"Over time, I observed two repetitive phenomena:
1. There are many low income people with great potential
2. Most affluent people like to see results from their investments

So, with the help of some non-profits I was familiar with, we found industrious low-income people who wanted to improve their lives.

Typical grants go for home-based businesses, construction tools, office equipment and supplies, books, job training tuition, licenses for day-care or cleaning businesses, insurance, down payments on necessary cars and even working capital.

If you are an affluent person who believes in "grass-roots" capitalism, but do not know the people to invest in, give MicroGrants your donation. We will see that it is invested in the right "people of potential". If you can find your own worthy recipient, please do and do not bother going through us.

The important thing is to get your money working productively."


 
Frequently Asked Questions


How much is a grant from the MicroGrants organization?
It is a financial sponsorship of a $1000 or more to an individual who is on their way to becoming self-sufficient.

How are MicroGrants awarded?

MicroGrant candidates are interviewed and selected based upon their need, their use of the grant, and their qualification as an individual of potential; i.e. someone who is determined to be on their way to a productive career.

Who receives the $1000 grants?
Individuals and non-profit organizations primarily in the Minneapolis and St.Paul neighborhoods.

Are the $1000 grants from MicroGrants loans?
No. As the name implies, they are grants, with no expectation that any part of the money will be paid back. MicroGrants wants to help recipients learn to build equity, not acquire debt.

How much of every donation to MicroGrants is paid out?
At least $.97 of every dollar donated is invested in the recipients. MicroGrants is solely operated by volunteers. Low overhead is one of the important precepts of our organization.

Will my donation remain anonymous?
Yes. Donations enter into a pool of MicroGrant funds for anonymity purposes.

Can I make a donation for more than $1,000?
Yes. The total amount donated will be granted to as many recipients as it can financially assist.


How do potential recipients apply to MicroGrants?

Due to the high volume of applications, limited funds, the all volunteer staff, and our desire not to dash the hopes of applicants, MicroGrants has decided to implement the following referral process.
Applications will only be accepted by e-mail on a typed MicroGrant application, and the application must come approved from one of the following people at the following approved agencies:

  • Tina Platt at Connections to Work
  • Lora Stone at Train to Work
  • Laura Ford for PPL's SHOP, INDUSTRIES, or SELF-SUFFICIENCY programs
  • Lois Welman at Summit Academy OIC
  • Maliha Husain at Women Ventures
  • Kara  Garbe at Twin Cities Rise!
  • Darlene Williams at Prism
  • African Development Corporation

These agencies have policies, practices, and mentorship programs that are in harmony with the values, goals, and management capabilities of MicroGrants. 
Each agency person will be permitted to approve one grant per week, but it will not be automatically funded unless the donated dollars are available.
The agency point person will email the approved application directly to Joe Selvaggio at joe@microgrants.net.
Keep in mind the following when making referrals:
*MG needs to be transparent in its operation.
*We need good quality recipients who will be mentored and evaluated. 
*The non-profits that are trying to make low-income people self sufficient are best qualified to play that role.
*The referrals can't just come from those non-profits because anyone can say "PPL referred me."  I need to know who at the agency referred the person.
This new policy is subject to change.  MicroGrants is not an entitlement program, but a private effort to help a very specific type of applicant with an opportunity for advancement---taking advantage of an opportunity to get the person from point A to point B.  This usually involves an opportunity to make more money. Thank you for your understanding.


Who are the non-profit organizations MicroGrants work with?
They are organizations specializing in helping lower-income individuals and families become self-sufficient. These organizations provide us with referrals: PPL, Summit Academy OIC, Twin Cities Rise!, and Women Venture and a few other select non-profits that help the poor become self sufficient.

Does MicroGrants maintain a relationship with the recipients?
Yes. MicroGrants works in three ways with our recipients. The non-profits who send us referrals:

    1. Select the worthy recipient
    2. Mentor the recipient throughout his or her involvement with the financial grant
    3. Evaluate each recipient as to how well the goals were realized


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