Welcome


Voices for Action is a statewide effort to reduce poverty 50% in Michigan by 2020.

Led by the Michigan Department of Human Services, the initiative has created a network of organizations including human service organizations, government agencies, local faith-based and community organizations, non-profits, and businesses.


This space is for you to share your Voices for Action stories and current information. There are three ways to share.

- Submit a post via email to: voices4action6@haltpoverty.org and we'll post it for you, be sure to include contact info

- Submit a post through blogger: Google account required; request author invite by sending an email with
name & organization information to: voices4action6@haltpoverty.org

- Comment on published posts, no login required

You can use tags to highlight themes, such as 'asset building', 'workforce development', 'food assistance', etc.



Here are current poverty statistics for Region 6:

2009 Poverty and Median Income Estimates - Counties
Name Poverty Estimate All Ages Poverty Percent All Ages Poverty Estimate Under Age 18 Poverty Percent Under Age 18 Median Household Income
Allegan 12,850 11.5 4,601 16.2 50,487
Barry 6,038 10.4 2,111 15.2 53,566
Berrien 27,259 17.4 9,481 25.4 39,856
Branch 7,430 17.9 2,780 26.8 40,798
Calhoun 22,951 17.4 8,193 26.1 39,130
Cass 7,837 15.9 2,334 21.5 45,799
Kalamazoo 46,977 19.6 11,748 21.8 42,336
St. Joseph 10,265 16.9 3,710 23.9 43,402
Van Buren 12,755 16.6 4,409 22.8 41,731






Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area
Estimates Branch

Internet Release date: December 2010




View Michigan Counties - Region 6 Poverty in a larger map

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Capacity Building Grants for Microenterprise Development Organizations - Due Nov. 29th

From the Microenterprise Network of Michigan

Friedman Associates is offering capacity building grants, thanks to the SBA PRIME Program. Capacity building is often defined as "actions that improve nonprofit effectiveness," and 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.

There are three specific RFP areas:

1. Consortium for Leaders in Women's Microenterprise Development

Women's Initiative is one of the largest organizations in the country helping low-income women build successful businesses. Four organizations that serve primarily low-income women entrepreneurs are eligible to receive capacity building assistance. This 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.

2. Academy for Green Microenterprise Development

ACE is an award-winning CDFI and microlender that has developed a statewide platform for green small business lending. Seeking to develop a green microenterprise development training or lending program? On a competitive basis, two Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) that serve low-income individuals will be selected to 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.

3. MicroBuilders Capacity Building Program

Little Dixie CAA is an award winning organization providing a broad range of economic and community development programs. Four organizations that serve primarily low-income entrepreneurs are eligible to receive capacity building assistance. This 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.

For questions, or to receive RFP's and application information contact Jason Friedman, Friedman Associates, at 319-341-3556 or jasonj@friedmanassociates.net. More information available at: http://friedmanassociates.net/SBAPRIME.aspx

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