Our Progress: 12 Months in a Pandemic

This update was originally shared in the Detroit Newsletter. Read the original or sign up to receive quarterly updates from GreenLight Fund Detroit. 

By Rishi Moudgil

How do you recap a year like we just had? For too many of our most vulnerable, life didn’t change as much as existing adverse conditions were amplified. Any veneer of shared prosperity was exposed, highlighting the work that remains for all of us.

I began my work at GreenLight Fund Detroit four years ago this week, when our co-founders and a coalition of Detroiters essentially asked: How can we significantly improve social and economic mobility in our city with residents leading the way? That question drove me then as it did when the pandemic hit, and it continues today.

As we close out our founding fund, our focus is on ensuring that our three social investments reach their ambitious goals over the next several years. I’m proud as they have gone deep for our children and families despite the pandemic shocks. We will also continue to champion our people-centered approach and values that build power locally.

I hope you and your loved ones are overcoming the adversity of this past year. In 2021, we’ll continue listening to you as we build our second fund in Detroit.

-Rishi Moudgil
Founding Executive Director,
GreenLight Fund Detroit

Updates from GreenLight Fund Detroit

• MARCH | SHIFT event postponed, NextGen Social Impact Leaders group convened
• APRIL | Rishi urges sustained support of social impact organizations during early pandemic (Alliance Magazine / Freep)
• MAY | Our opinion: How Detroit Leads through Crisis (Bridge Detroit / Real Clear)
• JUNE | GreenLight Fund Detroit announces Springboard Collaborative at-home literacy program
• JULY | CEO Detroit distributes $1.4 million stimulus (Freep)
• AUGUST | CEO leads statewide effort to end lifetime ban on food assistance program (Freep)
• SEPTEMBER | New Teacher Center launches next Detroit teacher cohort
• OCTOBER | Independent Sector Upswell Conference: Centering People’s Power in Philanthropy
• NOVEMBER | 2 years after launch, CEO employs 147 residents along with low recidivism rates (Twitter)
• JANUARY – MARCH | Continue reading in the newsletter >>