Renaissance is a 501(c)(3) organization that was formed in 1970 by the region’s distinguished business leaders including Henry Ford II, Max M. Fisher and A. Alfred Taubman. It is a private, non-profit organization which brings the business community’s leadership and resources together to encourage and facilitate the physical and economic revitalization of Detroit and Southeast Michigan.

The major thrust of Detroit Renaissance programs in the 1970’s was to stimulate building activity in Detroit. The result of these efforts was the creation of one of the largest privately financed real estate projects in history, the Renaissance Center, in addition to a variety of construction and renovation projects in the downtown area.

The organization placed specific emphasis on "quality of life" issues beginning in the late 1970’s. In 1979, Detroit Renaissance created a special events department to provide professional management and continuity for community events managed by the private sector in Detroit. For many years, the organization sponsored events of national prominence such as the International Freedom Festival, the Montreux Detroit Jazz Festival and the Detroit Grand Prix.

In the 1990’s, Detroit Renaissance focused its resources on activities that were of strategic importance to the city and region. Events were transferred to other organizations, and Detroit Renaissance focused on economic and physical development in downtown Detroit. The organization also focused on policy issues as they impacted economic development such as brownfield redevelopment and civic issues such as education reform and cultural funding.

In 2005 Detroit Renaissance renewed its original mission of focusing on accelerating economic growth both in Detroit and the region.