Projects

In 2026, we have three main projects that need tax-deductible donor help. MCLC uses the GiveButter donation platform to manage contributions. Givebutter has lots of payment options. For contributions >$1,000, it is generally better to either mail us a check (337 E. William Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2316) or arrange for a wire transfer. If a wire transfer is of interest, please send an email to info@michiganclc.coop and we’ll work with you. We're also happy to work with interested donors on legacy gifts -- bequests, charitable gift annuities, and the like. 

Housing Operations

Working with low- and very low-income communities means that MCLC always welcomes donations to help cover operating costs. Our communities are designed to be self-sufficient for most day-to-day expenses. Nonetheless, there are always maintenance projects that would be delighted to have more resources. Donations to the Maintenance Fund help to fund major maintenance projects that keep our properties providing quality housing at an affordable price. (Just select "Maintenance Fund" in the "Selected Fund" section.)

Development

MCLC communities currently provide quality housing at an affordable price to 27 members. For a two-year old organization, this isn't bad; but there is so much more to do! Development projects we are working on include: buying the Polaris properties that we are currently leasing (roughly $1 million for that); enhancing the Polaris properties to house more members (roughly $200 K); augmenting the Polaris community through acquisition of additional properties; and creating new communities. Donations to the Development Fund help us to achieve these goals!

For Development, donations are fantastic. However, if you want to support this work but can't afford to make a donation, we also offer investment certificates. These are like bonds – you lend us money for a specified period of time (3 years, 5 years, 30 years, etc.) and we pay you interest either annually or at maturity. You receive a financial benefit (an interest rate generally higher than a CD offers) and we receive a financial benefit (development financing at an interest rate lower than a bank mortgage). Right now, CD rates are mostly in the 3 - 4% range; our investment certificates are around 5%. Of course, if you'd prefer a lower interest rate that simply matches what you would have with a CD (but with the extra benefit of supporting affordable housing), we are delighted to provide that! Investment certificates do have more steps than a donation, so if you're interested please send an email to info@michiganclc.coop and we’ll work with you. 

Daytime Warming Center

This is a special project we are doing in collaboration with the Daytime Warming Center (DWC) in Ypsilanti. The DWC wants to acquire a permanent space for providing daytime warming space in the winter and daytime cooling space in the summer. The plan is to fundraise for the next two years, take a year or two to find and buy a building, and then spend a year or two to renovate the space. The collaboration aspect comes in having MCLC own the space (since property management is a substantial part of what we do) and having the DWC operate the space (which is their area of expertise). You can read more about the DWC and the project on this page. Interested in supporting this project? Donate here (funds go to a segregated account for the project)!