NW Goldberg Cares

NW Goldberg Cares (NWGC) is a community development corporation located in the heart of Detroit’s NW Goldberg neighborhood. The organization aims to improve the lives of residents in this predominantly African American community by incubating neighborhood businesses, strengthening community connections, and fostering a family-friendly environment.

Surrounded by Detroit’s highways and freeways, NW Goldberg is home to the Motown Museum, Henry Ford Health, and several other legacy institutions. Founded in 2017 by Daniel A. Washington, NWGC has worked to stabilize and revitalize the neighborhood through three core pillars: business, community, and family. Deeply invested in this often-overlooked historic neighborhood, the organization believes these pillars are interconnected and essential to creating a thriving community for residents.

While NWGC engages in economic development initiatives—including real estate development and the creation of public spaces—its work is driven by a strong focus on how residents use those spaces and what programs are needed to address gaps within the community. To activate its public spaces, NWGC established two free, family-centered programs: Learning in the Holland Maze and Music in the Park. Together, these programs build social cohesion and provide safe spaces for families to learn, connect, and create positive memories through reading, music, and interactive instruction.

The Opportunity

NWGC is committed to building social infrastructure that aligns with the needs of the community. Vacant land presents opportunities to create essential community assets such as parks, education and community centers, and affordable housing. Since 2017, the organization has worked to repurpose vacant land into safe, accessible open spaces while developing programs that fill critical gaps for the residents it serves.

In 2024, NWGC sought to expand the footprint of Curtis Jones Park to accommodate its summer youth sports program, scheduled to return in the summer of 2025. Acquiring vacant land is a key strategy in ensuring long-term neighborhood stability and prosperity. By proactively securing land, NW Goldberg Cares is positioned to promote equitable growth, generate economic opportunity, and preserve the integrity of the neighborhood for generations to come.

Ongoing Results

In 2024, the Alternative Foundation provided $45,000 in grant funding to NW Goldberg Cares to support the Learning in the Holland Maze and Music in the Park programs. This funding has been instrumental in increasing program capacity and ensuring that essential supplies—including books and hot lunches—are available to more than 150 participating families.

Major Accomplishments in 2025

Learning in the Holland Maze

  • Hosted The History of Detroit and Financial Literacy sessions

    • 16 families enrolled in the program

    • 19 children participated across both sessions

  • Provided over 700 hot meals and more than 1,500 snacks during the 6-week camp

  • Hosted five Career Day showcases

  • Supported 15 campers in opening high-interest savings accounts with Community Unity Bank

Music in the Park

  • 110 families enrolled

    • 182 children participated

  • Hosted five community engagement sessions

  • Partnered with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Living Arts

Community Development & Land Stewardship

  • Acquired four additional lots from the Detroit Land Bank Authority

    • Three lots will be transformed into a mini-orchard park, featuring fruit trees, berries, and herbs, and will support nutrition-based educational programming