More than 160 community leaders, nonprofit professionals, partners and supporters gathered along the waterfront at Gino’s Surf on June 10 for Advancing Macomb’s 10th Annual Summer Soirée.
Guests enjoyed an evening of networking, food, drinks and live entertainment from the Macomb Musical Arts Collective, featuring special guest Tee Turner, while supporting Advancing Macomb’s mission to connect community challenges with high-impact solutions.
The Summer Soirée also provided an opportunity to reflect on a year of significant progress. Phil Gilchrist, executive director, highlighted Advancing Macomb’s recent accomplishments, including a new study examining the nonprofit and philanthropic landscape in Macomb County. The study found that, despite being Michigan’s third-largest county, Macomb County receives just $36 per resident in nonprofit grant funding — a small amount compared to other Southeast Michigan counties. The findings have already sparked important conversations about how to increase resources, strengthen collaboration and further support nonprofit organizations in Macomb County.
“Macomb County nonprofits are not underperforming. They are under-resourced,” said Gilchrist. “Every day, nonprofit organizations throughout our county address critical community needs, and they do so with fewer resources than their counterparts.” Advancing Macomb also recently celebrated the graduation of its third Nonprofit Accelerator cohort. With the completion of this latest class, 28 nonprofit organizations have now graduated from the program, gaining tools, training and mentorship to strengthen operations and expand their impact throughout Macomb County.
Guests also heard from Kelley Walters, Advancing Macomb board chair and executive vice president and general counsel of First State Bank, as well as newly elected board member Melvenna Fant-Jones, founder and executive director of WHEAT (Women Healing Eternally and Transforming). Fant-Jones has been a longtime advocate for survivors of domestic violence and an important voice in advancing community-based solutions across Macomb County.
Amber Scarletta, executive director of Trinity Community Care and a graduate of the Nonprofit Accelerator Program, spoke about how Advancing Macomb has supported her organization’s work of providing free medical and dental care to underserved residents in Macomb County.
Phil Gilchrist extended his gratitude to the many sponsors, donors and volunteers whose support made the evening possible, including presenting sponsor DTE Energy, Summer Soirée Partner First State Bank and Diamond Sponsor Kiwanis Club of Mount Clemens. He also emphasized that the work ahead remains just as important as the accomplishments being celebrated.
Conversations will continue at Advancing Macomb’s Community Engagement Summit on Sept. 10 at the John Lewis Community Center at Macomb Community College. Additional details about the summit, including speakers and registration information, will be announced in the coming weeks. Make sure to follow Advancing Macomb on social media for the latest event updates and other opportunities to get involved.
