By Soula Burns, Vice President of Fund Development and Partnerships
Downtown Detroit is in a constant state of evolution. The priorities of the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) evolve with it.
We are grounded in our mission to cultivate social and economic impact in Downtown Detroit. We are equally focused on building the support needed to deliver that work at the highest level.
It takes a village to sustain a vibrant urban core. While the DDP is entrusted by the City of Detroit to manage and program Downtown’s parks and public spaces, this work is not ours alone. It is shared by a community that believes in what Downtown Detroit can be.
For 104 years, the DDP has been a leading advocate for the city. Today, that role has grown into a sophisticated civic platform bringing together place management, safety, mobility, data analytics, small-business support, and large-scale event execution to move Downtown forward.
We have earned the respect of grant makers. Foundations invest in our work because they know we are responsible stewards of their support. Their funding helps bring initiatives to life, from planning efforts like the I-375 Peer Review to signature experiences like the annual Detroit Tree Lighting. That trust is built over time and proven through results.
We’ve earned the confidence of large corporate partners and small businesses. Through free and fun family friendly events, we encourage community and boost Downtown’s foot traffic, keeping our small business ecosystem alive and well. We ensure partners receive real-world value for their support of the DDP.
We’ve earned the trust of our Members, who understand the importance of a strong Downtown Detroit. A thriving urban core is essential to a successful region. Our Members know we are responsible stewards of their investment and that we provide access to leading industry events and valuable networking opportunities.
Finally, there’s you. We have earned the trust of individual donors. Because of that support, we deliver more than 1,200 free events each year. We invest in thoughtful planning and proven strategies that keep our public spaces clean, safe, and welcoming for all.
If you have experienced joy when the gardens come back to life in the Spring, join us for a Movie Night in D, or spend time at the Beach at Campus Martius Park, you have seen this impact firsthand. These moments do not happen by chance. They happen because people like you choose to invest in Downtown.
Your support helps us continue this work. It ensures that these spaces and experiences remain accessible to everyone. It allows us to keep building a Downtown that people love to visit, work in, and call their own.
This work is only possible because of the trust you place in us. It is something we value, protect, and work every day to earn.
With over 25 years of experience in sales and events partnerships including eight seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Soula leads all fundraising efforts, which include grants, major gifts, legacy giving, general membership, individual donor giving, and corporate partnerships.
