Family Offices in Detroit

Ballmer Group is a philanthropic organization and family office co-founded by Steve and Connie Ballmer, dedicated to improving economic mobility for children and families across the United States. The firm operates at the intersection of philanthropy, policy, and technology, providing funding and support to non-profits and public sector organizations. Their approach involves both direct services that strengthen communities in the present and systems-level interventions designed to transform opportunities long-term, with a strong focus on advancing racial equity and addressing systemic inequities.The organization was established in 2015 by Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft, and his wife Connie Ballmer, a long-time advocate for children and education. Their founding was driven by a shared commitment to understanding and addressing the root causes of poverty and ensuring that every child has an equal chance to achieve economic mobility. The Ballmer Group emphasizes flexible, multi-year, and often unrestricted funding, coupled with rigorous data-based due diligence to support effective and scalable solutions.Ballmer Group's investment and grantmaking activities span multiple critical areas impacting economic mobility. These include early learning, K-12 education, college and career pathways, housing, behavioral health, and criminal justice reform. Notable commitments include significant investments in affordable housing funds like Avanath Capital's Affordable Housing Renaissance Fund and The Vistria Group's Vistria Housing Fund, substantial grants to organizations like Communities In Schools to expand student support, and a major donation to the University of Oregon to establish the Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health. They also support initiatives focused on improving data and technology infrastructure for human services.The team at Ballmer Group comprises practitioners with deep knowledge and experience in their impact areas. Key leadership includes Co-Founders Steve and Connie Ballmer, CEO Terri Ludwig, and other executives overseeing philanthropy, operations, finance, and national investments. The firm maintains a national focus with deep regional investments and a physical presence in key areas such as Washington state, Los Angeles County, and Southeast Michigan, reflecting a comprehensive strategy to drive systemic change.

ROCK Family Office, formerly known as Rock Ventures, is the family office established by Dan Gilbert to manage and integrate a vast portfolio of over 100 companies, investments, and initiatives. The firm operates with a "For More Than Profit" philosophy, prioritizing positive community impact alongside financial returns. Their diverse holdings span various sectors, including financial technology, real estate development, sports, entertainment, and philanthropy, with a strong focus on revitalizing and investing in their hometowns of Detroit and Cleveland.The origins of ROCK Family Office trace back to Dan Gilbert's founding of Rocket Mortgage in 1985. Building on the success of this venture, Gilbert launched Rock Ventures in 2007 as an umbrella entity to coordinate his expanding business interests. This strategic move allowed for new investments, mergers, acquisitions, and incubation of companies, all connected by the overarching vision of the Gilbert Family Office. In 2023, Rock Ventures rebranded to ROCK, further solidifying its identity as the central hub for the Gilbert family's extensive enterprise.The firm's notable investments and portfolio companies include industry leaders such as Rocket Mortgage, one of the largest mortgage lenders globally, and StockX, an innovative e-commerce platform for trading limited-edition goods. ROCK also holds significant interests in sports and entertainment, including the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, and has a substantial real estate portfolio through Bedrock, which has invested billions in redeveloping properties in Detroit and Cleveland. Through its various entities, ROCK Family Office actively engages in community development, startup incubation, and philanthropic endeavors, committing substantial capital and volunteer hours to initiatives focused on economic mobility, housing stability, and arts & culture.The team at ROCK Family Office leverages extensive expertise across a multitude of industries, reflecting the diverse nature of its portfolio. With a global team of over 20,000 members across its Family of Companies, the firm brings together professionals with backgrounds in finance, technology, real estate, sports management, and community development. This collective knowledge and experience enable ROCK to provide strategic guidance, foster innovation, and drive growth across its wide array of businesses and philanthropic initiatives, all while adhering to its core mission of creating a positive societal impact.