Crowdfunding campaign launched for Camp Carpenter Detroit

$10,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – Detroit will soon gain a new outdoor adventure space designed by local youth and artists through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Popps Packing announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $10,000 by June 20, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/cc.

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

“Camp Carpenter will be a space for creation and play lead by a committed neighborhood arts organization,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Katharine Czarnecki. “We are pleased to provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program."

This campaign will allow the summer camp to expand its footprint and adventure ground. It will include free camp sessions for all youth living in Detroit District 3, Highland Park and Hamtramck. Campers will work with lead artists, visiting artists and mentors to build Camp Carpenter further and complete the tree fort and stage transforming vacant lots into vibrant space for play.

“Camp Carpenter pairs Detroit area artists with local youth to explore and play while developing building skills that result in the design of a unique environment. Together, children and artists have been transforming vacant lots into a family-friendly and exciting green space for all,” said Faina Lerman, executive director of Popps Packing. “The PSCP matching grant program will allow us to make Camp Carpenter free and accessible to local youth, pay local artists, purchase tools, building supplies and materials and help us continue to inspire and empower the next generation of artists and makers.”

“Effective placemaking is often about improving existing assets in a community and that’s what this project at Camp Carpenter does,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. “With the community’s support, this new outdoor adventure space will be a source of pride for years to come.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of May 15, 2019, MEDC has provided $6,405,411 in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 211 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $7.5 million raised from 39,255 individual donors.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.