107 Detroit Arts Groups Receive $11.2M from Three Foundations

More than 100 arts and cultural organizations in the metro Detroit area will receive over $11.2 million in multiyear general operating support through a new initiative called Detroit Arts Support (DAS). This funding effort is a collaboration between The Kresge Foundation, the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation, and the Hudson-Webber Foundation. The program's goal is to strengthen the cultural sector by providing consistent financial backing for a wide range of organizations.

The 107 grant recipients include small and large organizations spread throughout the region. Some of the notable names are the Motown Historical Museum, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, and The Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum. These organizations play a vital role in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Detroit.

One of the key features of the DAS initiative is its collaborative approach. The three foundations use a shared application and review process while still making independent funding decisions. This has made it easier for nonprofit arts organizations to apply and has fostered a sense of shared learning, stronger relationships, and better data for each foundation’s decision-making.

"Arts and culture are not separate from the work of building equitable cities — they are central to it," said Wendy Lewis Jackson, managing director of The Kresge Foundation’s Detroit Program. "These organizations create jobs, develop young talent, and offer spaces where Detroiters see their experiences reflected and valued. Sustaining them is an investment in Detroit's present and its future."

The grants provided through DAS are unrestricted, allowing nonprofits to cover everyday expenses and absorb unexpected costs. This flexibility helps sustain operations and encourages long-term growth. Unlike project-specific grants, general operating support gives organizations the freedom to manage their core work effectively.

"The organizations supported through Detroit Arts Support strengthen our region in countless ways," said Melissa Damaschke, president of the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation. "These nonprofit organizations’ commitment to preserving cultural traditions, nurturing emerging talent, and engaging communities is what keeps Detroit’s creative spirit alive. This funding simply reinforces the resilience that these arts organizations need to continue this essential, creative work."

The Hudson-Webber Foundation also emphasizes the importance of the arts in building community and driving economic growth. "The arts bring people together, reflect and celebrate our shared identity and strengthen the fabric of our community, while also serving as a vital economic driver for Detroit and the region," said Donald Rencher, president and CEO of the Hudson-Webber Foundation. "Our commitment to Detroit Arts Support builds on the foundation’s longstanding mission to invest in arts and culture organizations that enrich the lives of Detroiters and ensure residents have access to high-quality cultural experiences from across the city, the nation and the world."

Beyond the financial support, the DAS initiative also provides added value to nonprofit arts groups. In this cycle, each DAS grantee will receive a financial report prepared by TDC, a nonprofit finance firm that analyzed all applicant financial statements. These reports offer insights into organizational financial health, planning considerations, and broader sector trends that can help inform future decision-making.

The Fred and Barbara Erb Family and Hudson-Webber Foundations announced their funding recipients in October 2025, with Kresge making its decisions in December. Grants from the individual foundations generally range from $5,000 to $100,000 per year based on the size of the organization. Eligibility criteria included 501(c)3 status, having at least one employee, annual revenues of at least $100,000, and a record of presenting programs for at least two years.

The Kresge Foundation launched the Detroit Arts Support initiative in 2007, and the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation began partnering with Kresge on the application and review process in 2010. The Hudson-Webber Foundation joined the collaboration prior to the launch of the 2019–2022 cycle.

CultureSource, a coalition of more than 200 nonprofit arts organizations in Southeast Michigan, serves as the administrator for the DAS initiative, coordinating the collaboration of funding partners.