John Hale
Executive Director of Development
Responsible for divisional development strategy
Metro Detroit Area Command, DFB, MPC development representative
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This is your guide to marketing, communications and philanthropy within the Great Lakes Division.
John Hale
Executive Director of Development
Responsible for divisional development strategy
Metro Detroit Area Command, DFB, MPC development representative
Jeremy Monteith
Senior Director of Development
Liaison to corps development directors
Responsible for capital campaigns
Mid-Michigan and Grand Valley Area, Commands and Advisory Organizations
Andrea Kenski
Communications & PR Supervisor
Provides leadership and oversight on division-wide internal and external communications and public relations
Terri Butler
Senior Director of Philanthropy
Provides leadership and oversight of divisional development and philanthropy including: Planned Giving, Major Gifts, Corporations, Foundations, Grants, and Mid-Level Giving
Anthony B. Mottley
Divisional Website & Content Creator
Stories, SEO Strategy, Zesty Assistance, Website coaching
Becca Ruggerio
Divisional Digital Marketing Specialist
Classy forms, Text-to-Give, Peer-to-peer
Merri Bennett
Divisional Public Relations Coordinator
Public relations, Web support, Social support, Blog support
Susan Szczurek
Creative Services
Graphic Design, Photography, Digital Media, Videography
Claire Randall
Divisional Volunteer
Christmas Coordinator, Christmas Red Kettle Campaigns/Kettles, Register to Ring liaison, Better Impact
Barb Pilat
Divisional Special Events Coordinator
248-443-550 ext 240
Metro Detroit Events Lead, Divisional Corps Events Liaison
Mandy Ruggerio
Data Entry/Background Check Coordinator, Foundations Relations
248-443-550 ext 227
Volunteer background screens, Salesforce/Tableau questions, Thank You Letters, Memorials/Honorariums
Natalya Povolotskiy
Divisional Grant Writer
248-227-1557
Emily Weiss
Donor Relations Director
248-443-5500 ext 236
Corps Coverage Areas for Major & Planned Gifts
To better serve you and your community in need, DHQ is working to streamline the grant application process. Our goal is to create a system that is as seamless as possible. For example, within the past few weeks, several corps have contacted DHQ staff about two State of MI grant opportunities for non-profits - $15 million and $35 million.
DHQ Development and Social Services staff reviewed the guidelines, participated in grant webinars about these opportunities, and learned that <strong>no agency could receive more than one grant from the state of MI.</strong> The difference between the two grant opportunities was staggering – a maximum of $25,000 versus $2 million per grant per agency.
Please note: The proposed process is subject to change as we work to make this efficient with productive outcomes:
To better serve you and your community in need, DHQ is working to streamline the grant application process. Our goal is to create a system that is as seamless as possible.
Please note: The proposed process is subject to change as we work to make this efficient with productive outcomes:
United Way and grants requiring a signature need to be routed through TSAMM with enough time to go through DFB. Please upload this into TSAMM as a GR1 – Grant Application as the item, but select Development and not Social Services for the assigned. This will allow Development Staff to review. Upon review by Development Staff, Development sends it to the Social Services team to handle the contract portion. It will need to have the fully completed Face Sheet as well. Ultimately it will end up on the Social Service agenda with Gariann Brock and Tim Beimers for ease of communicating contracts with THQ.
While the above is very detailed and may seem time-consuming, once established, it will be efficient and allow us to strengthen relationships and look for additional resource opportunities for you to serve others. This process will also save time in your busy schedules. Information shared will be templated to remain consistent in all grant opportunities and applications.
Upcoming Events:
Estate Planning Seminar: Thursday, October 22, 2025, at the Venetian Club, starts at 8 a.m. Register Now
Stock letters have been handled by the Philanthropy team. We are currently revamping and updating this process. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Terri Butler.
When white mail checks are received at your corps, they are to be scanned on the Smart Source Adaptive Scanner or Panini scanner. With this new process in place, no donations should be locally deposited. The scanners are used for white mail and the occasional direct mail remit that is mailed to the corps. The scanners are quick and efficient, and the donation will be in the bank within 24 hours of scanning, in Salesforce quicker, which results in quicker thank you letters.
A report will be pulled from THQ that gives DHQ an up-to-date account of corps scanning batches. Corps that have not scanned their donation checks to CDS Global will be asked to comply immediately with the batching process to ensure timely thank you letters, reporting, and depositing of funds into the corps' account. Direct Mail and White Mail instructions can be found here.
If you have any questions, please contact Christina Holman and copy John Hale.
Tithing
Beginning on 10/1/2024 TFC approved Salesforce as the system for recording tithing. The following changes went into effect for tithing:
We have attached a fact sheet and workflow diagrams for the tithe recording process. To alleviate some of the concerns that have been expressed, we can assure you that tithes will be excluded from the following:
Specific Brand and Style Standards
2024 Kent County Annual Report
2024 Metro Detroit Annual Report
2024 - 2025 Metro Detroit Impact Report
2025 Metro Detroit Impact Report
Every Corps has a branded QR Code that links to their local website. All QR codes can be found here.
You are welcome to borrow divisional signage and other items to support your local special event. Fill out the Banner Request Form. Your order will be confirmed via email. You are responsible for returning items within the timeframe you requested.
Please fill out the form below. It will go to Greenman's printing company. Greenman's printing will send a proof to whoever fills out the form. You will review and approve the business card. The cards will be mailed to the address on the form, and the bill goes to you.
https://salmich.wufoo.com/forms/business-cards/
Division-Wide Marketing Vendors
The territorial policy on letterhead can be found in this link.
Divisional Headquarters Letterhead
The General, Territorial Commander, and Divisional Commander must appear on all letterhead. Wherever possible, we would like letterhead conformity within the division, with the differentiation being with corps officer/corps administrator names, address, etc. You can find the Divisional Headquarters Template at this link.
Corps and Institutions Letterhead
The General, Territorial Commander, and Divisional Commander must appear on all letterhead. Wherever possible, we would like letterhead conformity within the division, with the differentiation being with corps officer/corps administrator names listed under the local address, city, state, zip code, and website. You can find the corps and institutions template in O:\Forms and Templates\Letterhead
The Great Lakes Divisional integrated digital marketing team is always looking for new ways to generate revenue through storytelling, creative content creation, social media strategy, and paid search and digital advertising. Our goal is to support the division with digital fundraising by developing branded content across multiple platforms on a regular basis so that the local corps community centers can do what they do best – minister to their communities. Listed below are the initiatives the divisional integrated digital marketing team is executing to help raise funds and awareness in your community.
The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division’s organic social media strategy has evolved over the years to adhere to shifting algorithms, changing audience behaviors, and, ultimately, remaining in alignment with other marketing and communication goals. The Internal DHQ Marketing & Communications team will manage the division’s organic social media, including:
Since launching in October 2021, the Divisional Corps Community Center Facebook program has supported brand consistency across the entire Great Lakes Division. Not only does this program help keep the corps community center Facebook pages active and engaging throughout the month, but it also expands the reach of division-wide brand awareness, donation, and volunteer campaigns. Corps Facebook Program includes:
Having a divisional digital advertising strategy allows for the flexibility needed to accommodate our evolving, division-wide goals to determine the most efficient and effective approach aligned across the state - including these services:
To support The Salvation Army’s efforts to engage staff and board members and strengthen internal and external advocacy, we implemented a formal social media advocacy program using GaggleAMP. This is a cost-effective tool that streamlines advocates’ ability to amplify organizational content and share unique posts that are pre-drafted for our supporters. This program will supplement social media toolkits created for major campaigns, where unique messages and creative can be used for various groups including board members, campaign chairpersons, internal staff and more –where they can share and schedule posts with the click of a button. While GaggleAMP supports integrations with a variety of platforms, we currently focus on LinkedIn.
Vendor: GaggleAMP
To subscribe to receive territorial emails (deployed to all GLD and central territory subscribers through our email vendor Merkle) click here and enter your contact information.
To stay on the email list, you will want to engage with any emails that you receive from The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division or michigan@email-salvationarmymidwest.org. This means opening all emails and clicking on the content within it. Because we only send emails to our engaged audience, there is a chance you may stop receiving them if you do not interact with the material.
How to request an email to go to local stakeholders
THQ Emails to Donors
AdHoc Emails from DHQ (How to request an email to go to local stakeholders)
Full email policy can be found in Section 32 - Information Technology, Minute #10, Part #1, 11/1/2011, Revision Date 7/27/2021
Required:
Name
Rank
Title/Appointment
Address
Telephone Number(s)
Salvation Army Web Address
Example:
NAME
Rank or Title
The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division
Corps Appointment Name
Address
City, MI Zip
p: 123-123-1234 x 123 c: 123-123-1234
SAwebsite.org
Divisional Social Media How To Guide
(will require sign in with your Salvation Army email.)
Territorial Social Media Policy
GLD Online Policies and Procedures
NHQ Social Media and Digital Communications Policies
Divisional EDS Social Media Strategy
Repository of Social Media Responses
Classy Exceptions Form: All donation links promoted by divisions and local units should point to the Classy platform for donation processing. If a division or local unit needs to utilize an external platform to raise funds digitally for any reason, special approval is required before an account is created.
** Please do not create any new public, externally facing social media page without contacting DHQ for support. Contact Christina Holman at Christina.holman@usc.salvationarmy.org.
If you would like to disable email notifications to the email you use for Facebook follow these instructions:
One thing to note is that this cannot be turned off by admin, if it is turned off, it turns it off for the entire page.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatlakesdivision
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/salmich
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salmich1/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-salvation-army-great-lakes-division
Flickr: flickr.com/photos/salmich/
The new Zesty website platform has launched.
Training will be available to the field in the coming weeks.
See more info in the following documents:
Divisional Website: SAgreatlakes.org (https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/greatlakes)
From stock photos to assets for upcoming events, redshieldtoolkit.org is a fantastic resource. LERMA regularly uploads new content to the site. You will find essential information and assets on the site for Red Kettle Season/Christmas and for annual events, such as Stuff the Bus. You must log into the site to view its contents.
How to download pictures from Red Shield Toolkit and upload them to your Social Media pages
Officers and staff of The Salvation Army USA can use their Office 365 email address and password to log on the RSTK. Be sure to select the correct territory upon logging in. If you need support with your Office 365 credentials, you can always contact your local IT departments. If you are a user outside of The Salvation Army USA, you will need to select the “Other” tab upon logging in, and then set up an account. New “Other” accounts will require approval and by the RSTK administrator. To check the status of your account application or request account support, email the RSTK administrator at redshieldtoolkit@usn.salvationarmy.org.
Divisional Phone number: 877-SAL-MICH
Website training coming soon.
National Media Relations Policy
Non-Metro Detroit Press Release Template
Media Relations Processes:
Please use this link to watch the step-by-step training video on how to request space outside Walmart: here. Please monitor for updates from @Claire Randall on this process.
Give With Joy Christmas Webpage
The Red Kettle Playbook is constantly updated. Please check back often.
2025 Red Kettle Christmas Season
Kettle Sign Information – The link below allows you to place an order through DHQ and customize for your corps.
Swap out the link with this Wufoo link:
https://salmich.wufoo.com/forms/z1fn0lq1vdwp6l/

Find the 2025 Kettle Agreements
Watch the 2025 Divisional Red Kettle Christmas Marketing Meeting
Find the 2025 Kettle Agreements here.
Find Divisional Marketing Materials here.
Online Giving
Link for virtual red kettles Virtual Kettles - NOT TO BE USED ON PHYSICAL KETTLES
Important Dates and Details
- Mid Michigan Red Kettle Kick off at Bronner's: 11/7/25
- Tallest Red Kettle Installation: 11/7/25
- Number of ringing days: 11/7/25
- Muskegon Red Kettle Kick Off: 11/10/25 -11/14/25
- Kalamazoo Red Kettle Kick Off: 11/13/25
- Ribbon Cutting at Royal Park Hotel: 11/13/25
- First day of Metro Detroit Kettles: 11/14/25
- Grand Rapids Red Kettle Kick Off: 11/15/25
- Metro Detroit Red Kettle Kick Off: 11/21/25
- Thanksgiving Day Parade: 11/27/25
- National Red Kettle Kick Off: 11/27/25
- Giving Tuesday: 12/2/25
- Celebrity Bell Ringing Weekend: 12/5/25 - 12/8/25
- Celebrity Bell Ringing Day: 12/6/25
- Metro Detroit Consortium of Hope Matching Campaign: 12/12/25 - 12/31/25
Bell Ringing Dates
Angel Tree Program
Removing registries: Salvation Army units must set their registries to private by Date to be determined
Kettle Bonuses
Most recent Kettle Bonus Update
Find the Kettle Bonus information here.
GLD 2025 Optional Kettle Bonus System
Deadlines
Donor Data Deadlines
All donor data must be entered into Salesforce no later than Friday, January 23, 2026.
All Kettle data must be entered into Register to Ring no later than Friday, January 9, 2026.
All in-kind donations and kettle revenue must be input into Register to Ring by 8:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026
For any support regarding Register to Ring: RTRSupport@summitmarketing.com
Social Services Deadlines
Start and end dates for Walmart Angel Trees:
Tap to Give Program Protocol and Guidelines
Select volunteer resources from the tabs below. If you have any questions, please contact Claire Randall at claire.randall@usc.salvationarmy.org.
New Volunteer Forms
Michigan Consent Release Background Check Form
Photo/Publication Consent Form
Sterling Background Check Form
Better Impact Manual
Volunteer Training Video and Slide Deck
April 13, 2022 Presentation Slide Deck
Volunteer Resources Training Video
Reminders and Helpful Hints:
Email Signatures: Full email policy may be found in Section 32 - Information Technology, Minute #10, Part # 1, 11/1/2011, Revision Date 7/27/2021
Required:
Name
Rank
Title/Appointment
Address
Telephone Number(s)
Salvation Army Web Address
Optional and Approved:
Divisional Logo
Fundraising Campaign Logo (“Love Beyond” currently)
Salvation Army Facebook, Twitter, Instagram links
Scripture quote
Jeremy Monteith is available for Advisory Organization training.
The National Standards of Excellence and training hub can be found at AOhub.org.
Advisory Board/Council Orientation booklet