Our nonprofit developers build affordable housing that we desperately need. Most private developers aren't interested in that kind of housing. So nonprofit community developers have a vital role in our city's future. It's hard to appreciate a period of prosperity if you still can't afford a decent place to live. Raise the Roof Day promoted greater awareness of the importance of affordable housing and the current shortage of affordable housing across the nation.
Nonprofits face a never-ending battle for funding.
Like governments, they face increased pressure to compete with private companies offering similar services. They face internal pressure to diversify and improve themselves without betraying their primary mission. Yet, nonprofits will continue to hold our communities together and enrich us in as many ways as there are organizations. Let me conclude by mentioning a few of the foundations and foundation-sponsored projects that are making such a big difference for city agencies and for other nonprofits in the City of Detroit. We owe a debt of gratitude to Judy O'Connor for helping to make that grant happen in Detroit, as Executive Vice President of the Council of Foundations.