SAY Detroit

Name

SAY Detroit

Legal name

S.A.Y. Detroit

Website

https://saydetroit.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Community Housing Services (62422), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Community health clinic
• Affordable housing assistance
• Nonprofit fundraising events
• Scholarship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Southfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting SAY Detroit's mission to provide pathways to success for Detroiters in need.
2. Radiothon Fundraising: Annual 15-hour radio broadcast raising funds, with the 13th annual event raising $2.23 million in December 2024. Total fundraising impact exceeds $14.5 million since inception in 2012.
3. EAT Detroit: Annual foodie experience and fundraiser at Detroit's top restaurants, raising $200,000 in June 2025.
4. Corporate/Foundation Grants: Major grants from foundations including Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation's $5 million over 10 years partnership, and $50,000 from Detroit Pistons Foundation/Children's Foundation of Michigan/Robinson Family Foundation.
5. Retail Partnerships: Proceeds from Detroit Water Ice and Brown Bag Popcorn purchases, as well as eBay for Charity sales.
6. Donated Goods Sales: Mi-Cycle program rehabilitates and distributes donated bicycles to those in need.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

SAY Detroit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free youth development, primary healthcare, housing assistance, and community support programs to Detroiters in need. Its portfolio includes the SAY Detroit Play Center (after-school and summer programming for ages 8-18), SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic (free primary care, prescriptions, and wellness programs), Working Homes/Working Families (refurbished housing for working families), Mi-Cycle (donated bicycle rehabilitation and distribution), Dream Scholars (College for Creative Studies scholarships), Better Together (law-enforcement and community fellowship), A Time to Help (volunteer home repairs), and A Hole in the Roof Foundation (emergency roof repair grants).

Product overview

SAY Detroit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides pathways to success for Detroiters in need through a portfolio of interconnected programs. The organization operates as a multi-program nonprofit with core initiatives spanning youth development (SAY Play Center with LiveWELL mental health programming), healthcare (SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic with Wellness Wednesdays and First Year mother support), housing (Working Homes/Working Families, A Time to Help, A Hole in the Roof Foundation), and community enrichment (Mi-Cycle bicycle program, Dream Scholars scholarships, Better Together). Fundraising activities include the annual Radiothon and EAT Detroit food festival. Founded by Mitch Albom in 2006, the organization serves approximately 4,000 individuals and families each year through its various programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SAY Play: After-school youth development program serving children ages 8-18, offering academic enrichment, athletics, arts, and wellness programming at the SAY Detroit Play Center at Lipke Park
• SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic
• Mi-Cycle
• Working Homes/Working Families
• A Time to Help
• A Hole in the Roof Foundation
• Dream Scholars
• Better Together
• EAT Detroit
• LiveWELL Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,000 individuals and families empowered annually
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Trinity HealthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 February 2026Community health worker Debby Miller from Trinity Health provided diabetes prevention information at Wellness Wednesdays. Partner providing targeted guidance on lifestyle changes to fight Type 2 Diabetes.
• CALM (Create a Calm Space)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2026Local nonprofit committed to community wellness created safe, restorative spaces for CALM Haven Appreciation Day at SAY Clinic. Founded by Takyra Fulton to create spaces for Black women to prioritize self-care, mental health, and community connection. In talks to develop programs at SAY Play.
• National Kidney Foundation of MichiganminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Conducted 'Cooking Matters at the Store' presentation at Wellness Wednesdays, educating nearly 30 women on healthy eating, reading nutrition labels, and choosing foods for healthy aging.
• Van Elslander Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 October 2024Provided Mobile Mammogram Unit for National Mammography Day event at SAY Detroit Play Center. Offering pre-screenings and full mammograms on-site with financial assistance available for insurance. Partnered with SAY Detroit for breast cancer awareness initiative.
• Hungry Howie'sminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 October 2024National pizza franchise partnered with SAY Detroit and Van Elslander Cancer Center for breast cancer awareness initiative. Brand's Love, Hope & Pizza campaign includes on-site event at SAY Play Center. Donated gift boxes for mammogram event attendees.
• Hand & Stone Massage and Facial SpaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 October 2024Provided complimentary express facials and massages for women waiting for mammogram screenings at National Mammography Day event.
• Westside Cultural & Athletic ClubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2024Youth organization founded by Erica Wright serving at-risk youth through sports, arts, and community programs for 48 years. Longtime partner of SAY Detroit. Received 74 rehabbed bicycles from Mi-Cycle for children in River Rouge District.
• River Rouge District SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2024Partner with Mi-Cycle and Westside Cultural & Athletic Club to distribute bicycles to children. Superintendent Derrick Coleman is alumnus of Westside Cultural.
• Mortar to Bricks in DetroitminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2024Received funding through Radiothon distribution. One of 27 charities receiving funds in 2024 annual distribution ceremony.
• College for Creative Studies / Detroit Dream ScholarsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Dream Scholars scholarship program in partnership with College for Creative Studies provides art design education to Detroit students. Don Tulski, President of CCS, noted students couldn't attend without this program. Received $50,000 from 2023 Radiothon distribution.
• Notes for NotesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Received $10,000 in 2024 Radiothon distribution. Organization providing music equipment and lessons. SAY Play students participated in News-style project called 'Kids Perspective Network' through this program.
• Humble DesignminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Received $15,000 in 2024 Radiothon distribution.
• Detroit HivesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Received $5,000 in 2024 Radiothon distribution.
• Bing Youth InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Mentoring program for urban youth created by former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. Received $10,000 in 2024 Radiothon distribution.
• Boys Hope Girls HopeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Received $10,000 in 2024 Radiothon distribution.
• Peace Players DetroitminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Received $10,000 in 2024 Radiothon distribution.
• Gardner WhiteminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Furniture retailer partnered with SAY Detroit for Thanksgiving initiatives. Hosted 'Merry Glitchmas' tree contest where SAY Play students could win $10,000. Invited Jackson family to Lions Thanksgiving game.
• The DRE ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023First-time recipient of Radiothon funding in 2024 distribution.
• Wings of Love Missionary Baptist ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023First-time recipient of Radiothon funding in 2024 distribution.
• LA SED Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development, Inc. - nonprofit agency serving Hispanics and residents of Southwest Detroit since 1969. Partnered with SAY Detroit to refurbish home for Alvarado family as part of Working Homes/Working Families program.
• Cass Community Social ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Longtime recipient of Radiothon funding. Rev. Faith Fowler leads homeless shelters at overflow capacity, serving many who are working but cannot find affordable housing.
• Michigan Veterans FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Longtime recipient of Radiothon funding. Former enlisted Marine Harry Parker now works full-time for the organization helping other veterans after benefiting from its services.
• WJR 760 AMcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2012Primary broadcast partner for annual SAY Detroit Radiothon since its inception in 2012. Host Mitch Albom's radio show provides platform for 15-hour annual fundraiser.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cass Community Social Services: Cass Community Social Services is a longtime Detroit nonprofit serving working families and people experiencing homelessness - a direct peer given overlapping housing, food, and family stability missions in the same Detroit geography. Long-time recipient of Radiothon distributions.
• Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit: A direct peer in Detroit - Boys Hope Girls Hope is a 501(c)(3) operating residential and youth development programs for Detroit-area youth and is an existing recipient of SAY Detroit Radiothon funding ($10K in 2024). Comparability stems from overlapping youth-development mission, local Detroit geography, and shared funder relationships.
• LA SED Inc. Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development (LA SED) is a Southwest Detroit nonprofit delivering housing and family services - a direct peer as SAY Detroit's Working Homes/Working Families partner for home refurbishment and shared beneficiary population.
• Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS): Detroit-based 501(c)(3) providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services - highly comparable to SAY Detroit's Working Homes/Working Families program and overall housing-focused service model for Detroiters in need.
• Alternatives for Girls: Detroit nonprofit providing shelter, education, and wellness programming for girls and young women - direct peer to SAY Play's youth development and SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic's women's wellness programs (Wellness Wednesdays).
• Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries: Major Detroit 501(c)(3) addressing homelessness, hunger, and recovery - a direct peer operating broad community support programs in the same Detroit geography with comparable beneficiary base of vulnerable Detroiters.
• Midnight Golf Program: Detroit-based youth development nonprofit providing life skills, college readiness, and mentoring to youth from Detroit - directly comparable to SAY Detroit Play Center's youth development, mentorship, and college-prep programming.
• Habitat for Humanity of Detroit: Detroit Habitat for Humanity builds and rehabilitates affordable housing - a direct peer to SAY Detroit's Working Homes/Working Families and A Hole in the Roof Foundation programs, operating in the same housing-instability space with overlapping restoration/construction model.
• Bing Youth Institute: Detroit youth mentoring nonprofit founded by former Mayor Dave Bing - direct peer to SAY Play given overlapping youth mentoring mission. Existing Radiothon recipient ($10K in 2024 distribution).
• Michigan Veterans Foundation: Longtime Radiothon recipient providing housing and supportive services to Detroit-area veterans. Directly comparable as a Detroit-focused 501(c)(3) addressing housing instability and vulnerable-population service delivery alongside SAY Detroit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/saydetroit
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@saydetroit
• Facebookfacebook.com/SAYDetroit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saydetroit
• Instagraminstagram.com/saydetroit

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SAY Detroit