The Detroit Free Press recently published an article highlighting the results of the Detroit Nonprofit Leadership Census, a collaboration between the Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) and Data Driven Detroit (D3).

The survey looked at racial diversity in leadership roles from a sample of 200 organizations out of about 1,500 operating in the city. MNA's Nellie Tsai, social innovation officer, was quoted on the general importance of the survey, especially with events in the past two years. 

In a January 2nd article of MiBiz, Andy Balaskovitz writes about the challenges that ongoing COVID concerns and reported case surges create for nonprofits.

In the wake of the omicron variant and the surge of COVID-19 cases, many nonprofit leaders are addressing the challenges of maintaining donor relationships.

In the article, Michigan Nonprofit Association's Kelley Kuhn speaks to these challenges, nonprofit's role in helping with federal relief funds, and current "giving" trends.

From BridgeDetroit.com
by Olivia Lewis

Not all heroes wear capes, but if Donna Murray-Brown wore one, it would match the style and grace of a woman constantly pushing to support Detroit and Michigan nonprofits.

After 12 years at the Michigan Nonprofit Association, the first Black woman to lead the statewide organization will leave her post at the end of this month. A longtime Detroiter, Brown spent the last decade supporting capacity-building initiatives, advocating on behalf of the nonprofit sector, and creating space for Black, Brown and Indigenous communities. Brown announced her resignation earlier this year.

DETROIT- Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) in partnership with Data Driven Detroit (D3) today released the results of a first-of-its-kind survey that shows the racial leadership gap within the nonprofit sector in the city of Detroit.

As a middle school student, Asia Jones was inspired to help other girls around her succeed. Growing up in Mason, Michigan, she noticed that some of her peers weren’t getting the same kinds of opportunities that she was. “I realized that not all of my friends had the village of support I had, and I wanted to fix that,” she said. She and her mom, LaShaunta Waller, began hosting workshops for friends at their house. As Jones began helping girls at her school, she realized the larger need around the Greater Lansing Area.

By Tammy Pitts, MNA Director of Communications and Marketing

The impact of COVID-19 on Michigan nonprofits has meant canceled in-person fundraisers and a strain on budgets and resources. Yet, at a time when local nonprofits need funding to remain afloat, one of the oldest charitable organizations in Detroit tells me that applications for grant funding are down. Grants are vital for nonprofits- especially in a pandemic. So, what could be the reason for a decline in applications for funding that can be used to help children in the Detroit area? Board member Eileen Dixon of the Detroit Industrial School Foundation provided some insight.

From November 30 | Center for Effective Philanthropy | by Chole Heskett (CEP)

The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) held their third 2021 Virtual Learning Session. In that online discussion, Michigan Nonprofit Association's Donna Murray-Brown was one of the featured panelists, addressing the research findings around the topic, "Foundations Respond to Crisis: Lasting Change?" The article on CEP's website is a transcript of the virtual session. Here's a sample from the article:

This week the Board of Directors for the Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) announced Kelley Kuhn as their choice to fill the vacant CEO position left by the departure of Donna Murray-Brown. Kelley had previously served as the Vice President for MNA. 

In a Wood TV8 artcle, MNA's Kelly Kuhn was quoted speaking to the challenges of nonprofits and highlighting the need for donations during this year's Giving Tuesday. 

MNA's Kelly Kuhn was quoted in a Lansing City Pulse article regarding the challenges facing nonprofits and how they've looked to perserve to serve their audiences and communities.

As the pandemic continues to put a damper on fundraising, Michigan nonprofits need support on GivingTuesday. “Nonprofits in general are always in need of donations and it’s certainly not at the level that it was pre-pandemic,” said Kelley Kuhn, vice president at Michigan Nonprofit Association. “Oftentimes, these are our grassroots organizations that are in our communities that may be of most need.”

from WXYZ, as reported by Kimberly Craig

Michigan Nonprofit Association's Kelley Kuhn was recently featured in an In-Depth report on WXYZ. Kuhn spoke to the difficulties that nonprofits everywhere are having in raising donations, even post-pandemic.

By MJ Galbraith | Courtesy of modeldmedia.com

Community Redistricting is a series about how Michigan communities are working together to end gerrymandering so that all residents have a voice at the local, state, and federal level. This series is made possible with funding from the Michigan Nonprofit Association.

After 80 Michigan residents stood before the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to comment on the draft maps released by the commission this past October, the in-person portion of the Lansing public hearing, it had appeared, was complete. It was time for the commission to move on to remote public commentary, held virtually via Zoom.

Three publications recently posted an article by MJ Galbraith titled, "Communities left questioning the redistricting process as they don’t see themselves represented." The article hears from community leaders expressing concerns around the release of redistricting maps and how those new maps will affect under-represented segments and communities across Michigan. You can read the articles in the Flintside, Second Wave Media, and Model D web sites. Links below.

By MJ Galbraith - Model D

Jerron Totten has a question for the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.

If the purpose of the Michigan Redistricting Public Comment Portal was to enable the public, as the website itself states, “to submit public comment to the Commission, and tell them what’s important to know as they draw the new district lines,” why was the most popular map submitted not reflected in any of the Commission’s recently released draft maps?

Donna Murray-Brown was recently named to Crain's Detroit Business 100 Most Influential Women of 2021 list. Murray-Brown reflects on various career highlights, milestones, and general learnings from her years of experience. Read the transcript of the article below.

MNA President and CEO Donna Murray-Brown reflects on sabbatical

On Thursday, October 21st, Michigan's Redistricting Commission heard feedback and thoughts on early drafts of new maps for state and congressional legislative districts. Michigan Nonprofit Association's External Affairs Officer, Joan Gustafson, represented the organization's efforts to bring transparency to the process and shine a light on why these forums are important.

Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) is proud to welcome Claire Horlings as the organization’s new Business Development Officer. In this role, Horlings is responsible for all business development activities which includes membership cultivation and retention, network growth, customer service strategy and sales. Serving on MNA’s senior leadership team, she will expand strategic partnerships and ignite membership growth.

Originally published by MJ Galbraith on Model D