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Ryan Friedrichs: Detroit’s Philanthropy Point Man

By  Eden Stiffman
January 5, 2016
40 Under 40: Ryan Friedrichs, Detroit’s Philanthropy Point Man 1
Benjamin Weatherston

Ryan Friedrichs, 38
Chief Development Officer
City of Detroit

When Ryan Friedrichs returned from a tour in the Army in 2014, his goal was to be “as useful as possible in Detroit’s next few years of revitalization and its future.”

40 Under 40: A Force for Good

See profiles of other trailblazers crafting innovative new solutions to entrenched problems.

The city had recently emerged from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, after foundations pledged about $370 million over 20 years to protect the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts and help pay the pensions of retired city employees.

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Ryan Friedrichs, 38
Chief Development Officer
City of Detroit

When Ryan Friedrichs returned from a tour in the Army in 2014, his goal was to be “as useful as possible in Detroit’s next few years of revitalization and its future.”

40 Under 40: A Force for Good

See profiles of other trailblazers crafting innovative new solutions to entrenched problems.

The city had recently emerged from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, after foundations pledged about $370 million over 20 years to protect the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts and help pay the pensions of retired city employees.

A Michigan native, Mr. Friedrichs had developed strong relationships with grant makers while leading three civic-engagement groups: Michigan Voice; its parent, State Voices; and the Youth Vote Coalition. So when Detroit’s mayor reinstated the position of chief development officer, Mr. Friedrichs was a natural fit for the job. Today he serves as the liaison between city departments and foundations, working to attract investment in local programs and find new ways to work with grant makers.

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“Decades of challenges still have to be tackled,” he says. “Helping to build bridges is hopefully an added value I can really deliver on.”

A version of this article appeared in the January 5, 2016, issue.
We welcome your thoughts and questions about this article. Please email the editors or submit a letter for publication.
Executive LeadershipFoundation GivingAdvocacy
Eden Stiffman
Eden Stiffman is a Chronicle senior writer.
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SPONSORED, GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

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