The New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan (NEI) was launched in 2008 as a unique philanthropic initiative aimed at helping to transition southeast Michigan to an innovation-based economy.  NEI is committed to increasing prosperity and expanding opportunity for all residents and communities in the region.  The initiative focuses its efforts on providing grants related to three modules of activities:

• Promoting a successful entrepreneurial eco-system
• Capitalizing on existing assets and resources
• Developing and employing a more skilled workforce

Ten national and local foundations have committed $100 million to this eight-year initiative, including:

• Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (Detroit)
• Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation (Southfield)
• Ford Foundation (New York)
• Hudson-Webber Foundation (Detroit)
• W.K. Kellogg Foundation (Battle Creek)
• John S. and James L. Knight Foundation (Miami)
• The Kresge Foundation (Troy)
• McGregor Fund (Detroit)
• Charles Stewart Mott Foundation (Flint)
• Skillman Foundation (Detroit)

NEI is overseen by a Governing Council, which sets strategic direction for the initiative.  NEI also benefits from a Council of Economic Advisors, who actively provide expertise, a national perspective and direction to the staff and Governing Council.

NEI is a project of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, which provides an administrative home for the initiative.  The Community Foundation Board of Trustees exercises final legal and fiduciary responsibility for the initiative.

Since its launch, NEI has distributed nearly $52 million in more than 63 grants to charitable projects in southeast Michigan. NEI brings together individuals and organizations to work toward community wide solutions to important challenges facing the region.

For more information, please visit www.neweconomyinitiative.org or call (313) 961-6675.