Ann Arbor, Mich. –  The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business is partnering with U-M’s Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design to generate funds for an entrepreneurial and creative hub in one of Detroit’s residential neighborhoods.

Ross is supporting the Stamps School and its Detroit partners as they work to transformation a vacant 3,200 square foot building in Detroit’s Brightmoor neighborhood into the Brightmoor Maker Space.  A place where residents can learn new skillsets and implement their business ideas, the center will be located on the Detroit Community Schools’ campus. Ross students will bring awareness to the crowdfunding campaign and create business ideas for the center through two upcoming Impact Challenges on June 25 and July 1. An integrative part of Ross’ Sanger Leadership Center, these impact challenges are action-based and collaborative projects designed to make a social impact in the city of Detroit. The goal is to create profitable business ventures in the community, highlighting entrepreneurship. 

In addition to Ross, Stamps’ partners in the project include the Michigan Economic Development Corps (MEDC), Detroit Community Schools, Brightmoor Alliance and Neighbors Building Brightmoor.

“We're proud to support the Stamps School of Art and Design and a variety of community partners to launch and sustain such an important program for Brightmoor youth,” said Brian Flanagan, Managing Director of the Sanger Leadership Center. “This Patronicity crowdfunding campaign is an opportunity for all citizens across the state to get involved and invest in the future.”

This project is part of a two-year, $100,000 matching grant awarded to the Stamps School by the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation’s Knight Arts Challenges program. The goal is to raise $25,000 by July 10 using the crowdfunding platform Patronicity. If that amount is met by the deadline, MEDC will match that goal, for a total of $50,000. That amount will be used to launch first-year programming for the Brightmoor Maker Space. Campaign funds will go towards repair and updating the building, purchasing work tools and equipment, and resources that will support the maker space.

“Sanger's annual Impact Challenge is designed to stretch our students' leadership capability while giving them an opportunity to make a positive difference in the Detroit community,” said Flanagan. “Our goal, each year, is to become a better neighbor and stronger partner in the city's revitalization efforts, and model for our students that business can and should be a positive force in the community.”

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About Michigan Ross

The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is a vibrant and distinctive learning community grounded in the principle that business can be an extraordinary vehicle for positive change in today’s dynamic global economy. The Ross School of Business mission is to develop leaders who make a positive difference in the world. Through thought and action, members of the Ross community drive change and innovation that improves business and society.

Ross is consistently ranked among the world’s leading business schools. Academic degree programs include the BBA, MBA, Part-time MBA (Evening and Weekend formats), Executive MBA, Global MBA, Master of Accounting, Master of Supply Chain Management, Master of Management, and PhD. In addition, the school delivers open-enrollment and custom executive education programs targeting general management, leadership development, and strategic human resource management.

About the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design: (http://stamps.umich.edu/)

The Stamps School offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in art and design. The school’s unique open curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary study, requires international educational experiences, fosters community engagement, and draws on the resources only available at a top-ten research university. 

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