2026 Sponsors

Detroit Philanthropy was truly a joy to work with and we are a stronger organization because of our work together. They helped us develop a solid game plan for how we could move more confidently into the future we desire. As a decision maker, I wanted to strengthen our fundraising efforts, so the informative approach and assessment Detroit Philanthropy conducted was timely and helpful.

I also appreciated the ability to work directly with Rachel, a proven expert in the field. It was like having an additional, experienced staff member on our team for the time of our engagement.

- Fred Hunter, CEO

Rachel Decker was instrumental in conducting Judson Center’s Fundraising Environmental Scan for our next three year strategic plan. Her insights were clear and informative, providing our trustees with a comprehensive understanding of the fundraising challenges and opportunities ahead. We highly recommend Rachel and Detroit Philanthropy for their expertise and professionalism.

- Scott S. Trudell, Chief Development Officer

Detroit Philanthropy stepped in during a pivotal time of staff transition. Rachel brought tons of expertise and connections to help us keep our development initiatives going and led a very successful online fundraising campaign. I would definitely recommend Detroit Philanthropy to other nonprofits, especially those experiencing transition.

- Alissa Novoselick, Former Executive Directo

Detroit Philanthropy was able to lead our President and our Board through the year-end campaign process with both an eye on strategy and efficiency. By recommending ways to effectively convey our message and by keeping our team focused under a tight deadline, we were able to triple what we raised the previous year. Those funds allowed us to purchase critical equipment for our research efforts.

- Kelli Matthew, Board Member

Detroit Philanthropy did a great job in helping us take an inward look at our organization and how we can change, raise more dollars, and have a greater impact in the future.

- Bob Doyle, President and CEO

Working with Detroit Philanthropy helped to bring structure and clarity to our strategic planning process. Rachel took the time to listen to various perspectives and delivered comprehensive recommendations backed by clear rationale. I would recommend Detroit Philanthropy to anyone raising funding for any reason who is looking to evaluate their current structure and processes for ongoing improvement.  

- Nicole Lawson, PhD, President & CEO

As we plan for our first capital campaign, Detroit Philanthropy helped develop strategies and materials to launch the initiative. They also provided training and education to engage our board and served as a sounding board to our leadership team. All of this greatly increased our capacity and helped ensure a successful campaign.

- Gretchen Sanewsky, Executive Director

If you are feeling stuck and unsure about how to transition your fundraising to the next level, Detroit Philanthropy can help by providing strategic direction, ideas and clear action steps.

 - Peri Stone-Palmquist, Executive Director

We hired Detroit Philanthropy to organize our development plan for the year, assist with our annual fundraising event, and provide advice on our overall development operations. Rachel’s experience and expertise, her timeliness and availability, and her willingness to support our efforts in the best way possible allowed us to develop a clear vision on how to achieve our goals. As a result, we raised more money for our organization.

- Angela Rogensues, Executive Director

Working with Detroit Philanthropy is a huge value add to any nonprofit! Their insights provided a heightened sense of shared understanding and ownership between the board and our staff. In turn, we have improved communications and accountability, and identified opportunities for growth.

- Dr. JR Sledge, Managing Director

Detroit Philanthropy is a trusted and engaged partner. From leading our campaign feasibility study, to supporting the development department during a period of transition, to consulting with senior staff and volunteer leadership, Rachel's experience, knowledge and professionalism have contributed to the organization's mission-driven growth.

- Mary Riegle, Chief Philanthropy Officer

We initially engaged Detroit Philanthropy to conduct a Campaign Readiness Assessment and were impressed by their thorough analysis and insightful assessment. Not only did we receive a strategic roadmap for moving our project forward, but it was evident that tapping into Rachel’s guidance and connections as our Campaign Counsel would be beneficial for our agency.

The Guidance Center wholeheartedly recommends Detroit Philanthropy to any organization in need of clarity and direction in philanthropy. In addition to substantial counsel, they help keep organizations on track to achieve their goals and dreams!

- Alexander Sebastian, Director of Philanthropy & Communications