Don Samuels shared information about his business and political careers but foremost his role as CEO of MicroGrants at the club’s Oct. 24 meeting.
The private nonprofit gives several hundred small grants annually to mostly minority entrepreneurs and workers. They are referred by partner training agencies such as Goodwill, Project for Pride in Living (PPL), Twin Cities Rise, Emerge Community Development, Summit Academy, and Neighborhood Development Center.
These recipients, usually low-income adults who have earned certification in health care, construction, building maintenance or otherwise, typically are high on motivation and low on the capital to afford a tool belt or used equipment for their fledgling business, or complete a course in nursing.
Last year the organization awarded grants totaling more than $700,000, “and we’ve changed a lot of lives,” Don said. MicroGrants also administers the innovative Lights On program, in which about 22 metro-area police departments are offering repair vouchers rather than issuing tickets when they stop a car because a headlight or taillight is out.
More information about MicroGrants can be found at www.microgrants.net.
►Volunteers are also needed to work on the Camp Enterprise project from Nov. 2-5 as mentors, essay readers, etc. See John Crudele.
►Mark your calendar for the annual Veterans Luncheon that will be held Nov. 9 at Bearpath. SIGN UP NOW on ClubRunner or at the tomorrow's meeting
►A Rotary Youth Exchange Info Session will be held 6:30-7:30 pm. Nov. 2 at the Chanhassen Recreation Center for students interested in becoming outbound exchange students. Click to see flyer