Detroit’s resurgence begins with its people and their longstanding commitment to making their community a better place to live. Highlighting and investing in the work these families engage in is the key to making Detroit’s comeback a reality for all.

Detroit

About Us

The greatest development our city can undertake is the development of its people, families, and communities.

In 2014, when FII launched in Detroit, the city had the highest percentage of people living in poverty of any major city in America. Today, FII-Detroit is quickly growing to become one of our largest sites, second to Boston. Improving education, housing, and transportation are the key goals shared by our FII–Detroit families. Our family partners, who embody the gritty resilience of the city, continue to prove that investing in their self-determined solutions is among the most effective way to revive our city.

Total Number of UpTogether Fund Dollars Allocated to Families over time
Individuals

Families
Number of Touchpoints in UpTogether

Detroit: Family Metrics

On average, during 2 years of engagement with FII:

Total estimated amount FII families have exchanged through social capital activities

Total estimated amount FII families have exchanged through social capital activities like watching each others children, cooking for one another, lending money, and etc.
23%

Average increase in monthly income

Median baseline annual income for the average family of three is $21,600 or 101% of the federal poverty line. After two years of engagement with FII, the median annual income is $23,838 or 112% of the federal poverty line.
1. $321
2. $1,315
Average increase in total liquid assets
On average, during 2 years of engagement with FII, families report an increase in their total liquid assets from $321 to $1,315.
42%

Average decrease in subsidies such as TANF and SNAP

On average, during 2 years of engagement with FII, families report a 42% decrease in subsidies such as TANF and SNAP.
2.2x

After 2 years families grow their yearly income by $5,354

Over the two years they are enrolled in FII, the average investment directly to a family is $2400. Using this investment, families grow their yearly income by $5,354 (or 2.2 times the investment).

Blessed in Brightmoor
Detroit | Civic Engagement Education Social Capital
Our group, Our Blessed in Brightmoor, organized and carried out a back to school event for the children.
- We provided school supplies to 200 children in our community.
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Jasma Motley
Detroit | Civic Engagement Education Social Capital
Through my journey to make a better life for myself and my children, I discovered my passion, engineering, and am now in my senior year of my degree.
- I worked hard in community college to improve my grades and get accepted to a 4-year engineering degree program.
- I am a mother with 2 sons.
- I developed a checklist for researching, identifying, and applying for student loans that I share with high school students in my community.
- I educate local high school students on the role of Science, Technology, and Math in their everyday lives.
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