The New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan (NEI) was launched in 2008 as a unique philanthropic initiative aimed at helping to restore southeast Michigan to a position of leadership in the new global economy. NEI is committed to increasing prosperity and expanding opportunity for all residents and communities in the region. Ten national and local foundations have committed $100 million to this eight-year initiative to accelerate the transition of metro Detroit to an innovation-based economy. These foundations include:

• 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.

Focus

Southeast Michigan has been slower than some other regions to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of the new, globally competitive knowledge economy. NEI is working to speed the transition of metro Detroit to this economy.

Talent, Innovation and Culture Change were originally identified by the Governing Council as the core broad areas that NEI hoped to influence in its efforts. As NEI evolved and learned from its initial grantmaking the NEI staff and Governing Council focused in on a framework for ongoing implementation that employs three modules of activities. Each of these modules of implementation, approved in September 2009, target the original NEI areas of Talent, Innovation and Culture Change, but also work to include and connect to the existing work of foundations in the Detroit metropolitan region. The three modules of activities are:

1. Promote a successful entrepreneurial eco-system
2. Capitalize on existing regional assets and resources, and
3. Build and employ a more skilled and educated workforce

Impact

NEI’s work is quickly evolving as new opportunities arise and new information is learned. We are working to capture both short-term and long-term impacts of NEI grants on the local economy. We invite you to explore our website to learn about our grantees, our impact, our resources and our coverage by media .

We thank you for your interest in the New Economy Initiative. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.