24 | APRIL 1 • 2021 

D

an and Jennifer Gilbert announced a 
pledge of $500 million to aid citizens 
of Detroit over the next 10 years at 
a press conference March 25. The Gilbert 
Family Foundation will contrib-
ute $350 million, and the Rocket 
Community Fund will invest 
$150 million.
The first allocation of $15 
million will pay off the property 
tax debt of 20,000 low-income 
Detroit homeowners. In doing 
so, the Foundation will assist in 
preserving an estimated $400 
million in wealth and home equi-
ty in Detroit.
The investment will establish 
the Detroit Tax Relief Fund to 
be administered by Detroit non-
profit Wayne Metro Community 
Action Agency, which will pay the remaining 
delinquent tax burden on behalf of program- 
eligible residents.
Along with Dan and Jennifer Gilbert, 
Rocket Companies CEO Jay Farner, Rocket 
Community Fund Vice President Laura 
Grannemann, Gilbert Family Foundation 
Executive Director Joyce Keller, Detroit Mayor 

Mike Duggan and Wayne County Executive 
Warren Evans were on hand to announce the 
good news.

A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM
Rocket Companies Chairman Dan Gilbert 
has been a proponent of addressing housing 
stability since chairing the Detroit Blight 
Removal Tax Force in 2013. It was then he 
realized one of the main causes of blight is 
home foreclosure.
“This unparalleled commitment builds off 
of the work we have done over the past several 
years and scales it in a way that will allow us 
to continue addressing issues that have been 
facing Detroiters for generations alongside the 
Gilbert Family Foundation,
” Grannemann of 
Rocket Community Fund said. 
During the Rocket Community Fund’s 2019 
citywide canvas of tax delinquent properties 
through Neighbor to Neighbor — a door-to-
door effort — the organization discovered 
nearly 90% of Detroit homeowners behind 
on their property taxes should have been able 
to qualify for relief but were not aware of the 
programs available to them or were unsure of 
how to apply. 
According to Gilbert, much of the back 

property taxes owed came from penalties and 
interest, leaving homeowners in a cycle of 
debt and uncertainty about their ability to stay 
in their homes. “The problem was systemic 
and generational,
” he said. 
“Everyone deserves to achieve the 
American dream of homeownership, and that 
includes the ability to sustainably and perma-
nently enjoy the home you make for yourself, 
your family and your loved ones,
” said Gilbert, 
who added that home ownership is the main 
way most Americans build wealth and eco-
nomic mobility.

‘BIGGER SOLUTIONS’
Over the course of 2020, Gilbert Family 
Foundation cofounder Jennifer Gilbert held 
focus groups with Detroit leaders and resi-
dents to better understand the challenges they 
face. Two themes emerged: Detroiters are 
resilient, and Detroiters need greater access to 
opportunity. 
 “Big problems require even bigger solutions 
that address the symptoms as well as the sys-
tems that have contributed to the challenges 
Detroit continues to face,
” Jennifer Gilbert 
said. “We look forward to working with 
existing and future partners to drive systemic 
change in Detroit.
”
The Gilberts stressed the important role 
played by their employees, whose work result-
ed in the ability to redistribute wealth to make 
an impact on the lives of others — a mission 
of Rocket Companies. 
When asked why now for announcing the 
program, the Gilberts said that they were con-
fident the necessary partnerships, policies and 
programs were in place to make the program 
a success. 
Following the first initiative, Jennifer 
Gilbert said the Gilbert Family Foundation 
plans to remain connected to the homeown-
ers supported through the Detroit Tax Relief 
Fund to help shape future investments in eco-
nomic opportunity and mobility. 
Further investments will be focused on 
their community priorities and may include 
digital equity, home repair needs, employment 
opportunities and other areas. 
The Gilbert Family Foundation also 
remains committed to supporting efforts to 
cure neurofibromatosis, a nervous system 
disorder.
“The greatest resource of any community 
is its people, and we are honored to be able to 
invest in removing this tax burden, which will 
build a stronger foundation for Detroit fami-
lies to thrive,
” Dan Gilbert said. 

Gilbert Family Foundation, Rocket Community Fund 
announce $500 million commitment to Detroit.

A Gift to Detroit Citizens

Dan Gilbert

JN STAFF

Jennifer 
Gilbert

OUR COMMUNITY

Volunteers from Rocket 
Companies went door to door 
to canvas for homeowners 
delinquent on their taxes.

ROCKET COMPANIES

