At the end of April, leaders from 30 nonprofit organizations participating in our Southeast Michigan Community Impact Cohort gathered in Detroit to do what changemakers do best: show up, speak truth, and lean into community.

This wasn’t your average workshop. It was a day of radical clarity, honest reflection, and collaborative learning—designed to move us all forward in a time when progress can feel harder than ever. From refining impact frameworks to addressing the political elephants in the room, this unique, community-centered learning cohort, powered by Ballmer Group and UpMetrics, made every moment count.

🔥 Watch the highlight reel below to feel the energy from the day, then read our recap - including key insights and learnings shared by this dynamic and passionate group of Michigan-based changemakers.

Beginning with Human-Centered Grounding

We opened the day with connection—and not the “networking” kind. Over lunch, cohort participants were invited to drop their titles at the door and bring their full selves to the day. We reminded each other that this work is hard, and we all deserve space to engage in the way that feels most comfortable, whether that means diving into discussion or simply listening deeply.

One attendee summed it up beautifully:
🗣️ “This was the first time I’ve felt truly safe in a space like this. It reminded me I’m not alone in the challenges I’m facing.”

Impact Framework Breakouts: Building with Purpose

Next, participants broke into small groups organized by impact themes to workshop their Impact Frameworks and reflect on one another’s progress.

💡 An impact framework is a structured way for organizations to define what success looks like—clarifying their goals, the change they hope to create, and how they’ll measure progress along the way. It’s more than a reporting tool; it’s a compass for decision-making, storytelling, and alignment across teams, funders, and communities. Getting it right can unlock clarity, confidence, and stronger connections.

The conversations were deep, honest, and supportive, with participants guided via feedback prompts such as:

• What stands out as clear and compelling?

• What could be simplified or better aligned?

• What suggestions might clarify the path forward?

By the end of the session, participants walked away with refined frameworks—and new insight into how other organizations in their region are defining and measuring impact.

🗣️ "We have been doing a lot of wonderful work over the last 17 years, and it's been difficult to track the work and make sure that we're telling a compelling story that people can understand. Now, being a part of this cohort, I'm able to create a framework for my organization and make sure that we know who we're serving, why we're serving them, and how are we really impacting our neighborhood." - Kenyetta Campbell, Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance

The Elephant in the Room: Political Headwinds, Shared Resilience

In the afternoon, we created space for the hard stuff: how the current political climate affects mission-driven work in Southeast Michigan.

Participants reflected on challenges they're facing, such as funding insecurity, shifting regulatory demands, heightened community needs, and emotional burnout. They then shared these insights with the larger group, prompting wider discussions on

But they also shared their strategies—and their hope:

• Doubling down on tactics for amplifying community voices

• Building adaptable programs and contingency plans

• Ways to unite for stronger collective impact, such as sharing administrative services to enhance long-term sustainability.

🗣️ “It’s rare to have a space where we can talk about the political context so openly. This gave me language and confidence to bring back to my board.”

Funder Immersion Session & Panel Discussion: Bridging Conversations, Not Just Gaps

For the second half of the day, we invited local funders to join us to dive into the frameworks our cohort participants had created, and engage directly with the nonprofit leaders. Then came a panel conversation, moderated by Stephen Minix, featuring:

• Leslie Lynch, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Starfish Family Services

• Dr. Anisha Hannah, Executive Director, Pontiac Collective Impact Partnership

• Drew Payne, CEO, UpMetrics

The dialogue was rich and refreshingly real. Topics included:

• How impact frameworks have sparked internal alignment

• What nonprofits have learned from one another

• How the cohort model helps shift funder–grantee dynamics toward shared learning and trust

💡 “I joined the cohort to better define our impact—but what I didn’t expect was how much I’d learn from others in the room. We’re already applying ideas from our peers.”

From Drew Payne, reflecting on the cohort model in action:
💝 “This isn’t just theory anymore—it’s living, breathing collaboration. And it’s the kind of connection we need more of across the country.”

Closing with Celebration

We ended the day with a joyful happy hour—joined by additional local funders, nonprofit leaders, and community members. It was a celebration of progress, possibility, and people coming together to do the work better, smarter, and more connected.

As one participant put it:
👉 “This day filled my cup. I feel reenergized and more equipped to tell our story, build relationships, and adapt to the challenges ahead.”

What’s Next?

The Southeast Michigan Community Impact Cohort, sponsored by Ballmer group, is a three year program designed to strengthen nonprofit capacity, drive data-informed decision-making, and deepen social impact across Michigan’s Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

The 30 nonprofits participating in the cohort are currently finalizing their impact frameworks before continuing on to learning sessions dedicated to best practices around data capture and analysis, reporting, impact storytelling, and more. The participants have made incredible progress already, and they're just getting started.