantees to share out their story about what the change has been in their organization
spk_0: 17:20
Well, and again, you know, when you're talking about funds coming from, you know, philanthropic organizations and such. I mean, there are very strict reporting requirements. Ah, they're expecting a lot from you as well. So I'm guessing that you're gonna be judged as much as any of the grantees.
spk_1: 17:36
You know, What I will say is, ah, really gracious to the Roxy Wilson enjoying your foundation? Not only for, um, the funds to support support the activate fund, but also for their philosophy around experimentation and risk taking a spin down organ has been down foundation. Um, you have seen that in their investment, and that holds true for CO ac Detroit. And so I believe that, um, yes, we do have to be able to share out. You know how many folks we've touched on what the change has been, But also again, I'll mention that this is a learning opportunity for us. The work that we are doing here co act, you know, as I've traveled across the country and learned of other non profit centers is very unique. And so I think that a big part of what we're going to discover. We don't know yet.
spk_0: 18:22
Well, that's always the way, isn't it? Yeah, uh, you know, but I look at what you're trying to do here. Uh, and one of the bonuses that comes out of this, I'm guessing is that you are one. You're mentoring certain people. Uh, they in turn, will be somebody in the future that might be able to help somebody in a similar situation. How big a component is that gonna be? And they're going to have people who you hope keep coming back, help out going forward?
spk_1: 18:48
Absolutely. You know, share learning is really important. And what we've been really intentional about is it's empty to build a community around this space. And so we're hoping that again if whether folks get a grant or not, that they continue to come back and support, um, our events in our workshops and that there's still something here for them.
spk_0: 19:06
Well, and we should probably talk about some of the other things that you're offering, though, because this this obviously the grant programs a big deal. This is the big new program. But for somebody that is thinking about getting into this space, what do they need to do to reach out?
spk_1: 19:18
Sure. I mean so coed Detroit dot Orc, Our website. We have all of our events, all of our workshops posted there. But what I will say is, you know, first and foremost there's the space itself. Um, And so, through the funding that we received, we've been able thio provide the space on in kind basis to nonprofit organizations. So if organizations are looking to rent space during regular business hours, they can do that free of charge. Ah, in 2019 along, we provided just a little under $70,000 in kind of space for non profits. And you can imagine, for an organization that normally would have access to a space like that, that is a really big deal. So there's a space itself and you can book the space right online. Um, in terms of our programming, we offer ah, workshops and a broad variety of topics. So Ah, just in the last month, we've had workshops on fund raising and go setting. We got workshops coming up around data and how you measure that and think about data in your organization, um, one program I really would like to call out is cool app Connect. It's a program where nonprofits could meet for 45 minute coaching sessions, one on one with subject matter experts. And so, a couple of days a month, we have experts in the field of, um, marketing and and fundraising, Um HR and Accounting and Finance Legal. And you can come in and meet with those folks with a specific issue that you may be having in your organization. Um, the Michigan Non Profit Association is also in our space once a week, meeting with nonprofits and providing their principles and practices assessment, which is essentially a SWAT analysis for organizations. And again, that is free of charge.
spk_0: 20:51
Well, okay, uh, question is, how long can you keep this going? Exactly? Offering free service is is not always the best way to keep an organization. Yes. Oh,
spk_1: 21:01
so everything. So everything isn't free. It is free. Many things are free or low cost, But again, I'll point back Thio the gracious funding by the Roxy Wilson Jr Foundation and this being an opportunity for us to really learn, Um, what programming is most impactful? Ah, we continue to build relationships with cross sector partners and funders. But in this moment, I think the most important thing for us is the learning journey.
spk_0: 21:26
So we're less than a year in at this point in time. Where would you suggest you are? Is an organization in terms off how the your growth trajectory is going? How many people are utilizing the space? The service is everything else. Are you content with where you are right now?
spk_1: 21:40
I'm never contained. Always. Always. My team would say, would always think we could be doing more. But what I will say is, in terms of where I thought we would be, I think we're in a really good space. We continue to see ah, increased interest in excitement about the work here. It collect. We just had our first in procession on the Activate fund for Wayne County here last night, and we had about 80 folks in the space. Many of the workshops that we've been hosting have also sold out, and so we're kind of seeing this continuous uptick, uh, just again increasing the awareness that we're here. And once folks find out that we are here and they know what we offer, um, they're coming back and they're bringing folks back with them. And so I'm really happy about that. But I'm I'm I won't say I'm a perfectionist, but I'm one who always strives toe do better. And so I think that we can continue to improve.
spk_0: 22:26
All right, well, we'll leave it right there for this day. I appreciate your time and think what you're doing is fantastic. Alondra, Boulder, thank you very much.
spk_1: 22:33
Thank you so much for having me.
spk_0: 22:35
Alondra Bulger again is the executive director of CO AC Detroit. Can you confined information at co ac Detroit dot com? I do appreciate you being with me today. Ah, quick reminder Coming up on Friday. It is the week that was on deadline Detroit And it has been quite a week between Corona virus, the Michigan primary, everything else that is going on. There's plenty to talk about there, so we'll get into that on tomorrow's program. I do believe attorney Steve Fishman is going to be our special guest. Once again, he's been doing a great job for us, so looking forward to having him with us on the program again, we will stream that live at about 11 30 or so tomorrow on my Facebook page, you can find it. They're just look up Craig Folly on Facebook or The Craig Folly Show. There's a separate show pages. Well, you can watch it in either place. I'll have it streaming in both locations. And, of course, it will be available at deadline Detroit dot com a little bit later in the day and available as a downloadable podcast for you as well. So I try to make it is available as possible. Please check it out. We have a lot of fun doing it every week. There's a lot going on some good analysis about what's happening in the world. Also, we have fun with what's going on, so we hope you do as well. And if you like it again, rate the show. Give it five stars if you like. Give it to stars whatever you want to give it. But just check it out. Subscribe, download, share All that good stuff. We're getting more people all the time, which I love to see, and I'd like your feedback as well. So shoot me an email Craig Folly show at gmail dot com, or find me on social media sent me those messages at Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat. Wherever else I am Link did. You can find me there, so I always appreciate hearing from you. In the meantime, have a great day today. Thanks for checking out the show, and we'll be back for the week. That was tomorrow. Craig Folly Show is made possible in part by deadline Detroit Deadline. Detroit has some of the best journalists in the city. We're asking you to support independent local journalism by joining our $3 a month membership. By joining, you become eligible to win prizes, including tickets for sporting events and gift cards to some of Detroit's best restaurants. Just go to our website and click the add at the top or go to www dot deadline Detroit dot com slash membership.