STORIES


Stories of growth, stories of impact, stories from our community.

Storytelling Campaign Captures the Entrepreneurial Energy of Detroit

Since 2007, when the Community Foundation launched the New Economy Initiative (NEI) with support from other foundations, it has had a tremendous impact on the region’s culture of entrepreneurship. In...

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2018 NEIdeas Winners Announced

New Economy Initiative Awards $260K to Small Businesses Across Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park – NEIdeas Program has Awarded $2.16M to 144 Businesses since 2014 In its fifth year, the...

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In Press Release

Investing in Talent, Near and Far

Supporting Existing Local Talent Talent development is crucial to a healthy economy and the region. The Community Foundation understands that, in addition to attracting new talent to our growing and...

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Detroit Innovation Fellowship

The New Economy Initiative is launching a new talent development program, the Detroit Innovation Fellowship (DIF), that is designed to promote and invest in social entrepreneurs and innovators who are...

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In General

New Economy Initiative 2017 Annual Report New Economy Initiative 2017

The mission of the New Economy Initiative is to grow an inclusive culture of entrepreneurship in southeast Michigan that benefits all residents and strengthens the regional economy. We invite you...

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In In The News

Winners of NEIdeas

The New Economy Initiative recently announced the winners of the fourth annual business challenge, known as NEIdeas. Nearly 700 local business owners from Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park applied for...

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New Economy Initiative

Regional Economic Vitality A strong economy is vital to every successful community. We are becoming a destination for many newcomers including entrepreneurs, immigrants, and millennials. The Community Foundation’s focus on...

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New Economy Initiative Seeks Applicants for $400,000 in Awards through the NEIdeas Small Business Challenge

Challenge to award $400,000 in cash prizes to existing businesses in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park for their ideas for growth. Application period is open May 1-June 1 (11:59 p.m.)....

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In Press Release

FoodLab Detroit: Supporting Food Entrepreneurs

Supporting a Healthy Food System A diet rich in healthy foods is essential to good health — that may be as close to a universal truth as there is. We...

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New Economy Initiative Releases Report on $2.9 Billion Economic Impact

On September 14, the New Economy Initiative (NEI) released a report of its cumulative impact at an event attended by NEI funders, grantees and stakeholders in Detroit. NEI is the...

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