Collaboration across sectors is essential for tackling complex challenges like affordable housing and community development. In this episode of Natural Collisions, experts at the forefront of cross-sector partnerships share insights on what makes collaborations successful - the opportunities and the challenges.

Through real-world stories, we explore how nonprofits, businesses, and policymakers can work together to build stronger, more resilient communities. Whether you're in the nonprofit world, policymaking, or passionate about Detroit’s future, this conversation offers practical takeaways for driving meaningful impact.

GUESTS:
Shari Williams, Director of Equitable Neighborhood Planning, Detroit Future City - https://detroitfuturecity.com/
Heidi Reijm, Principal Community Development Specialist, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago - https://www.chicagofed.org/
Madhavi Reddy, Executive Director, Community Development Advocates of Detroit - https://cdad-online.org/

To find out more about Co.act Detroit visit - https://coactdetroit.org/

Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome
01:54 - Guest Introductions
03:42 - Cross-Sector Collaboration Explained
12:03 - Affordable Housing Crisis
27:37 - Equitable Collaborative Efforts
39:50 - Final Thoughts & Insights

In this special episode of Natural Collisions, we celebrate Co.act Detroit's five-year anniversary, recorded live at the historic Jam Handy in Detroit. Join us as we highlight the incredible work of nonprofit organizations from across Southeast Michigan.

We explore how Co.act Detroit has supported collaboration, innovation, and impact in our communities through speeches and interviews with leaders and changemakers. This milestone is not just about the past five years—it's about inspiring a shared vision for the future. Don’t miss this inspiring reflection on what’s possible when nonprofits unite for a greater cause.

Speakers:
Kelly Brittain, Vice President of Impact at the Children’s Foundation - https://yourchildrensfoundation.org/
Rashard Dobbins, Executive Director at Class Act Detroit - https://www.classactdetroit.org/
Amanda Andere, CEO at Funders Together to End Homelessness - https://www.funderstogether.org/

Interviews:
Kourtney Neloms - Catalyst Consulting 313
Tony Russell - Detroit Community Solutions
Shadora Ford - Destined For Greatness
David Silver - Detroit Horse Power
Adriene Bulger
Amanda Holiday - Congress of Communities
George Cole - Act Now Services
Jackie Dunlap - Teachers Supporting Teachers
T. Yarnell Ball - Read Art Loud

To find out more about Co.act Detroit visit - https://coactdetroit.org/

Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome
01:38 - Welcome from Allandra Bulger
03:15 - Kelly Brittain
07:47 - Rashard Dobbins
13:08 - Amanda Andere
21:37 - Allandra’s Thank You
23:29 - Celebration Interviews

In this episode of Natural Collisions, we spotlight the vital work of Macomb County nonprofits making a difference for young people in need. Join us for an engaging conversation about the impact of partnerships to transform young lives.

Our “colliders” share inspiring stories of collaboration, challenges, and triumphs in serving youth and families. Discover how their organizations provide essential support, foster hope, and build stronger communities through compassionate action.

GUESTS:
Joella E. Bush, Executive Director at Giana House - https://giannahouse.org/
Fred Huebener, Board Member at Macomb Foster Closet - https://macombfostercloset.org/

More information about Macomb County is available at - https://advancingmacomb.com/

To find out more about Co.act Detroit visit - https://coactdetroit.org/

Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome
01:32 - Guest Introductions
05:33 - Personal Journeys and Missions
12:33 - Youth Service Collaborations in Macomb
33:41 - Collaborative Models in Macomb
43:58 - Final Thoughts & Next Steps

In this episode of Natural Collisions, we explore the critical intersection of civic engagement and public policy for nonprofits. What are the most pressing civic issues nonprofits could be focusing on today? How can nonprofits effectively engage to advocate for the communities they serve while remaining compliant with regulations?

The “colliders” for this conversation discuss the challenges and opportunities nonprofit organizations face during election seasons while offering strategies for building coalitions that amplify the voices of underrepresented communities.

GUESTS:
Joan Gustafson, External Affairs Officer, Michigan Nonprofit Association
Regina Bell, Chief Policy Officer, Council of Michigan Foundations
Kamilia K. Landrum, Executive Director, Detroit Branch NAACP

For voting information on the upcoming election visit - https://mi.gov/vote

To find out more about Co.act Detroit visit - https://coactdetroit.org/

Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome
01:29 - Guest Introductions
05:22 - Civic Engagement Personal Stories
14:52 - Nonprofit's Role in Civic Engagement
26:17 - Collaboration & Coalitions
31:43 - Final Thoughts & Next Steps

Scarcity and competition hinder the ability to collaborate. While those worries are normal, they stop organizations with common goals from building strong partnerships. How do we change that?

The Dovetail “How We Collaborate” Playbook is designed to provide a framework for organizations and teams to work together more effectively. It helps establish shared values, language, and practices for collaboration, ensuring that everyone is aligned on goals and approaches, equitably.

Access the “How We Collaborate” Playbook here - https://dovetaildetroit.org/playbook-trilogy/how-we-collaborate/

The “colliders” for this conversation bring a wealth of experience in creating shared strategies for collective action and community development in Detroit & SE Michigan. They have been valuable partners in the development of the “How We Collaborate” Playbook.

GUESTS:
Heather Nugen, Director of Systems Transformation at Michigan Community Resources
Shelley Danner, Co-Founder & Program Director at Challenge Detroit
Charnae Sanders, Program Manager at Coact Detroit

The “How We Collaborate” Playbook was created in a partnership between Michigan Community Resources and Co.act Detroit. It emerged from meaningful conversations during the “2021 Detroit Capacity Building Forum: How We Collaborate.” It also draws upon ideas shared locally and nationally about advancing equity and collaboration in the nonprofit sector.

To access the 2021 Detroit Capacity Building Forum: How We Collaborate visit - https://padlet.com/micommunityresources/how-we-collaborate-2021-detroit-capacity-building-forum-bkxqn5rbm5holk7w

To find out more about Co.act Detroit visit - https://coactdetroit.org/

Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome
01:41 - Guest Introductions
03:22 - Purpose of Playbook
05:27 - Collaboration in Detroit
08:08 - Challenge Detroit
12:30 - The Playbook in Action
24:58 - Best Use of the Playbook
32:16 - Final Thoughts & Next Steps

Can nonprofit organizations become workplace environments that nurture rest and wellness?

This episode marks the conclusion of our Fund Well Series, which has focused on the importance of funding wellbeing for nonprofit leaders and teams. For more conversations about wellbeing and rest, check out Co.act's Nonprofit Wellbeing Series and the Virtual Resource Library here: https://coactdetroit.org/resources/virtual/.

The “colliders” for this conversation have joined from across the globe - Washington State and London, England - to bring their unique and “radical” ideas to the Co.act Detroit community. This candid conversation challenges the grind and burnout culture prevalent in the nonprofit workplace.

GUESTS:
Jodi Nishioka, Co-Executive Director at BIPOC ED Coalition WA - https://bipocedcoalitionwa.org/
Kate Oliver, Radical Rest Network - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kate-oliver-96b6a6162

Read Kate Oliver’s blog post on Radical Rest - https://www.anewdirection.org.uk/blog/radical-rest-for-the-cultural-sector

To join the Radical Rest Network visit - https://forms.gle/kaLvPzRRQmgbyQaS7

To learn more about the mentioned book, “Rest is Resistance” by Tricia Hersey, visit - https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/tricia-hersey/rest-is-resistance/9780316365536/

To find out more about Co.act Detroit visit - https://coactdetroit.org/

Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome
01:11 - Guest Introductions
01:57 - Personal Jouneys
07:54 - Rest is Unique
12:33 - Benefits of Sabbaticals
37:32 - The Radical Rest Network
46:07 - Final Thoughts & Next Steps

This special recap Natural Collisions episode highlights the 2022 Detroit Capacity Building Forum. The forum was focused on one thing: investing differently in our nonprofits and our communities.

Conversations about investing often center on funders and those with financial power. When we reframe the conversation to include nonprofit employees, consultants, organizers, social justice advocates, and community residents, we open the way for transformative possibilities.

The goals of the Detroit Capacity Building Forum were:
1 - Explore how our ecosystem can invest differently in organizations, ideas, and people
2 - Honor those working to create more equitable funding landscapes
3 - Create a playbook that redefines investing and guides movements now and for the future

The Detroit Capacity Building Forum was a collaboration between Co.act Detroit and Michigan Community Resources. Hosted by Orlando Bailey. To learn more about some of the resources shared during the forum, visit coactdetroit.org/documents/dcbf-resources.

Sessions:
00:00 - Welcome
02:33 - 12 Recommendations for Detroit Funders
19:59 - Lightning Talk with Lisa Leverette - Nonprofits & Allies
30:02 - Shifting Funder-Nonprofit Power Dynamics
51:22 - Lightning Talk with Vu Le - Nonprofits & Allies
01:10:03 - Closing Information

To find out more about Co.act Detroit visit - https://coactdetroit.org/

The Nonprofit-Funder Dialogue Series was designed to build trust and challenge traditional roles and power dynamics between funders and regional nonprofit leaders.

The “colliders” for this conversation were all involved in a series of conversations between funding organizations and nonprofit leaders. These “brave spaces” provided an opportunity for nonprofits and philanthropic foundations to have a candid discussion to develop deeper, more trusting relationships in Michigan’s nonprofit sector.

The Nonprofit-Funder Dialogue Series was a collaboration between the Dorothy A. Johnson Center at Grand Valley State University and Co.act Detroit, with facilitation provided by The Eureka Group. For more information visit - https://coactdetroit.org/npfd/

00:00 - Welcome
02:18 - Guest Introductions
05:18 - Nonprofit-Funder Dialogue Series Explained
07:19 - Power Dynamics between Nonprofit & Funders
14:35 - Collaborative Efforts Creating Conversations
17:43 - Shared Recommendations & Discussion
35:50 - Final Thoughts & Next Steps

GUESTS:
Maria Salinas, Executive Director - https://www.congressofcommunities.com/
Lesley Slavitt, Executive Director - https://johnsoncenter.org/
Kyle Caldwell, President & CEO - https://www.michiganfoundations.org/
Tameka Ramsey, Director - https://www.tramseyllc.com/
Allandra Bulger, Executive Director - https://coactdetroit.org/

To find out more about Co.act Detroit visit - https://coactdetroit.org/