Pistons Heighbors Program presents: Let's Play! A learning series to help nonprofits and neighborhood organizations provide spaces and activities for Detroiters to stay active during every season!

The Detroit Pistons Foundation in partnership with the Detroit Parks Coalition, Project Play, and The Work Department, and sponsored by the William Davidson Foundation and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation created the "Let's Play!" learning series in the Fall of 2021.

The first training series consisted of five virtual learning sessions and one in-person session that provided tips, resources, and best practices for nonprofits and grassroots organizations to produce engaging community-driven programming in public spaces. Covered topics included: designing activities, community engagement, fundraising, grant writing, acquiring permits, safety protocols and much more.

Participants also had the opportunity to apply for mini grants offered by the Detroit Pistons Foundation to fund their own public space activation programs. Details on the grant recipients are below.

Schedule

(Virtual sessions will be recorded and posted here)

Session I - Develop Your Public Space Program: How to Design Activities

Speaker: Rochelle Lento, President, People for Palmer Park

Session II - Develop Your Public Space Program: How to Work with Volunteers and Staff & How to Get the Word Out

Speakers: Yvette Bass-Pullom--Program Director, Chandler Park Conservancy and Ayo Thomas--Engagement Associate, Belle Isle Conservancy

Session III - Ensure a Safe and Secure Space

Speaker: Anthony Benavides -- Director, Clark Park Coalition

Session IV - Permitting and the City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Department

Speaker: Tracey Jackson-- Manager of Operations, City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Department

Session V - Get your Project Funded

Speaker: JJ Velez, Director Public Spaces, Rocket Community Fund and Matthew Schmitt, Program Manager, Michigan Community Resources

In-Person Event - How to Write a Grant: Get One-on-One Training and Advice

Pistons Performance Center, 6201 Second Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202

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Apply for a Grant*

Grant applications have closed

Program Resources

Download pdf

2021 LET'S PLAY GRANTEES

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply?
Any Detroit based organization focused on providing activities or public spaces in Detroit. Preferably a non-profit or community group.

Applicant must have attended at least one "Let's Play!" training session.

Where can your project be located?
Within Detroit city limits.

What kind of project are you looking to fund?
Any project that will have a positive impact on a Detroit neighborhood and will utilize a public space. The project should be open to the public, inclusive and safe.

We would prefer to fund a project that will be on-going or sustainable.

We will also look most favorably on organizations with a detailed budget and some contingency funds to deal with unexpected issues.

Examples of projects we would fund might include: community garden, weekly sports clinics, murals, book exchange, free sports equipment and storage, annual art fair.

What are the anticipated grant amounts?
We estimate that we will be giving out grants in amounts between $1000 and $5,000, depending on the requests we receive.

Do applicants need to be a 501(c)(3)?
We would prefer to grant to a 501(c)(3) organization; however we have partnered with two 501(c)(3) organizations who are willing to act as fiduciaries to groups without 501(c)(3) status. Applicants who are not 501(c)(3) organizations must use a fiduciary to receive grant funds, but the fiduciary does not have to be one of the organizations that we suggest.

Will this grant be offered again?
No. These will be one-time grants.

Is there a reporting requirement for the grants?
Yes, we will ask for a mid-year update and an end of year report. These will not be onerous reports, we will simply ask where your project stands and how the funds have been used up to that point.