Detroit’s continued growth is creating new opportunities—but ensuring Detroiters benefit from that growth takes intentional investment.

We believe economic mobility starts with creating pathways for people to build wealth, grow businesses and invest back into their communities. That’s why the Motor City Contractor Fund (MCCF)  – established in 2021 through a $1M seed investment from Rocket Community Fund  and now managed by Gilbert Family Foundation—has become an integral part of our Economic Mobility portfolio. This important work is led by those with deep experience in this space: Senior Program Manager Kinnus Paul and Director Linda Nosegbe of our Economic Mobility team.

In all, the Gilbert Family Foundation has committed over $6.47 million to Invest Detroit to support MCCF, including building the infrastructure needed to provide Detroit contractors with access to capital, technical assistance and business support. The investment builds on MCCF’s earlier pilot and was designed to create a sustainable program capable of serving at least 50 Detroit contractors annually, helping local businesses become better positioned to compete in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Through Motor City Contractor Fund, we’re helping Detroit-based contractors build more than successful businesses. We’re helping strengthen the backbone of our economy, where local contractors have the skills, technical expertise, business support and access to capital they need to compete in an increasingly competitive construction industry. Ultimately, we want to ensure that as Detroit grows, Detroiters are positioned to grow alongside it.

“Investing in Detroit entrepreneurs and small businesses isn’t just part of our Economic Mobility strategy, it is central to how wealth actually gets built in a community,” says Linda Nosegbe, Director of Economic Mobility at Gilbert Family Foundation. “Contractors are a particularly important part of that story. Detroit has talented contractors with the experience and expertise to take on larger projects. What they often need is capital, bonding, equipment, workforce support, or a pathway to contracts that makes that next step possible. That’s where we come in.”

Unlike traditional lending programs, MCCF combines intensive business coaching, technical assistance, peer learning and capital access into one integrated model. Contractors strengthen their financial management, business operations and procurement readiness before accessing financing, helping position them for sustainable, long-term growth. The program demonstrates that investing in people—not just projects—creates stronger businesses and stronger communities.

 

Creating Opportunity, Measured

Since launching, the Motor City Contractor Fund has delivered meaningful results for Detroit contractors and the city’s construction ecosystem:

  • 158 Detroit-based contractors supported
  • $3.2 million in loans deployed
  • $2.1 million in additional capital leveraged through lending partners
  • $5.3 million in total capital impact
  • $560,000 in grants distributed
  • 69 jobs created through the program’s first two cohorts
  • 41 Detroit contractors graduated from Cohort 3 in June 2026
  • 335 emerging contractors targeted for support by 2030

Beyond these milestones, the program’s impact is reflected in stronger businesses. Contractors who consistently engage in coaching and technical assistance are more likely to become capital-ready, demonstrating that hands-on business development is one of the strongest drivers of long-term success. And the impact has a ripple effect on Detroit’s economy. As Nosegbe explains, “When a Detroit contractor wins a project, the benefits stay close to home. They hire Detroit residents. They purchase from other local businesses. They build equity in their own company. Over time, that’s not just one business growing — that’s a stronger local economy taking shape.” Which is why, she says, her team is ultimately investing in the people, jobs and neighborhoods that drive Detroit’s economy.

Helping move this mission forward every day is Kinnus Paul, Senior Program Manager at the Gilbert Family Foundation. With extensive experience supporting contractors and small business growth, Kinnus has helped shape MCCF into a program that meets entrepreneurs where they are while preparing them for where they want to go.

His personal mission is one he often sums up in five simple words: “Get Detroiters paid.”

For Paul, that means helping local contractors build financial readiness, operational capacity and the confidence needed to compete for larger contracts, grow sustainable businesses and create jobs that strengthen Detroit’s entrepreneurial and small business ecosystem.

 

 

“What I’ve learned is that Detroit contractors don’t just need capital—they need access to opportunity and the support to be ready when that opportunity comes,” he said. “And that’s what MCCF is really about. We’re providing access to capital, but we’re also helping contractors strengthen their businesses through technical assistance, bonding, financial management, and connections to larger contracting opportunities.” Paul says the program is about growth and support as much as it is about giving contractors the tools for self-sufficiency and success. “When a contractor no longer just needs our support to get in the door, when they have built the capacity and relationships to compete, win, and grow on their own – that’s the real win,” he explains.

This summer, MCCF celebrated another milestone as 50 Detroit-based contractors graduated from the program’s third cohort after completing a rigorous 10-month business growth initiative. Each graduate represents another Detroit business better equipped to compete, hire and contribute to the city’s future. Paul says it best: “We want Detroit contractors winning more work, growing their businesses, hiring Detroiters, and creating opportunities for other people in their communities,” said Paul.

The success of the Motor City Contractor Fund over the last five years underscores our commitment to creating an economy where Detroiters don’t just participate in the city’s growth—they help lead it. Through investments like the Motor City Contractor Fund, we’re expanding opportunity, strengthening small businesses and ensuring that the people building Detroit’s future have every opportunity to build successful futures of their own.