Co.act Detroit
Co.act Detroit is a nonprofit capacity-building hub founded in 2019 that serves 4,000+ Southeast Michigan nonprofits through grantmaking ($7.5M+ distributed), free consulting, equipment lending, and convening spaces, with a focus on advancing equity for BIPOC-led and small-budget organizations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersDetroit, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Co.act Detroit does
Co.act Detroit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit capacity-building organization founded in June 2019 and headquartered at 6568 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. It serves as a trusted intermediary in Southeast Michigan's nonprofit ecosystem, working with funders, nonprofits, corporations, service providers, and community leaders to advance equity through collaborative action, with a stated focus on narrowing racial leadership gaps and removing resource barriers for small and BIPOC-led organizations. The organization has served 4,000+ nonprofits across Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, and Wayne County through a portfolio of grant programs (Activate Fund, KIP:D+, The WELL Fund), free consulting appointments (Co.Lab Connect), equipment lending (Gadget Garage), space reservations, and resource libraries.
Co.act Detroit firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Co.act Detroit
- Legal name
- Co.act Detroit
- Website
- https://coactdetroit.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Co.act Detroit is a nonprofit capacity-building hub founded in 2019 that serves 4,000+ Southeast Michigan nonprofits through grantmaking ($7.5M+ distributed), free consulting, equipment lending, and convening spaces, with a focus on advancing equity for BIPOC-led and small-budget organizations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Co.act Detroit industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Capacity Building Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN)
Keywords
Where Co.act Detroit is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Detroit
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Co.act Detroit business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants and Funding: Co.act Detroit operates as a grantmaking organization distributing funds from major foundation partners including Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The Skillman Foundation, and others. They have distributed more than $7.5 million through their community-centered approach to collective grantmaking.
- Capacity Building Programs: Free programs and services including 1-on-1 consultations, workshops, peer-learning cohorts, and space reservations for nonprofits in Southeast Michigan.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Tier 1: Free access for organizations with annual budget under $250,000 |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Tier 2: 50% discount for organizations with annual budget $250,001 - $499,999 |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Standard rates for organizations with budget over $500,000 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Co.act Detroit product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Co.act Detroit is a nonprofit hub that strengthens Southeast Michigan's nonprofit sector through community-centered grantmaking programs (Activate Fund, KIP:D+, The WELL Fund), free one-on-one consulting via Co.Lab Connect, a Gadget Garage technology equipment lending library, free access to the Candid Foundation Directory, a Dovetail Connections resource directory, virtual and in-person training resources, and physical convening spaces at its 6568 Woodward Avenue location. The organization distributes philanthropic funds from foundations such as Ralph C. Wilson Jr., Kresge, Skillman, McGregor, and Hudson-Webber to advance equity and address racial leadership gaps in the regional nonprofit ecosystem.
Product overview
Co.act Detroit operates as a nonprofit capacity building organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and resources rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include three major funding programs: Activate Fund (flagship capacity-building grants), KIP:D+ (place-based neighborhood project funding), and The WELL Fund (BIPOC-led youth nonprofit support). These are complemented by Co.Lab Connect (free consulting appointments with subject matter experts), Gadget Garage (equipment lending library), Candid Funders Directory access, Dovetail Connections Library (nonprofit directory), and Virtual Resource Library. The organization also provides physical convening spaces for the nonprofit community. All offerings are designed to work together to advance equity in Southeast Michigan's nonprofit ecosystem through collaborative action.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Activate Fund: Co.act Detroit's flagship grant program that strengthens nonprofits' abilities to achieve their missions and accelerates collaborative action across Southeast Michigan through capacity building grants, service provider network, and collaboration support.
- KIP:D+
- The WELL Fund
Products and services
- Activate Fund Co.act Detroit's flagship capacity-building grant program that strengthens nonprofit missions and accelerates collaborative action across Southeast Michigan through grants, service provider network, and collaboration support. Approximately $1.18 million in Nonprofit Fundamentals grants has been awarded to 25 organizations, with six collaboratives receiving in-kind services comprising 171 organizations.
- KIP:D+ (Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit Plus) Place-based grant program that funds neighborhood projects in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park supporting resident-led vision and creativity through inclusive, collaborative processes. Has distributed $15 million since 2014 across 193 projects and planning efforts, including the 2024 Cultural Heritage funding round focused on arts, culture, and community legacy projects.
- The WELL Fund Grant program supporting small, BIPOC-led nonprofits serving Detroit youth (ages 5-24) with general operating funding, technical assistance, capacity building, leadership development, and wellness support. Five organizations received $65,000 each in 2023 totaling $375,000, with four organizations also receiving $12,500 wellness stipends each.
- Co.Lab Connect Free 45-minute one-on-one appointments with nonprofit subject matter experts covering data strategy, fundraising, marketing, organizational assessment, rapid strategy, and operational excellence. Hosted in person at 6568 Woodward Avenue and virtually via Zoom. As of end of 2021, 597 total Co.Lab Connect appointments had been hosted.
- Gadget Garage Free equipment lending library providing 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored organizations with a 7-day checkout of photography and podcast gear, Meeting OWLs, projectors, drones, ring lights, laptops, and other technology to strengthen communication and storytelling capabilities.
- Candid Funders Directory Free in-person public access to Candid's Foundation Directory and Grants to Individuals databases through Co.act Detroit's membership in Candid's nationwide network of nonprofit-serving agencies. Supports nonprofit fundraising research and prospecting.
- Fundraising Unpacked Virtual and interactive training series covering fund development topics including finding grants, foundation directory research, fundraising planning, individual giving, corporate giving, proposal writing, and project budgets.
- Space Reservations Convening spaces at 6568 Woodward Avenue, Detroit including The Gathering Space (capacity 40), The Communal Table (capacity 26), The Pavilion (capacity 10), Peanut Butter Block (capacity 8), and Bumpy Cake (capacity 8). Features Meeting OWL / Neatbar teleconference systems and Epson Pro G7500 projectors with hybrid meeting capabilities; tiered sliding scale pricing.
- Dovetail Connections Library Capacity building directory and resource website connecting southeast Michigan nonprofits, foundations, and service providers. Joint initiative of Michigan Community Resources and Co.act Detroit.
- Virtual Resource Library Browseable online library of toolkits, reports, webinars, and workshops covering leadership, governance, funding, operations, organizational culture, program development, and talent, with on-demand access for nonprofits.
- Navigating Policy Changes Resource Guide Executive Resource Guide offering nonprofits tools and resources to navigate federal executive orders, with focus areas including technical assistance, wellness, funding, networking, and equity-centered supports.
- Earned Revenue Accelerator Capacity-building program helping Wayne County nonprofits grow earned revenue streams from existing services or products. The first cohort of six organizations collectively raised an additional $500,000 in revenue.
- Collaboration Pilot Program providing customized technical support to accelerate collaborative impact, with more than seven collaborative groups comprising 170 organizations funded.
- Natural Collisions Podcast Podcast featuring compelling conversations about challenges and opportunities impacting the nonprofit sector in Detroit and Southeast Michigan, distributed on YouTube and Spotify under the Natural Collisions series.
Quantifiable outcome
- Distributed more than $7.5 million through community-centered grantmaking approach
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Co.act Detroit
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Co.act Detroit technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature1 record
Co.act Detroit partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Michigan Community Resources (MCR)coreMCR provides technical support for KIP:D+ program and creates spaces for grantees to convene in a mutually supportive network. Also provides free legal services for nonprofits and application assistance for KIP:D+ applicants.
- Data Driven DetroitcoreData Driven Detroit provides data strategy and management consultations through Co.Lab Connect, helping nonprofits with internal data strategy, evaluation strategies, and housing/neighborhoods/education data questions.
- Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA)coreMNA provides Principles & Practices Assessment for organizational assessments through Co.Lab Connect, helping nonprofits review framing documents, policies, and improve operations, governance, and financial management.
- CandidcoreCo.act Detroit is a member of Candid's nationwide network of nonprofit serving agencies, providing free public access to Foundation Directory, Grants to Individuals, and other resources for Southeast Michigan nonprofits.
- TechTown DetroitsupportingTechTown Detroit is a core partner providing ecosystem support for nonprofit capacity building in Southeast Michigan.
- Black Executive Directors Alliance DetroitcorePartnered with Co.act Detroit and The Skillman Foundation to create The WELL Fund specifically supporting BIPOC-led nonprofits serving Detroit youth.
- Youth Development Resource CentercorePartnered with Co.act Detroit and The Skillman Foundation to create The WELL Fund supporting small BIPOC-led nonprofits serving Detroit youth.
- Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD)supportingPartnered with Co.act Detroit to award nearly $300,000 in funding to 53 organizations through the 2021 Detroit Community Development Mini-Grant Fund.
- DovetailcoreJoint initiative of Michigan Community Resources and Co.act Detroit. Dovetail is a capacity building directory and resource website connecting southeast Michigan nonprofits, foundations, and service providers.
- Mondo UnlimitedsupportingMondo Unlimited provides rapid strategy sessions and fundraising/marketing consultations through Co.Lab Connect, helping nonprofits with board engagement, succession planning, and fundraising strategy.
- University of Michigan School of Social WorksupportingCore partner providing technical assistance and evaluation support for nonprofit capacity building initiatives.
- Pacific Community VenturessupportingThird-party evaluator that conducted the 2021 qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the Activate Fund program.
- Council of Michigan FoundationssupportingProgram partner collaborating on nonprofit ecosystem development and cross-sector partnerships in Michigan.
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Co.act Detroit competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- The Skillman Foundation: Detroit-focused youth philanthropy that funds Co.act's WELL Fund. A direct funder rather than a peer, but mission-aligned in supporting BIPOC-led, youth-serving nonprofits in Detroit, and a key ecosystem counterpart.
- The Kresge Foundation: Major Detroit/Southeast Michigan funder that anchors KIP:D+ with $15M+ lifetime. As Co.act's largest financial partner, Kresge's grantmaking priorities shape the demand side of Co.act's programs.
- Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation: Detroit-anchored foundation that provided $1.5M to launch Co.act's Activate Fund. Functions as a primary funder rather than peer, but a critical counterpart shaping Co.act's capacity-building programming.
Direct peers
- Michigan Community Resources: Detroit-based nonprofit capacity builder that co-administers KIP:D+ with Co.act Detroit and provides free legal and application support to grantees. Operates as a direct partner with highly overlapping service offerings in the same regional ecosystem.
- Michigan Nonprofit Association: Statewide membership association serving Michigan nonprofits with training, advocacy, and Principles & Practices Assessment—the same assessment Co.act delivers through Co.Lab Connect. Direct functional overlap in capacity-building services.
- Council of Michigan Foundations: Statewide philanthropy-serving organization representing Michigan foundations. Co.act's board chair (Kyle Caldwell) leads CMF, indicating deep ecosystem coordination. Comparable intermediary role connecting funders and nonprofits at the state level.
- Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD): Detroit-based coalition that co-awarded the 2021 Detroit Community Development Mini-Grant Fund with Co.act. Operates as a peer capacity builder and advocacy organization focused on Detroit's nonprofit and community development ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- Candid: National nonprofit-serving network that provides Foundation Directory access and training—the same resources Co.act offers through its Candid partnership. Operates at far greater scale as a national intermediary, serving as a broader incumbent in the same capacity-building category.
- National Council of Nonprofits: National network of state and regional nonprofit associations. Provides advocacy, training, and resources similar to Co.act's mission but at a national scope, representing the broader incumbent in nonprofit intermediary services.
Regional players
- TechTown Detroit: Detroit-based entrepreneurship and innovation hub that partners with Co.act. Operates in a different vertical (business/innovation vs. nonprofit capacity) but plays a similar convening and ecosystem-builder role in Southeast Michigan.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Co.act Detroit social profiles
Digital presenceCo.act Detroit financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Co.act Detroit leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Co.act Detroit funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Co.act Detroit M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Co.act Detroit
What does Co.act Detroit do?
Co.act Detroit is a nonprofit hub that strengthens Southeast Michigan's nonprofit sector through community-centered grantmaking programs (Activate Fund, KIP:D+, The WELL Fund), free one-on-one consulting via Co.Lab Connect, a Gadget Garage technology equipment lending library, free access to the Candid Foundation Directory, a Dovetail Connections resource directory, virtual and in-person training resources, and physical convening spaces at its 6568 Woodward Avenue location. The organization distributes philanthropic funds from foundations such as Ralph C. Wilson Jr., Kresge, Skillman, McGregor, and Hudson-Webber to advance equity and address racial leadership gaps in the regional nonprofit ecosystem.
Is Co.act Detroit a public or private company?
Co.act Detroit is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Co.act Detroit founded?
Co.act Detroit was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Co.act Detroit based?
Co.act Detroit is headquartered in Detroit, United States, in the North America region.
How does Co.act Detroit make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Foundation Grants and Funding is the primary driver. The others are capacity Building Programs.
Who are Co.act Detroit's main competitors?
Others on record are The Skillman Foundation, The Kresge Foundation and Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. Direct peers are Michigan Community Resources, Michigan Nonprofit Association, Council of Michigan Foundations and Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD). Broad incumbents are Candid and National Council of Nonprofits. TechTown Detroit is listed as a regional player.
Does Co.act Detroit have an API?
No public API is recorded for Co.act Detroit.
What industry is Co.act Detroit in?
Co.act Detroit's product category is Nonprofit Capacity Building Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAE, Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAN, Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 8300.