Detroit Enterprise Fund

The Detroit Development Fund (DDF) operates as a certified nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution, providing financing, training, and consulting services. It extends microloans and business development support, fostering small enterprise growth. DDF strategically targets entrepreneurs of color, aiming to stimulate economic activity and local employment within its service areas.

DDF began in 1996, established as ShoreBank Enterprise Detroit, with an initial focus on Detroit’s east side community. This founding initiative stemmed from the insight that traditional banking overlooked promising businesses in specific urban areas, creating a significant capital gap for local entrepreneurs. Its establishment marked a commitment to equitable economic development.

The fund serves minority-owned businesses and small enterprises across Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. DDF’s long-term vision cultivates inclusive prosperity within these communities by empowering entrepreneurs, facilitating job creation, and expanding local wealth, serving as a foundational pillar for sustained economic empowerment.