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U.S. Small Business Administration Program for Investments in Microentrepreneurs Program
Pro Bono Capacity Building Consulting for Microenterprise Development Organizations

Capacity building is often defined as "actions that improve nonprofit effectiveness."  Thanks to the SBA PRIME Program, nonprofits that help low-income individuals start and expand small businesses can apply for assistance to increase capacity and impact.
  Note: these grants do not include a monetary award but instead offer pro bono consulting
worth $15,000.  Selected organizations must provide an in-kind match of staff time devoted to the project plus up to $1,000 to defray the cost of travel expenses for the consultant's site visit.  For questions, call Jason Friedman at 319-341-3556 or e-mail at jasonj@friedmanassociates.net

Microenterprise Development Women’s Leadership Consortium

Administered by Women's Initiative for Self Employment with assistance from Friedman Associates.  

  

Based in San Francisco, CA, Women's Initiative is the largest provider of microenterprise training the country helping low-income women build successful businesses.


Eligible Applicants: nonprofit organization that serve a high percentage of low-income women entrepreneurs.


Eligible activities: training and coaching for executive directors and boards on effective board governance and tools to promote their board member involvement in fundraising and network building for the organization;

strategic planning; volunteer program management; messaging and external communications strategies; and program assessment and design, among other services. 


Matching Requirements: Selected organizations must provide an in-kind match of staff time devoted to the project plus up to $1,000 to defray the cost of travel expenses for the consultant's site visit.


Application: Click here for the application. 


Submission deadline: November 30th by 5:00 pm EDT. E-mail the completed application to ederenzy@womensinitative.org and Jason Friedman at jasonj@friedmanassociates.net 

Academy for Green Microenterprise Development  

Administered by Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs & Georgia Green Loans with assistance from Friedman Associates   

 

Based in Georgia, ACE is an award-winning CDFI and microlender that has developed a statewide platform for green small business lending.  


Eligible Applicants: nonprofit organizations that predominantly serve low-income entrepreneurs that are seeking to develop a green microenterprise development training or lending program.


Eligible Activities: selected applicants will learn how to teach the "the triple bottom line" to their clients.  ACE will work with you to develop a strategic plan for your green program. We will also connect you to resources and program materials to help you create your initiative. 


Matching Requirements: Selected organizations must provide an in-kind match of staff time devoted to the project plus up to $1,000 to defray the cost of travel expenses for the consultant's site visit.

 

Application: Click here for the application. 


Submission deadline: November 30, 2011 by 5:00 pm EDT.  E-mail the completed application to penney@aceloans.org and jasonj@friedmanassociates.net

MicroBuilders Capacity Building Program

Administered by Little Dixie Community Action Agency with assistance from Friedman Associates.   

 

Based in Hugo, Oklahoma, Little Dixie CAA is an award winning organization providing a broad range of economic and community development programs.

Eligible applicants: nonprofit organizations that serve primarily low-income entrepreneurs.

Eligible Activities:  includes strategic planning; fund development training; board development training; volunteer program management; messaging and external communications strategies; and program assessment and design, among other services.
 

Matching Requirements:
Selected organizations must provide an in-kind match of staff time devoted to the project plus up to $1,000 to defray the cost of travel expenses for the consultant's site visit.

Application: Click here for the application.

Submission deadline: November 30, 2011 by 5:00 pm EDT.  E-mail the completed application to space@littledixie.org and jasonj@friedmanassociates.net