The article titled “Southwest Economic Solutions receives $3.5 million from Kellogg Foundation” immediately caught my eyes, for that I am currently interning at Southwest’s ProsperUS Detroit program. The article discusses the Kellogg Foundation’s recent grants to Southwest Economic Solutions to facilitate entrepreneurial practices in the city of Detroit, especially in low-income and minority communities. Of the total grant amount, $1.8 million went into supporting the expansion of ProsperUS Detroit, one of the powerful contributors to Detroit’s economic development through empowering social entrepreneurship and small business development. At the time this article was first published, I did not have much knowledge of ProsperUS Detroit, nor did I realize the impact social enterprises have been making in the city. Now as a member of the ProsperUS team, I feel rejoiced and proud to see that the meaningful work ProsperUS Detroit has been doing is recognized and valued, and is supported to expand the scope of its impact. The more I learn about ProsperUS and the individuals who strive to carry out its mission of providing opportunities for low-income and minority individuals and families to achieve their entrepreneurial goal, the more I admire the nature of ProsperUS’s services and wish the program has capacity to support more people in the community. The program’s mission aligns with one of Kellogg’s principles to promote equitable participation in the economic resurgence of Detroit. ProsperUS provides well-designed and high-quality entrepreneurial training courses and one-on-one technical assistance to its students at very low or no cost, and it offers loan opportunities to individuals who might not be able to afford interest at a bank or might be denied by a bank due to their credit history. ProsperUS distinguishes itself from organizations of similar kinds by using a character-based assessment when it examines applicants of the program in order to embrace entrepreneurs of all backgrounds, as long as they carry passion, commitment, and social mission.
I believe the Kellogg Foundation made a wise decision by signing grants to Southwest Economic Solutions. The city of Detroit needs organizations like Southwest to advance small-scale businesses’ growth and the spirit of social entrepreneurship. When these organizations strive to make their services accessible to people of all socioeconomic status, they need fundings to sustain their programs. For example, ProsperUS offers Detroit residents to take the entrepreneurial training program valued at $800 for as low as $75 depending on their household income. The demand has been high for the training courses, and ProsperUS Detroit tries its best to accept everyone who has applied and shown dedication to the program. However, as the applicant pool expands and resources for ProsperUS stay at the same level, it would not have enough capacity to meet the demand. The Kellogg grants have given ProsperUS resources to expand its capacity to include and impact many more entrepreneurs in the community, and in my opinion, the grants will continue to make a difference in the city of Detroit as entrepreneurs receive trainings or support from a program like ProsperUS, find inspirations, and give back to the community through their businesses.
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/print/655911
Southwest Economic Solutions receives $3.5 million from Kellogg Foundation
I believe the Kellogg Foundation made a wise decision by signing grants to Southwest Economic Solutions. The city of Detroit needs organizations like Southwest to advance small-scale businesses’ growth and the spirit of social entrepreneurship. When these organizations strive to make their services accessible to people of all socioeconomic status, they need fundings to sustain their programs. For example, ProsperUS offers Detroit residents to take the entrepreneurial training program valued at $800 for as low as $75 depending on their household income. The demand has been high for the training courses, and ProsperUS Detroit tries its best to accept everyone who has applied and shown dedication to the program. However, as the applicant pool expands and resources for ProsperUS stay at the same level, it would not have enough capacity to meet the demand. The Kellogg grants have given ProsperUS resources to expand its capacity to include and impact many more entrepreneurs in the community, and in my opinion, the grants will continue to make a difference in the city of Detroit as entrepreneurs receive trainings or support from a program like ProsperUS, find inspirations, and give back to the community through their businesses.
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/print/655911
Southwest Economic Solutions receives $3.5 million from Kellogg Foundation
Businesses supported by ProsperUS Detroit through training, business services, and lending.
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