More than 150 nonprofit, business, civic and community leaders from across Macomb County and Southeast Michigan gathered on Sept. 10 at Macomb Community College for Advancing Macomb’s fourth annual Community Engagement Summit. The event focused on strengthening connections, sharing ideas and finding new ways to work together to address community needs.
The summit opened with a musical performance featuring “Growth Mindset” by Sam “DJ Oreeyo” Ford, an 18-year-old Clinton Township native and student at Macomb Community College. Advancing Macomb Executive Director Phil Gilchrist also welcomed attendees along with Board Chair Kelly Walters of First State Bank and Macomb Community College President Dr. Lori Gonko.
The Scrappy Advantage
Dr. Jeff Williams, Director of Consulting Services at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, delivered the keynote address, “The Scrappy Advantage: Building a Resilient Macomb Through Partnership and Trust.”
Dr. Williams shared findings from recent Advancing Macomb research examining nonprofit and grantmaking trends across metro Detroit. While Macomb is home to 2,877 nonprofits, the third-largest number in the region, the county receives just $36 in annual grant funding per resident, compared with $479 in Oakland County, $202 in Wayne County and $561 in Washtenaw County.
There are, however, signs of progress. Grant dollars flowing to Macomb increased 76% from 2021 to 2023, rising from $17.7 million to $31.2 million.
Dr. Williams described Macomb as “under-resourced, not under-performing” and emphasized the importance of working together to strengthen the county’s nonprofit ecosystem.
“Partnership is not the nice part of the plan. It is the plan,” he told attendees.
Watch the full keynote address here.
Turning Ideas Into Action
Following the keynote, attendees participated in Table Talks to share experiences, discuss challenges and identify opportunities for collaboration. The conversation centered on one question: If we want a stronger philanthropic ecosystem in Macomb County five years from now, what is one action we should start taking today?
The theme continued with Lightning Talks featuring local community leaders and facilitated by Meghan Rutigliano, Advancing Macomb Program Manager. The talks brought the summit’s ideas to life through local stories and experiences. Speakers included Kelli Kaschimer and Eric Candela of Forgotten Harvest on food insecurity in Macomb County; Andrea Walker-Leidy of Walker Publicity Consulting on storytelling; Stacy Ziarko of Connect Macomb on the power of showing up; AnnMarie Ottoy of Dutton Farm and the Clinton Township Inclusive Playground on building inclusive communities; Melvenna Fant-Jones of WHEAT, Inc. on growing a grassroots nonprofit; Clinton Township Clerk Kim Meltzer on making elections more accessible for people with disabilities and Linda Curatolo of Mount Clemens Beautification on preserving local history.
Keeping the Momentum Going
Gilchrist closed the event by challenging attendees to leave with one new idea, one new connection and one action you can take following the summit.
“The real impact of the summit happens after people leave the room through continued conversations, new partnerships and ideas put into action,” he said.
Those conversations will continue at Beyond the Summit: Coffee + Conversation, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, at Gather + Grounds. Those who were unable to attend the summit are also welcome to participate.
Advancing Macomb extends its gratitude to the sponsors who made this year’s event possible, including the presenting sponsor, First State Bank; Macomb Community College; the Detroit Zoo; Advia Credit Union; Consumers Energy; SMART; OneMacomb; IFF and Oakland University.
