Beyond the Warren Buffet Fathead: Dan Gilbert's Vision of Giving Back

The Warren Buffett Fathead (only $29.99!) may have had the spotlight last week in light of the NCAA bracket challenge from Quicken Loans and Yahoo Sports, but it is just the tip of Dan Gilbert's “giving back” iceberg.

He's joined “Giving Pledge”, committing the majority of his wealth to philanthropy and on the Board of Director's of the Children's Tumor Foundation. From posters of epic sports moments to his son's t-shirt designs in 2011, Gilbert's giving doesn't stop at individual charities - it reaches out towards an entire community. His home community that is.

Many saw and continue to see Detroit as a sinking ship - Gilbert is the exception. Born and raised in the metro Detroit area allowed him to grow up on the stories of the former grandeur of Detroit - from the gallas the Masonic Temple once hosted to animation of the Packard automotive plant.

Fortunately, Gilbert's legacy and that of 21st century Detroit could go hand in hand. Since Quicken Loans' relocation from the suburb to downtown Detroit in 2010, Gilbert, its founder, funded more than $300 million worth in renovations of nine office buildings.

Gilbert ensured that Quicken loans was a pioneer in the construction of the M-1 Rail in 2009, purchased seven buildings in 2011, a 26-story one in 2012, a 23-story one in 2013 and multiple others.

All his building, all his lots - almost always fully occupied. With 30 buildings, or 7.6 million square feet, that his companies either own or run, Gilbert has been able to hire roughly 7,500 employees to assist him in his vision.

He's building an urban core from the ground up. For Gilbert's movement to keep gaining momentum, the bright minds of today and the visionaries of tomorrow must join in.

With so much talent bottled up within Michigan's universities, Detroit just needs to provide innovative opportunities to tap into this potential. The key - an urban core where people want to spend time, in which people want to invest, in which people believe.

As a principal of Detroit Venture Partners, Gilbert jumpstarts the growth of start-up technology companies in Detroit. DVP's portfolio currently includes app developer Detroit Labs and cloud software company iRule, along with 16 other tech start-up or early stage companies.

Additionally, Rock Ventures, the Gilbert's umbrella company now encompasses more than 40 tech-start ups in the heart of the D. As saturations of markets like Silicon Valley hit record highs, places like Detroit could offer the next best fertile ground.

Next on Gilbert's revival agenda are improvements in Detroit's riverfront as well as the development of a light rail system. For instance, he foresees Grand Circus with lawn games, food vendors, beach volleyball and any/every other attraction needed for a summer in the city. Many of these enhancement may be rolling out summer 2014.

While Gilbert's push for a Papa Joe's in Cadillac Square goes up in the air, the one in RenCen is still continuing on as planned. The notion of an open-air food marketplace and sidewalk cafes reflects yet again the urban core than megapolis' like New York and Chicago so effortlessly showcase.

Most say bankruptcy is the end, but Gilbert believes it could be a necessary evil for a clean beginning.

In the meantime you might sight him at a town hall meeting, read one of his tweets, finally purchase that Fathead or take advantage of the rejuvenated space he has already created through brands like “Opportunity Detroit”.

Gilbert's own footprint isn't just physical landmarks or capital raised - it's the contagious innovative spirit and energy his vision perpetuates. Revitalization, innovation, and growth are replacing the more common synonyms (barren, broken and beaten) for Detroit's future, as legendary entrepreneurs like Gilbert take one Detroit.