The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced $19.8 million in new investments to advance Detroit’s arts and tech economy, civic infrastructure and public spaces across the city at a community celebration on Sunday at Michigan Central. This new commitment builds on decades of partnership to support the city’s revitalization and expands Knight’s investments from downtown into the inner-ring neighborhoods. Over the last 25 years, Knight Foundation has made more than 750 grants to the people and organizations making a difference in Detroit. That’s more than $215 million, including over $80 million in just the last decade.

“Detroit has always been a city of resilience and reinvention,” said Maribel Pérez Wadsworth, president and CEO of Knight Foundation. “Our latest investments support a Detroit that will continue to be shaped by the creativity, talent and vision of its residents. Whether it’s transforming public spaces along the Joe Louis Greenway, expanding local residents’ economic power in tech or strengthening the city’s creative economy, these efforts reflect the energy of a city on its triumphant rise.”

The new investments announced last night strengthen Detroit by investing in physical assets, advancing industries poised for growth and driving cultural vibrancy. 

• Design Core Detroit / College for Creative Studies ($1 million)
• Unified Greenway Project ($5 million)
• Black Tech Saturdays ($2 million)
• Joe Louis Greenway Partnership ($2 million)
• Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit ($2 million)
• Vanguard Community Development Corporation ($2 million)
• Eastside Community Network – Mother Tree Wellness Campus ($1.5 million)
• Detroit Horse Power ($1 million)
• Give Merit – Merit Park ($1 million)
• Black Leaders Detroit ($1 million)
• Downtown Detroit Partnership ($800,000)
• rootoftwo via CultureSource – The Transformer Building ($500,000)