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WOMEN OPTIONS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
— · EIN · womendevelop.org
profile · synthesized from sources

Women Options Development Initiative (WODI) runs WE Develop, an accelerator program that empowers women in Michigan to lead equitable, sustainable real estate development projects. The program provides education, technical assistance, grant funding, mentorship, and access to capital for women developing affordable housing and community-centered properties. Participants are emerging women developers working on projects across Michigan, particularly in Detroit, Saginaw, and Lansing.

named programs · 2 · from sources

what they call their work

CRE Grant
Pre-development grant funding program that provides financial support to women-led development projects in Michigan, helping move projects from concept to execution.
WE Develop
Flagship accelerator program for emerging women real estate developers in Michigan, offering education, technical assistance, mentorship, and pre-development grant funding to advance sustainable, equitable housing and commercial projects.
activities · 5 groups

what they do

  • Professional Networking & Development Support 1 activity
    • External professional development and exposure opportunities
      Facilitates access to external events such as the ULI Spring event, enabling members to showcase their projects and engage with broader real estate networks through vendor tables and presentations.
  • Vocational and Life Skills Training 1 activity
    • Pre-development grant funding for women-led real estate projects
      Provides direct financial support of up to $50,000 for early-stage development costs, including feasibility studies, legal fees, and acquisition/rehabilitation or new construction of multifamily or mixed-use housing in low-income communities, specifically for projects led by women developers in Michigan.
  • Women's Leadership & Empowerment Programs 1 activity
    • Professional networking and technical support forums
      Hosts bi-monthly virtual meetings for emerging women developers, primarily in and around Detroit, to discuss project concepts, pathways to completion, and share professional and technical development resources, fostering peer learning and collaboration.
  • Community Outreach & Support Services 1 activity
    • Support for alumni-led development projects
      Tracks and supports ongoing neighborhood development initiatives advanced by WE Develop program alumni, with a collective project value exceeding $55 million.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • WE Develop Accelerator Program
      Provides intensive education, personalized technical assistance, mentorship, pre-development grant funding, and connections to capital and partners for emerging women real estate developers in Michigan. The program supports multifamily or mixed-use housing projects in low-income communities through acquisition/rehabilitation or new construction.
relationships · 19

who they work with

  • AE Collaborative Partner — Mentioned in relation to Karen AD Burton, President of WSDI.
  • CREW Detroit Partner — Rachele Downs, Secretary of WSDI, is a past president.
  • Cinnaire Partner — Lisa Campbell, Executive Director of WSDI, previously held a leadership role there, advancing mission-driven investments and supporting emerging developers.
  • Dominion Real Estate Advisors Partner — Rachele Downs, Secretary of WSDI, serves as Vice President.
  • Downs Diversity Initiatives, LLC Partner — Rachele Downs, Secretary of WSDI, is the founder of this consultancy.
  • Kornr Store Partner — Brinda Devine, Treasurer of WSDI, is the founder.
  • Michigan State Bar Association Partner — Jill Ferrari, Vice President of WSDI, is a licensed member.
  • Michigan State Housing Development Authority Funder — Provided a $1 million grant to WSDI to support emerging developers in Michigan.
  • Michigan State Housing Development Authority Partner — Partner in administering the CRE Developer Grant program.
  • Nail-Rite Construction Company, Inc. Partner — Kimle Nailer, from Nail-Rite Construction Company, Inc., is a member who has benefited from the organization's support.
  • Noir Design Parti Partner — Mentioned in relation to Karen AD Burton, President of WSDI.
  • Ostara Press Partner — Mentioned in relation to Jill Ferrari, Vice President of WSDI.
  • P8 Real Estate Solutions Partner — Brinda Devine, Treasurer of WSDI, is the founder.
  • Renovare Development Partner — Jill Ferrari, Vice President of WSDI, is the Managing Partner of this woman-owned social impact real estate development company.
  • Renovare Opportunity Fund Partner — Mentioned in relation to Jill Ferrari, Vice President of WSDI.
  • Spacelab Detroit Partner — Co-founded by Karen AD Burton, President of WSDI, it is a professional shared office and coworking space that equips small businesses and startups.
  • ULI Partner — Provided access to the ULI Spring event for members.
  • ULI Michigan Partner — Karen AD Burton serves as co-chair of its Pathways to Inclusion Committee; Jill Ferrari serves as Co-Chair of its District Council and founded its Women’s Leadership Initiative.
  • Women’s Development Collaborative Partner — Jill Ferrari, Vice President of WSDI, is a member.