Why Detroit?

Detroit was the perfect home for this year's Annual Conference. It offers a laboratory for exploring how the nonprofit and foundation community, government, and business can together respond to the new opportunities offered by these challenging times.

From the $100 million New Economy Initiative to the Office of Foreclosure Prevention and Response to the Cultural Alliance of Southeast Michigan and many more collaboratives, Detroiters are combining creativity, passion and entrepreneurship to reinvent this city and region.

Yes, we are the home of the Motown Sound and still are the global center for automotive research and development. We also have the country's largest island park and serve as a global port with the busiest international crossing on the U.S. and Canadian border -- just two of the assets that are an important part of our future.

We have a history of “firsts” -- from the first State Fair in 1849 to the first Kiwanis Club in 1915 -- that confirm this is a community that cares about service and giving. As we work on Detroit 's New Success Story, check out “Detroit's New Success Story: Chapter One” by Dave Egner, president of Detroit 's Hudson-Webber Foundation, and visit Model D to learn more about the vitality of our Detroit.

To great media acclaim, we have hosted the Super Bowl XL, the Final Four, and more, and we are excited about hosting Independent Sector and the Council of Michigan Foundations. From educational preparedness to race relations, you will find we are tackling the tough issues that must be part of our New Success Story. We have much to share and learn from each other.

We were delighted to host the conference, and welcome you in the future.