Development

IFF serves as a real estate developer to launch community-driven projects. At the end of 2020, we had 18 projects under development, representing 442,000 square feet and $179 million in value. But we aren’t driven by size and value — it’s the why and how we do this work that matter most.

We work closely with community development partners to identify gaps where impactful projects would not happen through traditional development avenues. This is where we use our strength and creativity to bring to life development projects that bring new resources to the communities we serve. Our expertise in planning, team building, and capital resources allows us to make challenging projects possible – in and for the communities we serve.

Equitable Community Development Principles

Engage in visioning and implementation with community residents and stakeholders

Build and preserve local community assets and wealth

Advance development guided by an inclusive community vision

Ensure that equitable community development addresses the social determinants of health beyond affordable housing and economic development

Bridge growth and equitable opportunity with a long-term commitment, or resources and time, with community partners

Our Projects

Beginning with our supportive housing practice Home First in 2010, IFF’s Development team has grown to be a leader in many sectors — including schools, early childhood education, food system facilities, and comprehensive community planning. Use the tool below to explore our projects.

  • Community Facilities
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Housing
  • K-12 Education

    • Expected Completion: Fall 2021

    Image of groundbreaking ceremony at Marygrove College

    Marygrove Early Childhood Education Center

    IFF is the developer on the 28,000-square-foot, $22-million state-of-the-art exemplar center under construction on the Marygrove campus in Northwest Detroit as part of the P20 partnership with Starfish Family Services, Marygrove Conservancy, Detroit Public Schools Community District, and the University of Michigan.  The center will directly serve 144 children and function as an important programmatic hub for providers in the neighborhood.

    Under Development

    Children of the Rising Sun Empowerment Center - Detroit, MI

    IFF is developing and acting as interim owner for fully functional early childhood education prototype centers. The centers will be cost effective, universally designed, exemplify high-quality ECE design, engage communities through an equitable process, cultivate quality improvements within the existing ECE ecosystem, and demonstrate sustainable, replicable growth to any provider throughout Michigan. CRS is IFF’s partner for the development of a new facility on Detroit’s east side.

    Under Development

    Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative - Grand Rapids, MI

    IFF is developing a permanent home for ELNC’s early childhood education program as part of a Purpose Built Community in Grand Rapids (Amplify GR).  IFF will own the ECE center for an interim period then transfer ownership to the operator.

    Under Development

    Trinity Health / St. Mary's Hospital ECE - Detroit, MI

    Trinity/St. Mary’s has funded IFF’s comprehensive and cross functional process to create a plan for the development of a new construction early childhood education center, with possible complementary programming, as part of a health focused campus on the west side of Detroit.  The center will be adjacent to a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), dental clinic, Boys and Girls Club, and affordable housing.