For many Detroit homeowners, the threat of foreclosure isn’t just about losing a house -- it’s about losing everything tied to it.
Years of unpaid property taxes, often driven by lack of awareness or access to relief programs, have left thousands of families at risk of foreclosure. In many cases, residents who qualified for assistance didn’t know it existed -- and the cost of that gap was generational wealth.
In 2021, the Gilbert Family Foundation and the Rocket Community Fund made a commitment aimed at changing that trajectory.
Together, the organizations pledged $500 million over 10 years to invest in Detroit residents, with a focus on housing stability, economic opportunity and community development.
Five years later, that effort is not only underway, but ahead of pace.
Nearly $300 million has already been deployed across Detroit, supporting programs designed to keep families in their homes, create pathways to financial stability and strengthen neighborhood life.
A strategy built with (and for) Detroiters
From the beginning, leaders say the strategy was shaped by listening.
In conversations with residents and community leaders, two themes emerged: Detroiters are resilient, and they need greater access to opportunity.
“The strategy is bigger than any single program or investment,” said Dan Gilbert, founder and Gilbert Family Foundation. “It’s about building a foundation that gives every Detroiter the stability and opportunity needed to build a more prosperous life for themselves and their families. Detroit is our home and we’re committed to continuing our work, deepening our impact and investing in the city’s future for years to come.”
That approach has translated into a three-pillar investment strategy:
- Housing stability: $110.4 million
- Economic opportunity: $103.6 million
- Public life and community: $79.3 million
The work has been carried out alongside nearly 300 nonprofit partners through more than 325 collaborations -- an effort designed to combine philanthropic capital with community expertise.
“From our five years on the ground, we’ve learned that real solutions start with a deep understanding of the problem we want to address,” said Laura Grannemann, executive director of Gilbert Family Foundation. “We listen to residents, collect data and work in deep collaboration with community partners with the goal of building systems that support Detroiters of all backgrounds. By investing in Detroit residents’ capacity to build opportunity, we are investing in the future of this great city.”
Leaders say those insights are used not only to refine their own programs, but also to inform partners and policymakers working to create solutions across the city.
“In its first five years, the $500 million commitment made by Dan Gilbert through his philanthropic funds has transformed the lives of thousands of Detroiters who faced housing insecurity and critical home repair needs -- and who now have the stability they deserve,” said Mary Sheffield.
Keeping Detroit families in their homes
Housing stability has been at the center of the investment, and for many residents, the impact has been immediate.
The Detroit Tax Relief Fund has helped nearly 13,000 homeowners eliminate more than $52 million in property tax debt, preserving an estimated hundreds of millions of dollars in home equity that might otherwise have been lost to tax foreclosure.
The Detroit Home Repair Fund has completed more than 6,000 repairs across more than 700 homes, improving living conditions for more than 1,800 residents.
For renters, the Detroit Eviction Defense Fund has supported more than 20,000 residents since 2022, helping families avoid displacement during moments of crisis.
And through the Detroit Housing Network, a $10 million investment has created a centralized system to connect residents with housing resources more efficiently.
Programs like Make It Home are also creating new pathways to ownership. More than 1,700 families have transitioned into homeownership, with more than 580 homes repaired along the way.
Together, these efforts are designed not just to prevent displacement but to stabilize neighborhoods and protect long-term wealth for Detroit families.
“We are fortunate to have a partner like Dan, whose sustained investment in this city and its people has made Detroit a stronger, more resilient place for everyone,” Sheffield said.
Building pathways to economic mobility
Beyond housing, the investment is focused on expanding access to careers, education and entrepreneurship.
The Apple Developer Academy has received $11 million to help Detroiters build careers in technology.
The Motor City Contractor Fund, supported by $6.5 million, is helping local contractors grow and compete for larger projects.
Through a $3.8 million investment in Urban Alliance, Detroit youth are gaining access to internships and career training opportunities.
And for small business owners, MI Small Business Helper -- backed by $1 million -- is providing tools and support to help entrepreneurs launch and grow.
These efforts reflect a broader goal: creating sustainable pathways to financial independence for Detroit residents.
Strengthening neighborhoods and community life
The third pillar of the investment focuses on the spaces and experiences that shape daily life.
The Strategic Neighborhood Fund 3.0 has received $15 million to support inclusive development across Detroit neighborhoods.
The Joe Louis Greenway -- a major regional project -- has also been supported with $15 million, including $5 million for economic development along the corridor.
Investments extend into education and culture, as well. A $10 million founding investment helped establish Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design, the nation’s only historically Black college focused on design.
And through Seed and Bloom: Detroit, a $1.5 million initiative is supporting local artists in building sustainable creative businesses.
These investments are designed not just to improve infrastructure, but to create spaces where residents can connect, build community and participate in Detroit’s cultural life.
Looking ahead
With nearly $300 million already deployed, approximately $200 million remains to be invested over the next five years.
Leaders say the next phase will focus on scaling proven programs, testing new approaches and building the infrastructure needed to reach more residents across the city.
The long-term vision remains the same: to build a Detroit where stability, opportunity and community are accessible to all.
A commitment measured in people
While the numbers are significant, the impact is ultimately measured in the lives behind them.
Families who are able to stay in their homes. Residents who gain access to new career opportunities. Neighborhoods that continue to grow and evolve.
Five years in, the work is far from finished. But for thousands of Detroiters, the results are already taking shape -- not just as programs, but as possibilities.
To learn more, visit GilbertFamilyFoundation.org and RocketCommunityFund.org.