Gilbert Family Foundation Sets Up $1.2M Fund To Help Detroit’s Small Contractors Grow

A new $1.2 million fund aims to boost small construction firms in Detroit. The Ignite Detroit Contractors Fund, started by the Gilbert Family Foundation, gives business training and financial guidance to local builders.

"The goals for the Detroit Ignite Contractor's Program is to help build capacity for early start contractors in the city of Detroit," said Kinnus Paul of the Gilbert Family Foundation. "We want to make sure they can grow and scale their businesses to take on larger projects."

Michigan Women Forward handles daily operations, linking builders with skilled mentors. The initiative stays open to qualified local contractors year-round. These experts step in to solve real-world business problems.

"Having a lending partner can really accelerate your growth. They teach you not only how to get the loan but we also provide technical assistance to manage your cash flow," said Dr. Kimle Nailer of Michigan Women Forward. "The training you learn in financial leadership, you're learning all these skill sets so you can actually get loans, manage it, repay it and continue to grow and scale."

SIDA Enterprise stands among the first businesses chosen for support. Darryl and Simone Smith started their company in 2002, focusing on kitchen and bath updates across Detroit.

"I'm here because of Ignite," said Darryl Smith, according to Click on Detroit. "The people that I'm meeting and the avenues that it's going to potentially open up for me once we get through the program are invaluable."

Smith sees his work as a lasting gift. "My goal is to have a company that's around for 100 years and I tell my kids all the time we're a quarter of the way there. It's up to you guys to pass it on to your kids and take it to the next 100 years," Smith said.

The fund tackles common hurdles faced by small builders. Smith stressed the promise he sees in Detroit construction: "You can come from any walk of life and overcome anything and do construction and be successful ... If you can go in and get a skilled trade and become a contractor, a plumber, an electrician, a brick mason — especially in Michigan, especially in Detroit right now -- there's really an opportunity to build a business and to live well."