Charity Navigator Logo
    Sign in/Create an account Profile Favorite Charities Donation History Recurring Donations Sign Out Nonprofit Resources Support Charity Navigator
    Charity Navigator Logo

    Error attempting donation

    You're too fast!

    Your donation attempt encountered a problem. Please refresh the page to try again.

    You're faster than our page! Give the page a little longer to finish loading and try your donation again.

    Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Inc.

    Mission

    THE DETROIT RIVERFRONT CONSERVANCY (DRFC), IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, IMPROVEMENT, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, SECURITY, PROGRAMMING AND EXPANSION OF THE DETROIT RIVERWALK AND ASSOCIATED GREEN SPACES. THROUGH ITS PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, THE DRFC WILL SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RIVERFRONT DISTRICT AND FACILITATE COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE WATERFRONT. THE DRFC WILL:- DEVELOP A COLLECTIVE SENSE OF OWNERSHIP, ACCESSIBILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY- ENHANCE DETROIT'S IMAGE TO EMPHASIZE ITS ICONIC, INTERNATIONAL RIVERFRONT- CREATE AND MAINTAIN AN INVITING DESTINATION FOR ALL

    Proceed with Increased Caution — Confirmed Embezzlement

    On November 16, 2024, CBS News reported on a material diversion of assets confirmed to have taken place at Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Inc. in an article titled, "Former Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CFO pleads guilty in $40M embezzlement scheme." For more information regarding this matter, please see CBS News article.

    • On June 5, 2024, ABC News published an article titled "Key figure at Detroit riverfront nonprofit charged with embezzling millions." For more information, please see ABC News article
    • On October 29, 2024, The Detroit News published an article titled "Ex-Detroit Riverfront CFO William Smith gets new date to plead guilty in $44M fraud case." For more information, please see The Detroit News article
    • On February 26, 2025, The Detroit News published an article titled "Prison sentencing delayed for corrupt ex-Detroit Riverfront CFO William Smith." For more information, please see The Detroit News article
    • On May 14, 2025, The Detroit News published an article titled "Corrupt former Detroit Riverfront CFO William Smith to appeal despite deal with feds." For more information, please see The Detroit News article

    For more information about our alerts methodology, see here.

    DETROIT MI | EIN: 30-0125283
    Is this your nonprofit?
    This charity has not opted into the donation platform. Donations via the Giving Basket will still reach the charity.
    501(c)(3) organization
    600 REN CTR STE 1720,
    DETROIT MI 48243-0000
    https://WWW.DETROITRIVERFRONT.ORG
    313-566-8200

    Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Inc.

    Mission

    THE DETROIT RIVERFRONT CONSERVANCY (DRFC), IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, IMPROVEMENT, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, SECURITY, PROGRAMMING AND EXPANSION OF THE DETROIT RIVERWALK AND ASSOCIATED GREEN SPACES. THROUGH ITS PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, THE DRFC WILL SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RIVERFRONT DISTRICT AND FACILITATE COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE WATERFRONT. THE DRFC WILL:- DEVELOP A COLLECTIVE SENSE OF OWNERSHIP, ACCESSIBILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY- ENHANCE DETROIT'S IMAGE TO EMPHASIZE ITS ICONIC, INTERNATIONAL RIVERFRONT- CREATE AND MAINTAIN AN INVITING DESTINATION FOR ALL

    Proceed with Increased Caution — Confirmed Embezzlement

    On November 16, 2024, CBS News reported on a material diversion of assets confirmed to have taken place at Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Inc. in an article titled, "Former Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CFO pleads guilty in $40M embezzlement scheme." For more information regarding this matter, please see CBS News article.

    • On June 5, 2024, ABC News published an article titled "Key figure at Detroit riverfront nonprofit charged with embezzling millions." For more information, please see ABC News article
    • On October 29, 2024, The Detroit News published an article titled "Ex-Detroit Riverfront CFO William Smith gets new date to plead guilty in $44M fraud case." For more information, please see The Detroit News article
    • On February 26, 2025, The Detroit News published an article titled "Prison sentencing delayed for corrupt ex-Detroit Riverfront CFO William Smith." For more information, please see The Detroit News article
    • On May 14, 2025, The Detroit News published an article titled "Corrupt former Detroit Riverfront CFO William Smith to appeal despite deal with feds." For more information, please see The Detroit News article

    For more information about our alerts methodology, see here.

    DETROIT MI | EIN: 30-0125283
    Is this your nonprofit?
    This charity has not opted into the donation platform. Donations via the Giving Basket will still reach the charity.
    501(c)(3) organization
    600 REN CTR STE 1720,
    DETROIT MI 48243-0000
    https://WWW.DETROITRIVERFRONT.ORG
    313-566-8200

    Beacon Report

    • Great
    • Good
    • Needs Improvement
    • Poor
    • Not Scored
    • Additional Information
    Accountability Panel
    ScoreMetric
    100%
    Website Reported on Tax Form:Yes
    0%
    No Material Diversion of Assets:No
    0%
    Financial Statements:No
    100%
    Audit Oversight Committee:Yes
    100%
    No Loans Reported To or From Officers:Yes
    100%
    Records Retention Policy:Yes
    0%
    Tax Form Disclosed on Website:No
    Science behind the numbers(opens in new tab)