for National Metro QLICI of the Year Award

Early Childhood Center Financed by NMTC Provides Transformative Cradle-to-Career Educational Opportunities for Detroit Families 

Cinnaire is pleased to announce its NMTC development, Marygrove Early Education Center, has been selected as honorable mention for the 2022 Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits Metro QLICI of the Year Award. The award program recognizes organizations that have made exceptional qualified low-income community investments (QLICIs) in the past year.

Five mission-drive partners joined forces to fund the $22 million center, the first NMTC project in Detroit focused on early childhood education and development. The Marygrove Early Education Center was financed through a collaborative partnership between Cinnaire, the Kresge Foundation, Northern Trust, Capital Impact, and MBS Urban Initiatives. IFF serves as project developer and the nonprofit Marygrove Conservancy as sponsor/owner.

“The Marygrove Early Education Center delivers high-quality education for Detroit children in a state-of-the-art facility featuring large classrooms and dedicated spaces focused on health and holistic child development,” said Peter Giles, Cinnaire Senior Vice President, Business Development. “The project serves as an anchor for the redevelopment of the neighborhood and is a prime example of how the NMTC provides capital supporting impactful projects for communities that need it most. We are thrilled Novogradac has selected Marygrove as a QLICI honorable mention.”

Located at the Marygrove Conservancy in Northwest Detroit, the Marygrove Early Education Center, established and operated by Starfish, is part of the Marygrove P-20 education model. The P-20 cradle-to-career model is comprised of educational opportunities from prenatal to Pre-K, K-12 to post-secondary graduate, as well as wrap-around services and community engagement programs. Grounded in social justice, equitable opportunity, and commitment to community, the P-20 model provides access to high-quality education and holistic support services to empower students and families to define their own futures and that of their neighborhood.

Built adjacent to the landmark Liberal Arts Building, the 28,000 square-foot building design is centered on three interior courtyards, bringing in natural lighting and connections to the outdoors. A playscape is designed around a grove of oak trees, providing space for children to play and explore in nature. There is also a dedicated space to support the wellbeing of Starfish’s early childhood teachers and staff.