HEIGHTS — Cary Thompson of Dearborn Heights was named director of Corporate and Foundation Partnerships for the Detroit Police Athletic League, a non-profit organization that impacts the lives of children in Detroit.
In this role, Thompson will be responsible for managing all fundraising and development activities to create greater visibility of Detroit PAL in the community, and cultivate philanthropic support that will extend the organization’s mission of building character in young people through athletic, academic and leadership development programs.
With 15 years in fundraising, grant writing and grant management, Thompson has served in key fund development roles for a variety of community development initiatives for police departments, fire departments, cities, government agencies and nonprofits across the country.
As a grant consultant for the Detroit Public Safety Foundation, Thompson was instrumental in helping the Detroit Fire Department secure approximately $96 million in grants, including the two largest Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants that have been awarded in the United States.
“Cary’s dedication to serving community organizations was evident from the start, and we knew he would be an incredible addition to our team,” Detroit PAL CEO Tim Richey said. “As a child, Cary played Detroit PAL baseball in southwest Detroit, so his connection with our organization runs deep. There are so many others that he has been able to help, and we are thrilled that he has now happily returned home to Detroit PAL, where it all began for him.”
Thompson is a 20-year veteran of the Royal Oak Fire Department, where he has attained the rank of acting lieutenant. In addition to founding several of the department’s community involvement programs, including the Royal Oak Firefighters’ Safety Town, he also teaches at the Eastern Michigan University Fire Staff & Command School.
Thompson is a 1991 graduate of Life Chiropractic College (Marietta, Ga.) where he earned a degree of Doctor of Chiropractic. He is also a 2016 graduate of EMU, where he earned certification in Fire Staff & Command (Class 18).