DEXDesign in partnership with Wayne County Community College District, City of Detroit Planning and Development Department, City of Detroit Planning Commission, Wayne State University Nonprofit Sector Studies Program, and Michigan State Housing Development Authority will host a 14 week community development series for nonprofits, faith based organizations and community development corporations interested in increasing their capacity to develop programs/projects that are fundable. The purpose of the Developing Sustainable Communities is to facilitate the conversation on impediments to developments while creating and implementing strategies towards overcoming said impediments which includes; Developing Partnerships, Securing Community Development Lending, Procuring Funding, Keeping Community Involved, Facilitating Board Development, Marketing for Success and Designing and Managing Fundraising Program. Participants will gain a working knowledge of community/economic development through various strategies, which include the following: - Procuring Resources From Federal, State and Local Agencies, Foundations, Corporations, Etc. - Asset Based Community Development - Economic Development Strategies - Blue Print, Main Street, Cool Cities, Etc. - Outcome Based Strategies - Successful Collaborative Activities - Engaging Universities - Service Learning - Community Development Lending. Participant's Will Leave With A Template For Workable Community Development Plans and Fund Development Activities.

Board development is essential to the survival of a nonprofit. Participants will learn strategies that lead towards improving the board of directors recruitment and retention process for nonprofit corporations.

Funding for many successful projects is based on a few basic principles, i.e., preparation, presentation, developing an "A-Team," relationships and a solid plan. Participants will learn how to integrate these practices towards achieving an organization's two bottom lines, mission execution and resource generation (people, money and capital). These sessions are two days in duration and are designed to be interactive and engaging for participants who are desirous of gaining the basic skills for effective grant writing.

This interactive workshop will provide a better understanding on grant accounting procedures, budgeting, cash management and forecasting. Each session will include practical hands-on case studies.

After the idea and careful planning, then what? This course provides hands on knowledge on how to complete federal and state filings.

You have a dream and want to be your own boss, but don't know where to start, where and how to obtain financing, etc. Learn the basics of developing and implementing a business plan, procurring financing, marketing and developing the right business structure for success.