Organized by Compass - Collective of Minority Professionals and Steam Societies
Help Compass Keep Michigan Tech Talent in Michigan
Every year, Michigan loses thousands of talented graduates to tech hubs on the coasts. They leave not because they want to — but because they don't see a path to thrive here. Compass exists to change that. Help Michigan students and professionals navigate their tech careers with Compass.
Compass — the Collective of Minority Professionals and STEAM Societies — is a Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit uniting professional organizations that serve underrepresented communities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Our mission is simple: train Michigan's next generation of tech talent, connect them with Michigan companies, and keep innovation right here at home.
Our community has grown to 5,000+ members across the Midwest and Canada, and in 2025-2026, we're scaling up with our most ambitious programming yet:
Michigan DevFest — Our flagship conference expects 1,000+ attendees for hands-on workshops, keynotes from industry leaders, and networking that connects job-seekers with Michigan employers.
4 Innovation Summits — Celebrating diverse heritage and honoring the contributions of underrepresented communities in tech throughout the year.
2 AI Hackathons — Where developers, designers, and dreamers come together to build solutions for real Michigan challenges.
Community Events — Including our Winter Mixer and networking gatherings that strengthen connections across our growing ecosystem.
✈️ Conference Scholarships — Sending Michigan students and professionals to transformative national conferences like AfroTech, Grace Hopper, and Tech Futures — experiences that open doors and expand networks.
Career Launch & Beyond — Most programs stop at job placement. We don't. A successful tech career starts on day one of your new job, and Compass provides ongoing mentorship and support to help professionals navigate their careers — not just land them. We're building the next generation of tech leaders, not just employees.
Your donation directly funds:
Venue and production costs for events across Michigan
Speaker travel and honorariums
Conference travel scholarships to send Michiganders to AfroTech, Grace Hopper, and more
Early career support for professionals landing their first tech jobs
Event scholarships so cost is never a barrier to attendance
Marketing to reach professionals who need us most
Technology and tools for hackathon participants
Every dollar you give has a multiplier effect. Compass is committed to spending locally — we exclusively support Michigan's BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and women-owned businesses for our events, vendors, and services. Your donation doesn't just fund programming; it circulates right back into the local economy and the communities we serve.
Michigan has the talent. Compass builds the bridges — and stays on the journey. Help us prove that you don't have to leave Michigan to make it in tech, and that making it is just the beginning.
Every dollar keeps a future tech leader in our state. Thank you for believing in Michigan — and in us.
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