For years, Storehouse has connected quality goods to nonprofits across Michigan. But we’ve always known that building stronger nonprofits goes beyond what fits on our warehouse shelves.

Serving over 650 organizations across every sector, we’re expanding our mission as a connector—not just of donated goods, but of the services, expertise, funding opportunities, and partnerships that help nonprofits thrive.

This resource guide brings together essential Michigan nonprofit resources in one accessible place. Because when nonprofits have what they need, they can focus on what matters most: serving our communities and creating lasting change.

Welcome to Storehouse, your connection point for nonprofit success.

General Nonprofit Resources – Statewide Organizations

• Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) – The statewide membership organization that strengthens the collective voice, leadership, and capacity of nonprofits, offering technology services, training, advocacy, and networking opportunities. Website: mnaonline.org

• Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) – Leads and supports Michigan’s philanthropy community, providing educational programs, networking opportunities, and access to grant databases like Foundation Directory Online and Candid. Website: michiganfoundations.org

• Michigan Community Resources – Supports nonprofit and grassroots organizations with capacity building services, tailored cohort experiences, and legal guidance using a lens of racial and social equity. Website: mi-community.org

• Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance (West Michigan)

  Provides leadership training, team building, HR support, job board, and consulting services for West Michigan nonprofits.

  Website: lakeshorenonprofits.org

Affordable Housing Resources – Key State Organizations

• Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) – The state’s primary housing agency providing financing, policy development, and partnerships to expand access to affordable housing. Website: michigan.gov/mshda
• Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) – Works on affordable housing advocacy and development. Website: cedamichigan.org
• Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness – Provides advocacy and resources for addressing homelessness. Website: mihomeless.org

Affordable Housing Finance Resources

Understanding the various financing mechanisms and incentives available for affordable housing development is crucial. Below are comprehensive resources that explain different funding tools:

Comprehensive Finance Guides

• Colorado Affordable Housing Developer’s Guide – The most comprehensive interactive guide covering affordable housing development, financial feasibility, capital stack building, and various financing tools. Includes video training sessions and proforma tools. While Colorado-specific, the framework applies nationally. Website: developers-guide.chfainfo.com
• Housing Toolbox  – Explains the guiding principles of affordable housing finance, capital stacks, debt/equity/grants, LIHTC programs, tax-exempt bonds, and includes links to interactive development cost models. Website: housingtoolbox.org/financing-and-funding/basics
• HUD Exchange – Effective Use of Public Funds – Contains resources on revolving loan funds, tax increment financing, inclusionary zoning funds, housing trust funds, and potential dedicated revenue sources for affordable housing production. Website: hudexchange.info (search for public funds)
• Local Housing Solutions – Explains state funding sources including LIHTC, private activity bonds, and HUD block grants (CDBG, HOME, ESG, NHTF), with details on Qualified Allocation Plans. Website: localhousingsolutions.org
• Shelterforce – Affordable Housing Finance 101 – Breaking down foundational concepts including total development cost, capital stack, senior loans, equity, and supply-side subsidies in clear, accessible language. Website: shelterforce.org (search for ‘Affordable Housing Finance 101’)

Michigan-Specific Housing Finance Resources

MSHDA Developer Resources –Administers federal LIHTC in Michigan and provides information on Direct Lending Parameters, Gap Financing Programs, Equity Bridge Loan Program, and the Qualified Allocation Plan. Website: michigan.gov/mshda/developers

Get Housing Ready Guide – Michigan’s guide for municipalities on development-friendly policies, including PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes), Housing TIF, CDBG grants, and various zoning reforms to incentivize development. Website: michigan.gov/mshda/neighborhoods/housing-ready

Key Financing Tools Overview

The main financing mechanisms for affordable housing include:

• LIHTC (9% and 4% credits) – The primary federal tool for affordable housing development
• Tax-Exempt Bonds/Private Activity Bonds – Low-interest financing for qualifying projects
• HOME funds – Federal block grants for affordable housing
• CDBG – Community Development Block Grants
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF) – Uses future tax revenue increases to fund current improvements
• PILOT programs – Property tax abatements to reduce development costs
• Gap financing/subordinate loans – Flexible financing to fill funding gaps
• Housing Trust Funds – Dedicated funding sources for affordable housing
• State housing bonds – Long-term financing through state-issued bonds

Technical Assistance

Cinnaire (Michigan-based CDFI) specializes in structuring complex affordable housing financing deals and may provide technical assistance or additional resources. Website: cinnaire.com

Service Organizations

• Community Housing Network – Helps Metro Detroiters find safe, affordable housing through various programs addressing crisis, homelessness, and housing instability. Website: communityhousingnetwork.org
• United Community Housing Coalition – Provides housing assistance to Detroit’s low-income residents, focusing on eviction and foreclosure prevention since 1973. Website: uchcdetroit.org

Education Resources

K-12 Organizations

• The K-12 Alliance of Michigan – Statewide leader in education policy and advocacy ensuring equitable access to quality education. Website: k12michigan.org
• Michigan Education Foundation – Nonprofit organization supporting quality public education in Michigan. Website: michiganeducationfoundation.org
• Michigan Virtual – Nonprofit advancing K-12 education through digital learning, research, innovation, and partnerships since 1998. Website: michiganvirtual.org

Higher Education & College Access

• Michigan College Access Network – Works to improve college accessibility through the Michigan Higher Education Attainment Roundtable (MIHEART), advocating for resources to support low-income, first-generation, and students of color. Website: micollegeaccess.org

Workforce Development Resources

State Programs

• Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) – Workforce Development – Promotes a flexible and effective workforce system, supporting structurally unemployed individuals and aligning workforce development with economic development. Website: michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd
• Michigan Works! (Regional Offices) – Provides job search assistance and retraining to low-income individuals through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, offering scholarships and on-the-job training programs. Multiple regional locations statewide – search for your local Michigan Works! office

Training and Support Organizations

• Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute – Provides apprenticeship readiness training and workforce development support, having secured over $12 million in state funding. Website: miaflcio.org/institute
• Going PRO Talent Fund – Provides competitive awards for workforce training that addresses skill shortages in Michigan. Administered through Michigan Works! offices. Contact your local Michigan Works! office for information

Grant Opportunities

GrantWatch Michigan – Searchable database for housing grants and workforce development grants in Michigan.

Housing grants: michigan.grantwatch.com/cat/19/housing-grants.html

Workforce grants: michigan.grantwatch.com/cat/40/workforce-grants.html

Instrumentl – Grant database for affordable housing and K-12 education grants in Michigan. Website: instrumentl.com

Additional Notes

These resources provide a solid foundation for Michigan nonprofits. Each organization offers different services, so nonprofits can find support whether they need capacity building, funding opportunities, training, or advocacy assistance.

To suggest additions, please contact us at (616) 855-1700.