Features

Partner Content Expert presenters share evidence-based information traversing the lifespan from early intervention and initial diagnosis to quality of life for older autistic adults.

Navigating Autism Today Conference connects autism community to facts, friendships, and resources

The Autism Alliance of Michigan Navigating Autism Today (NAT) Conference connects autistic people of all ages and their loved ones with education, resources, and community.

Longform Ronita and Gregory Coleman are redeveloping the Casa Del Rey Apartments building in Pontiac. The project has been supported by Oakland County's new land bank and housing trust fund.

Land bank, trust fund, and more among Oakland County's innovative solutions to housing crisis

Oakland County has adopted innovative new approaches to solve its housing affordability crisis since County Executive Dave Coulter took office in 2019.

Feature Story Real Estate

Michigan women in real estate: What to expect in 2025

Housing prices in Michigan are expected to increase by 3 to 5% this year. Want to know more? Talk to the women in the industry. 

Development News “Advancing Macomb is proud to lead this innovative program, which underscores our commitment to fostering thriving communities through nonprofit collaboration and support,” says Phil Gilchrist, executive director of Advancing Macomb.

Macomb County nonprofits have chance to join debut ‘nonprofit accelerator’ program

“Advancing Macomb is proud to lead this innovative program, which underscores our commitment to fostering thriving communities through nonprofit collaboration and support,” says Phil Gilchrist, executive director of Advancing Macomb.

Development News The Chaldean Community Foundation in Sterling Heights.

Sterling Heights foundation wins permanent endowment through this unique initiative

“For these 11 organizations, being selected is a statement by this community that their work is so critical that they need to be here in perpetuity,” says Andrew Stein, president and CEO of the Children’s Foundation.

Longform Joe Williams, owner of The Pickleball Pop-Up in downtown Farmington.

How this former home goods store has been repurposed as an indoor pickleball facility

"It’s just kind of unique to have a sports facility within a retail space in such a high traffic area," says Joe Williams, owner of The Pickleball Pop-Up in downtown Farmington. "I don’t think that’s too common.”

Feature Story Holiday

Winter rom-com finds love in Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids, Saugatuck film locations

“A Holiday I Do” is a star-studded holiday movie showcasing familiar destinations and small businesses in Grand Rapids, Saugatuck, and Metro Detroit. The movie focuses on a single mom trying to save the family farm, and puts a unique LGBTQ+ spin on the traditional Hallmark-style holiday love story. 

Feature Story Macomb

Macomb's GDP hit $53B in 2024, here is where the county's investingMacombCounty2024.aspx

Macomb County’s GDP is at an all-time high of $53 billion. Here are the five target industries the county is focusing on (including some surprises), and what's ahead.

Feature Story The Urban Collaboratory’s work includes a focus on community water systems and health impacts related to contaminants like microplastics and PFAS.

Public health focus on the built environment improves health for Michiganders

Public health and infrastructure go hand in hand, as organizations across Michigan work to address the built environment's critical role in shaping health outcomes.

Feature Story “Friendsgiving dinner” with a group of teen participants in One Michigan’s CALM program

‘Our kids are very stressed’: Program boosts immigrant youth mental healthNonprofit Journal Project

The threat of losing relatives to deportation compounds mental health stresses for immigrant teens. A youth-designed program uses conversation and community to help.

Feature Story Janelle Smith (seated) and Kate Litwin

Cross-sector partnerships key to prosperity in downtown HowellNonprofit Journal Project Feature

A bustling downtown Howell – including a fanciful outdoor play space – has been built from strong partnerships.  

Development News In Birmingham, the Friends of the Birmingham Museum will update last year’s “The Underground Railroad in Oakland County” exhibit with newly found information.

Groups from Birmingham, Livonia, and Royal Oak win grants to preserve, exhibit local history

“Preserving and interpreting history begins at the local level,” says Historical Society of Michigan executive director and CEO Larry Wagenaar.

Development News Conceptual rendering of the community garden at Nelson Park.

Application window opens for planting beds at new community garden in Sterling Heights

Community garden to include areas for children's planting beds and wheelchair-accessible planting beds. 

Partner Content Autism can be a very isolating. AAoM shares and hosts events that are relevant to the autism community.

Welcome Kit helps Michiganders navigate autism resources and support

AAoM Welcome Kits provide a broad yet concise overview of AAoM’s roster of services. Available in two versions — one for families raising autistic children and autistic adults and another for professionals serving the autistic clients — Welcome Kits extend a warm handshake that welcomes them to AAoM’s services.

Feature Story Color of Autism Foundation provides training for families of autistic children

Ending the stigma of autism in communities of colorNonprofit Journal Project

“I would go to support groups, but no one looked like me,” says Camille Proctor. She eventually founded the Color of Autism Foundation to end the stigma of autism among communities of color and create a better understanding of autism and autism services for families.  

Longform Children play during a campout at Eliza Howell Park.

Park equity initiatives have big impacts for Metro Detroiters, from students to elders

From school science programming to park revitalization efforts, we talked to local residents about how equity-related efforts in parks have impacted their lives and communities.

Feature Story “It’s a working hot glass studio, so it’s kind of its own living, breathing animal that needs tending to – constantly," says Robyn Ochs, co-owner of Rusty Bug Studio in Hazel Park.

Keeping the furnaces on and the kitties warm at this Hazel Park glassblowing studio

“It’s kind of its own living, breathing animal that needs tending to – constantly," says Robyn Ochs, co-owner of Rusty Bug Studio in Hazel Park.

Feature Story Sterling Heights residents take their Christmas light displays to a whole new level.

PHOTOS: The Christmas lights in Sterling Heights are merry and bright – really, really bright

Sterling Heights residents take their Christmas light displays to a whole new level.

Feature Story "We live here, we work here and we care about you and your family."

A New Vision for Public Health in Michigan

Michigan has stepped forward with a comprehensive Public Health Call to Action, a set of recommendations crafted by the Michigan Public Health Advisory Council (MPHAC) to guide the state’s journey toward a more equitable and resilient health system. 

Feature Story Robert Sheehan

Michigan’s community mental health agencies will do even more good work in 2025

Federal dollars, state initiatives, community partnerships, and a normalization of seeking and receiving behavioral health care have positioned Michigan’s community mental health agencies to do even more good work in 2025.

 
Nonprofit leaders across southeast Michigan are contributing their thoughts via journal entries on how COVID-19 is affecting their organization. 
This series is made possible with the generous support of our partners, the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Co.ACT. Click here to read the journal entries.