Detroit’s Nonprofits Gain a Lifeline Through City Partnership With SP Grace

By fostering public-private collaboration, the NOF-ARPA grants help nonprofits strengthen their operational capacity, ensuring that these organizations continue meeting the needs of local residents despite mounting funding challenges.

The first wave of recipients features forward-thinking nonprofits like Detroit Suzuki Academy of Music and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Ranging in focus from youth enrichment to job training for adults, these programs are unified by a commitment to driving inclusive growth in Detroit’s neighborhoods. Thanks to SP Grace’s pioneering technical assistance—offered before and during the grant process—these organizations will be better equipped to navigate future funding cycles and scale up their impactful work.

“Access to capital is critical, but it’s only half the equation,” explains SP Grace founder Dr. Carmen Bell-Ross. “By providing dedicated guidance, we’re helping nonprofits develop the tools they need to thrive, from strategic planning to effective grant writing. This means a more empowered, resilient community—one that can innovate even in uncertain times.”
Anchored by SP Grace’s philosophy of heart-centered leadership, the program seeks to revitalize Detroit from the inside out. The company’s commitment to honoring human dignity and fostering community wellbeing is rooted in Dr. Bell-Ross’s personal heritage, inspired by the strong women who shaped her upbringing.

Ultimately, the NOF-ARPA grant awards serve as a testament to Detroit’s renewed focus on inclusive development—one that resonates with the chamber’s vision of a vibrant regional economy. Nonprofits, civic leaders, and corporate partners alike are invited to join this momentum, recognizing that resilient neighborhoods bolster the entire city’s growth.
To learn more about SP Grace’s role in the program and upcoming workshops, visit spgrace.com/nof-arpa.