Meeting the Moment: How Funders and Nonprofits Can Work Together
Last week, Detroit Philanthropy’s 4th annual signature event gathered leaders from across Michigan’s philanthropic sector to talk about one big question: how can nonprofits survive and adapt during a time of unprecedented change?
The event opened with remarks from U.S. Senator Gary Peters, who thanked the nonprofit sector for serving as the “heart and soul” of Michigan communities. Peters spoke personally, noting his wife Colleen’s work with organizations like Vision to Learn, Forgotten Harvest, and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. He emphasized the essential role nonprofits play in supporting families and strengthening local economies and encouraged leaders to share their stories more widely.
Peters reminded attendees that nonprofits are uniquely positioned to bring people together during divisive times, and that leadership now requires trust, connection, and demonstrating impact in tangible, human ways. He suggested lifting up the faces and stories behind the work to build unexpected allies and broaden support as a way to meet this moment.
From there, the conversation shifted to a panel discussion, I moderated, featuring Mary Culler of Ford Philanthropy; Neel Hajra of Michigan Health Endowment Fund; and Kate Levin Markel of the McGregor Fund. What followed was a candid discussion about federal funding cuts, political pressures, and the urgent need for funders and nonprofits to rethink how they work together.
Naming the Crisis
The panel didn’t sugarcoat the challenges. Markel spoke directly about the political climate and the very real threats it poses to nonprofit work. In response, McGregor’s board doubled its spending earlier this year to provide immediate support to grantees.
Hajra underscored the scale of what’s ahead: an estimated 750,000 Michiganders will lose Medicaid coverage, and nearly 800,000 families may lose SNAP benefits. “This is not a one-year crisis, it’s a cascading, multi-year challenge,” he said. To help, the Health Endowment Fund has already pulled an additional $1 million from reserves for rapid response grants.
Listening as Leadership
A theme that came up again and again was the importance of listening. Hajra reminded the audience that nonprofits closest to the work have the clearest solutions, and that funders need to build real trust rather than rely on buzzwords like “partnership.”
The conversation also touched on the pressure to abandon DEI language in grantmaking. Panelists stressed that equity remains non-negotiable, and encouraged nonprofits to be transparent with funders if they need to adjust language to protect other funding streams, without losing sight of the values driving their work.
Making Collaboration Real
“Collaboration” can be an empty word unless it’s backed with resources. Hajra put it plainly: if funders want collaboration, they have to fund it.
Culler described how Ford Philanthropy approaches this through its Building Together initiative, which taps into the company’s dealerships, employee volunteers, and corporate expertise, alongside partnerships with organizations like Feeding America and Habitat for Humanity. Storytelling is also a big part of their strategy—using Ford’s platform to lift up nonprofit partners and broaden their reach.
Markel encouraged nonprofits to stretch beyond their usual circles, telling stories that connect with business leaders, educators, and faith communities. These broader narratives, she said, help the public see the everyday ways nonprofits keep families stable and communities strong.
Practical Guidance and Reasons for Hope
The panelists offered concrete advice while also identifying bright spots ahead:
Leaders should be honest with funders about capacity limits and resource needs, even asking for funding to simply buy time when necessary
Balance crisis response with innovation, playing both offense and defense: stabilize operations while still pushing for new ideas.
Look for complementary support other than monetary support, it can include volunteers, transportation, or introductions to new, strategic partners.
Lean on advocacy networks, like the Michigan Nonprofit Association or National Council of Nonprofits to amplify their voices, especially when speaking out directly feels risky.
Despite sobering statistics, the panelists found reasons for optimism. Markel emphasized investing in emerging leaders and dreamers who will shape better systems for the future. Hajra pointed to pandemic-era innovations like telehealth that now serve health deserts statewide, suggesting today's crisis will similarly reveal lasting solutions. Culler discussed how unexpected partnerships can unlock new resources. The consensus: this moment demands creativity and new approaches that could ultimately leave the sector stronger
Looking Ahead
As I closed the event, I shared an important reminder: “We cannot philanthropy ourselves out of this crisis. Nonprofits must continue to advocate for themselves and for the communities they serve. Standing together we are stronger.”
Detroit Philanthropy will continue to bring nonprofit and philanthropic leaders together for these critical conversations. Visit detroitphilanthropy.com to learn more about upcoming events.
About Rachel M. Decker
Having spent nearly 20 years in the nonprofit sector as an effective and strategic fundraising and foundation executive, Detroit Philanthropy Founder and President, Rachel Decker is passionate about helping others, making meaningful connections, solving problems and, most importantly, creating impact in our community. With the founding of Detroit Philanthropy, she turned that passion into a commitment to champion philanthropy throughout metro Detroit as a fundraising consultant, philanthropic advisor, and public speaker. Learn more about her work at www.DetroitPhilanthropy.com