September 19, 2024
MCR Resource Navigation team members Ashley Johnson, Adriana Walker, and Ravina Anthony (left to right)
This August brought the announcement of the newest community-based initiatives selected for the ninth round of The Kresge Foundation's KIP:D+ grant program. MCR's involvement with KIP:D+ continues a partnership that began in 2017, when Kresge approached MCR seeking input on re-imagining the program.
This year, KIP:D+ grants—administered by KIP:D+ partner organization Co.act Detroit—are geared toward implementation. This shift came in response to recommendations from MCR, a community advisory community, and community-sourced data presented by Data Driven Detroit.
The evolution of the KIP:D+ program showcases one example of a partnership between philanthropy, nonprofits, and nonprofit intermediaries that plays out in the community development sector in Detroit. The individuals navigating these relationships at MCR are our Resource Navigation team.
What is Resource Navigation?
In the spring of 2023, program managers Adriana Walker, Ashley Johnson, and Ravina Anthony each joined MCR, working under director Matthew Schmitt.
Resource Navigation program director Matthew Schmitt addresses new grantees at the September 12, 2024, grantee kick-off event.
This team stewards a body of work that puts them in direct contact with MCR's nonprofit clients on a daily basis. They help clients navigate resources available to help them advance their missions and deliver programs.
Now with over a year at MCR under their belts and one round of KIP:D+ in their portfolios, we asked the Resource Navigation team to reflect on their time with MCR, and what they’ve learned from their experiences.
Reflective and Responsive
“For me, I’ve learned nonprofits don’t all look the same,” said Adriana Walker.
In KIP:D+ round 9, the diversity of organizations working in the city is evident in the contrast between grantees. For example, Black Bottom Archives seeks to collect and preserve Black Detroit history and stories, while Detroit Horse Power uses equestrianism to inspire and teach Detroit youth.
Adding to Adriana's statement, Ashley Johnson said, “Despite their size, despite their capacity, all carry a similar burden. They all move forward with the same fervor. They are all working toward bettering Detroit and carry that burden.”
This variety in nonprofit need and impact means that our Resource Navigation team must respond to each round uniquely, tailoring their work to the needs of each new cohort of grantees.
“We let community lead our work,” Ravina Anthony said. “We have a workplan of our own, but we're letting the community let us know what they’re looking for from us, and pivoting based on that," she said.
"For example, we heard that nonprofits were struggling with being able to review contractor bids, not having a real estate background, so we held a workshop on owner’s representatives," she said.
As part of the cohort experience, MCR provides trainings and workshops on topics selected in response to interests and needs of cohort organizations.
Whether it’s developing relationships with contractors or assisting nonprofits with composing grant applications, the Resource Navigation team provides direct technical assistance, walking alongside KIP:D+ grantees on their journeys to completing their KIP:D+ funded projects, and beyond.
Power and Privilege
One thing the team understands is that the role of MCR as an intermediary gives us the privilege and responsibility to make sure that the programs and processes we interact with best serve the nonprofits who are doing the work. (Definition: Intermediaries are organizations like MCR that support other nonprofits, and who serve as a connector between philanthropy and community-based organizations.)
Resource Navigation program manager Adriana Walker networks with new KIP:D+ grantees at the September 12, 2024, grantee kick-off event.
“I think the biggest role that we have as an intermediary is to raise topics that neither grant-makers nor grant-seekers are willing or able to raise,” Ravina said. “It’s about having conversations to identify problems and barriers in the sector more broadly, and to bring up those trends at a systemic level in order to do something about it.”
“But also,” Ashley added, “supporting nonprofits when they advocate for change as well. When they have the courage and the aspirations to make changes to the sector, that we fully support and resource them in that.”
These tough conversations help to ensure that MCR’s work is informed, strategic, and reflective of actual needs felt in the nonprofit sector. Yet especially when it comes to programs like KIP:D+, there is joy in these tough discussions as well.
“Through our monthly coffee hours, through our alumni events, even through our workshops, we try our best to bring our community together,” Ravina said. “My favorite part of my role is seeing the joy this work creates for our grantees, our cohorts, and our partners in the sector.”
“That is my favorite part of the role,” added Adriana, “being able to just talk to people every day, and see how we can support and empower them. The best part is being able to build relationships. Whether it’s with community members, nonprofit leaders and staff, foundations, or funders, the best part of our work is being able to bring those people together to speak to each other as humans.”
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For more about MCR’s work with the KIP:D+ program, the stories of the current round of grantees, and more, visit our KIP:D+ page.
