Detroit Action is the advocacy arm of the Detroit Action network, a left-of-center community organizing and activist group that pushes for left-of-center economic policy through education, activism, and voting drives in the Detroit area through three different legal entities. It is not an independent nonprofit, but rather exists as a fiscally sponsored project of the left-of-center Tides Advocacy. ^{1 2 3}

Founding and History

While the Detroit Action group existed in some form previously, it was relaunched in 2019 with assistance from the left-of-center Center for Popular Democracy, a national group that works with left-of-center organizations on the state level to advance left-of-center social and economic policies. ⁴

Finances

Detroit Action is a fiscally sponsored project of Tides Advocacy.  This means that while the group operates independently, it does not have its own tax-exempt status. Its funds are collected and administered by Tides Advocacy, which provides a suite of administrative services. As a result, there are no public tax filings detailing the revenue and expenses of Detroit Action. ^{5 6}

Policies and Projects

Detroit Action is the 501(c)(4) arm of the Detroit Action group and can engage in direct lobbying activities. ⁷

Candidate Endorsement Process

In 2021 Detroit Action had a process for securing the organization’s endorsement for political office. As of August 2022, the criteria to secure such an endorsement were no longer available, and the organization does not have criteria or forms posted for securing an endorsement in the 2022 election cycle. ⁸

Positions

Detroit Action has promoted defunding the Detroit Police, issued harsh condemnations of the Supreme Court overruling Roe vs. Wade, and has stated that other “far right” Supreme Court rulings related to the environment are manifestations of environmental racism. In response to these rulings, Detroit Action has called for sweeping legislation on the national level to promote investment in what it terms “climate, care, jobs, and justice.” ^{9 10 11}

Partner Organizations

Detroit Action Education Fund and Michigan Action

Detroit Action Education Fund and Michigan Action are the 501(c)(3) (via the Tides Center) and Super PAC partners of Detroit Action, which is the 501(c)(4) arm of the group (via Tides Advocacy). ¹²

Center for Popular Democracy

The Detroit Action group of organizations is affiliated with the Center for Popular Democracy. This national group is focused on advancing left-of-center social and economic policies and works with state level groups. This group helped to re-launch the Detroit Action group in 2019. ¹³

Leadership

Jennifer Disla is the co-executive director of the Detroit Action group of organizations, including Detroit Action itself. She has been involved in left-of-center activism and organizing since 2008. Her bio states that she believes in “Black Liberation” and fighting white supremacy. ¹⁴

Branden Snyder is the co-executive director of the Detroit Action group of organizations, including Detroit Action itself. He has been involved in left-of-center activism and organizing for over ten years and in 2016 was the deputy organizing director for youth voting in the Hillary for Michigan campaign. ¹⁵

1. “Donate.” Detroit Action. Accessed July 31, 2022. https://detroitaction.org/donate/.
2. “Programs.” Detroit Action. Accessed July 31, 2022. https://detroitaction.org/programs/.
3. “Detroit Action Education Fund, a Project of Tides Center — Donate via AB Charities.” ActBlue. Accessed July 31, 2022. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/daef.
4. “Detroit Action, a Project of Tides Advocacy.” Idealist. Accessed July 31, 2022. https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit/ed6f046cc21b47edbbd45a58d699f884-detroit-action-a-project-of-tides-advovacy-detroit.
5. Detroit Action, a Project of Tides Advocacy — Donate via ActBlue.” ActBlue. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/detaction.
6. “Start A Project.” Tides Advocacy. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://tidesadvocacy.org/services/project/.
7. “Programs.” Detroit Action. Accessed July 31, 2022. https://detroitaction.org/programs/.
8.  Williams, Kenneth. “2021 Candidate Endorsement Process.” Detroit Action, May 18, 2021. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://detroitaction.org/2021-candidate-endorsement-process/.
9. Action, Detroit. “‘A Stain on the Court’s Legacy.’” Medium. Medium, June 25, 2022. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://detroitaction.medium.com/a-stain-on-the-courts-legacy-a04618214755.
10. Action, Detroit. “Detroit Action Responds to SCOTUS Dismantling Decades of Health, Environmental, and Climate Justice….” Medium. Medium, June 30, 2022. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://detroitaction.medium.com/detroit-action-responds-to-scotus-dismantling-decades-of-health-environmental-and-climate-justice-cd3587ce8a12.
11. “Deadline Detroit: What Defunding Police Could Look Like In Detroit.” Detroit Action, June 23, 2020. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://detroitaction.org/deadline-detroit-what-defunding-police-could-look-like-in-detroit/.
12. “Donate.” Detroit Action. Accessed July 31, 2022. https://detroitaction.org/donate/.
13. “Detroit Action, a Project of Tides Advocacy.” Idealist. Accessed July 31, 2022. https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit/ed6f046cc21b47edbbd45a58d699f884-detroit-action-a-project-of-tides-advovacy-detroit.
14. “Staff & Board.” Detroit Action. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://detroitaction.org/staff-and-board/.
15. “Staff & Board.” Detroit Action. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://detroitaction.org/staff-and-board/.