Heidelberg Project holds another fundraiser because of ‘uphill battle’ after fires

When fires ravaged the Heidelberg Project last year, the nonprofit that runs the two-block outdoor art exhibit raised $50,000 to increase security.

Apparently that wasn’t enough.

The Heidelberg Project is raising money again because the new security system “was a huge drain on staff as well as our finances,” Katie Hearn, marketing manager, said in the fundraiser video.

The solar-panel security system with cameras was installed earlier this year, and the nonprofit quickly stopped using a security guard because of the cost. The nonprofit’s handling of the fundraiser incensed some donors.

Tax records show that the Heidelberg Project drained its savings in 2012, when the nonprofit hired an additional three employees even after losing more than half of its annual funding in one year.

“Some people don’t understand how nonprofits work. That’s ok,” Hearn said in the video. “Essentially we don’t have a big backup financial reserve or cushion. We are now faced with a giant uphill battle to recover financially from the fires.”

It’s unclear what the uphill battle is. The Heidelberg Project didn’t respond to questions for this story.

Property records show that the nonprofit owns just four properties inside the project area, and all of those are empty lots. Since 2007, Wayne County seized eight of the nonprofit’s properties in a tax foreclosure.

Investigation: What the Heidelberg Project doesn’t want you to know

All of the art-festooned houses are owned by the city or someone who had abandoned properties. Three properties in the project area, including the iconic Number House, are up for auction because of delinquent taxes.

Widely publicized fires last year destroyed the “House of Soul,” “War House,” “Penny House,” “Obstruction of Justice House” and “Clock House.” In March, someone burned down the signature Party Animal House.

The fires are under investigation by the ATF and Detroit Fire Department.
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  Arson, art, culture, Fires, fundraiser, Heidelberg Project, Tyree Guyton

Steve Neavling

Steve Neavling lives and works in Detroit as an investigative journalist. His stories have uncovered corruption, led to arrests and reforms and prompted FBI investigations.

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