Overview:
- The Detroit 2030 District is rallying building professionals, sustainability advocates, and community leaders at its annual Kickoff Party and Fundraiser on February 26, 2026.
- This gathering aims to empower efforts to cut carbon emissions in Detroit's built environment. Through data tracking, technical assistance, and peer learning, the District champions strategies that lower costs and greenhouse gases, fostering a healthier, more resilient city.
The Detroit 2030 District is working to reduce carbon emissions from Detroit’s built environment by helping building owners and managers lower energy and water use, improve building performance, and create healthier, more resilient spaces.
Through data tracking, technical assistance, and peer learning, the organization supports practical, cost-effective strategies that reduce operating costs while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
To kick off its 2026 work, the Detroit 2030 District will host its annual Kickoff Party and Fundraiser on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2026, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Marygrove Conservancy.
The semi-formal event will bring together building professionals, sustainability advocates, funders, and community leaders for an evening of networking, dinner, exhibit tables, a silent auction, and raffle prizes. Tickets are available here.
Buildings account for a significant share of emissions in cities, largely due to energy and water consumption. In Detroit, improving building efficiency is closely tied to climate resilience, public health, and affordability, particularly as residents face increasing risks from extreme heat, flooding, and aging infrastructure.
The Detroit 2030 District’s work focuses on measurable reductions in energy and water use that can deliver near-term climate benefits.
The event will feature a keynote address by Wendy Lewis Jackson, managing director of the Detroit Program at The Kresge Foundation. Jackson will speak about Kresge’s investments in Northwest Detroit and the foundation’s plans to relocate its national headquarters to the Marygrove Conservancy campus.
Kresge has committed $180 million to the Marygrove campus and surrounding neighborhoods. Its planned 70,000-square-foot headquarters and community hub, anticipated to open by 2028, is expected to meet high sustainability standards, including electrification, solar power, and resource-efficient design. The project is intended to support long-term climate resilience both on campus and in nearby neighborhoods. (Editors note: The Kresge Foundation is a funder of Planet Detroit.)
Kresge’s current headquarters in Troy, Michigan, was the first building in Southeast Michigan to earn LEED Platinum certification. The foundation now invests approximately $19 million annually in climate-focused grantmaking to support clean energy transitions and climate adaptation in cities across the United States.
In Northwest Detroit, Kresge has pledged more than $50 million in neighborhood investments focused on housing stabilization, homeownership, public spaces, small businesses, and resident-led planning. The foundation has also committed to establishing a year-round resilience hub at Marygrove to support residents before, during, and after climate-related emergencies or infrastructure disruptions.
“Every step we take to address the climate crisis matters,” said Kendal Kuneman, executive director of the Detroit 2030 District. “This event supports the on-the-ground work helping Detroit building owners reduce energy and water use, lower operating costs, and cut carbon emissions.”
Sponsors for the 2026 Kickoff Party include the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), DTE, and Walker-Miller Energy Services. Early bird ticket pricing is available through Feb. 13, 2026. Organizations and individuals interested in sponsorship opportunities or donating a silent auction item can contact Kendal Kuneman at kendalkuneman@2030districts.org.
🌎 Detroit 2030 District is a Planet Detroit Impact Partner. Learn more about how Impact Partnership can help amplify your organization’s message here.
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