Gilbert Family Foundation Announces $4M to Support Detroit Business Owners

News

Published by Stephen Oluwadara at September 8, 2025

Gilbert Family Foundation is Enabling Detroit’s Economic Opportunities

The investments were announced during National Black Business Month, an annual observance of the critical impact of Black-owned businesses in the United States.

Small businesses are crucial to Detroit’s present and future. They’re the source of nearly 70% of inner-city jobs. A recent ICIC study found that a 37% increase in small business jobs could virtually eliminate city unemployment.

“Detroit’s continued growth hinges on a strong small business community throughout the city,” said Darnell Adams, Vice President of Detroit Community Initiatives, Gilbert Family Foundation.

“These investments will ensure Detroit developers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses have the resources and opportunities needed to shape the future of our city and state.”

The Gilbert Family Foundation’s new commitment builds on existing partnerships with BLD and MBBA, including over $1 million in investments made in 2023. This is part of the private nonprofit’s goal of building economic opportunities in Detroit.

How The Grant Will Be Deployed

Black Leaders Detroit (BLD) will receive $2.1 million, and Michigan Black Business Alliance (MBBA) will receive $2 million in grant funding. The Gilbert Family Foundation’s BLD grant will support The Building Fund, a no-interest loan program providing up to $150,000 to residential developers in Detroit.

This program aims to support community-based developers bringing quality housing to city neighborhoods, particularly those impacted by traditional financing barriers. Funds will be distributed in phases tied to construction milestones, with payments deferred for three months post-closing.

Additionally, BLD will expand its no-interest loan and capacity-building programs for businesses, as well as its emergency loan program for unexpected expenses. The investment will also fund a business symposium in October 2025, featuring workshops, panels, mentorship sessions, and networking opportunities.

“The Building Fund is a game-changer for Detroit,” said Sharea Ayers, Chief Operating Officer of BLD. “By providing no-interest loans to developers of African descent, we’re not just financing projects—we’re building generational wealth, strengthening neighborhoods, and ensuring that Detroit’s growth includes people who have always called it home.”

For MBBA, the Gilbert Family Foundation’s $2 million investment will help to support several of its programs. This includes an expansion of MBBA’s Global Growth Accelerator, which aims to help at least 40 second-stage businesses scale their operations beyond the start-up phase.

It would also enable the Capital Connect program, which increases access to capital for business owners at any stage of growth. And BizWiz, which delivers culturally competent one-on-one business coaching and technical assistance to participants.

“This generous grant from the Gilbert Family Foundation is more than just funding; it’s a belief in the ingenuity and resilience of our entrepreneurs, said Charity Dean, President and CEO, Michigan Black Business Alliance.

“From the very beginning, Gilbert Family Foundation has been a pillar of support for the Michigan Black Business Alliance, walking with us as we’ve built programs and removed barriers for Black businesses across the state. This investment will be the spark that helps business owners—especially our second-stage entrepreneurs—turn their dreams into sustainable, thriving realities. These are the entrepreneurs who are ready to scale, hire, and expand their impact, and with this support, they will. We couldn’t be more excited to continue this journey together.”

This investment is part of the Gilbert Family Foundation’s $500 million, 10-year commitment with Rocket Community Fund to build opportunity in Detroit neighborhoods. To date, they’ve deployed or committed approximately $232 million of the funding since the initiative’s announcement in 2021.

Image: Gilbert Family Foundation