Developers of Detroit

Developers of Detroit – Together We Build the Future

With your contribution, you’re helping to build a movement that will transform Detroit’s workforce and open doors for people who have never been given the chance to work in fields they have never imagined!

Every dollar you give will directly fuel training programs, paid internships, and community events that connect Detroit talent to real careers in technology, manufacturing, and innovation.

My name is Tommy Hailey.

I’m a Community Organizer of Developers of Detroit — a community network that helps Detroiters learn new skills, connect with mentors, and land jobs in tech, many,facturing, and emerging industries.

I’ve been fortunate to work alongside organizations like Centrepolis Accelerator, Newlab Detroit, Michigan Founders Fund, and the Apple Developer Academy. I’ve seen firsthand the impact that hands-on learning and real opportunities can have on someone’s life.

Detroit is full of bright, creative, and hardworking people. But too often, they’re shut out of the industries shaping the future because they lack access to training, mentorship, and professional networks. This leaves a huge pool of untapped potential, and that holds back not only individuals but our city’s growth as a whole.

Developers of Detroit is building a pipeline from training to employment:

Hands-On Workshops – teaching skills in coding, app development, advanced manufacturing, and design.

Paid Internships – so participants can focus on learning without sacrificing income.

Mentorship & Networking – connecting talent with local professionals, companies, and startup founders.

Online Platform – a mobile app and website to match members with jobs, events, and opportunities year-round.

We’ve already started hosting workshops and building partnerships with local businesses — now we need your help to scale our impact.

How Your Contribution Will Be Used

Goal: $500,000 – a 5-year plan to expand programs, internships, and platform development across Detroit.

Breakdown:

Workshops & Training Materials – $150,000

Internship Stipends – $200,000

Equipment (Laptops/iPads, etc.) – $80,000

Community Events & Networking Nights – $50,000

Operational Costs (5 years) – $20,000

Our Timeline

Year 1 (2025–2026): Launch workshops, internships, and app prototype.

Year 2–3 (2026–2027): Expand platform, grow partnerships, host job fairs.

Year 4–5 (2028–2029): Scale into a state-wide network, place hundreds of Detroiters in tech and manufacturing careers.

Join Us

When you give to Developers of Detroit, you’re not just donating — you’re investing in people, in careers, and the future of our city. No contribution is too small.

Every single dollar will bring us closer to a Detroit where anyone, regardless of background, can learn, grow, and thrive.

Together, we can build the future.