By Greg Archer | Contributing Columnist
More than 15 years after its inception, the Microenterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California is expanding its support for micro business development agencies.
A recent grant from the CIELO Fund through the Inland Empire Community Foundation will further help the organization generate and grow sustainable small businesses and job development across the region.
“As a nonprofit, we’re dependent on charitable investments and grants help a lot; it’s game changing,” said Pamela Deans, executive director of the Microenterprise Collaborative. “Part of the work this grant went to was to increase our awareness for the Latino community and provide resources.”
This expansion coincides with the organization’s growth from the Inland Empire into Los Angeles and Orange County, reaching other cities and chambers of commerce to disseminate information and host events.
“I wanted to make sure that we are very inclusive with our demographic,” Deans emphasized. “At least 50% or more of those demographics are Hispanic, and it’s very important for us to make sure that, if they’re monolingual Spanish or even bilingual Spanish, that they have access to the same resources.”
From left, Pamela Deans, executive director of Microenterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California; Tim Grambling, president and CEO of the Corona Chamber of Commerce; Jose Navarrete-Cruz, founder of JGNC Business Services; Peter Jackson, executive director for the California Region at JPMorgan Chase; and Zeb Welborn, president and CEO of the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce, are seen at a workshop. (Photo by The Microenterprise Collaborative)
“The grant has allowed us to do translation services for some of the resources and offer access to capital,” she noted. “It also helped us implement a Spanish-speaking newsletter that forwards out resources offered through the chambers, cities, and other nonprofits.”
“We’ve seen about a 300% increase in that newsletter,” Deans added. “Thanks to the CIELO grant, we’ve been able to do a lot of great things for our community.”
Initially, the organization formed from a diverse coalition of community leaders dedicated to enhancing small business development in Riverside and San Bernardino counties and eastern Los Angeles County.
Expanded efforts are expected to create greater impact, adding to the more than 700 banks, chambers of commerce, business associations, nonprofits, universities, community college business programs, microlenders, and city and county agencies already part of the network.
Deans pointed out that micro-businesses, defined as those with fewer than five employees, comprise about 90% of all businesses and provide 23% of all jobs.
Positive ripple effects abound throughout the organization as it continues its mission. While small businesses generate income for owners and families and create jobs in the region, micro-business owners need expertise, information, and capital to thrive.
Small business service providers and microlenders provide crucial support, offering counseling, training, and microloans.
“We’re a regional backbone of 700-plus organizations that work with entrepreneurs,” Deans said. “We do not provide direct technical assistance or lending; we connect entrepreneurs to the best resources available.”
Programs aimed at job creation are also part of these efforts, such as the SCALE program by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate, which empowers small businesses with the resources they need to grow.
Deans also mentioned a Small Business Integrity Initiative as part of their work. The nonprofit’s website lists numerous events, from “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” to webinars on business lending opportunities.
“We’re a very strong organization, but we’re kind of in the background, if you will,” Deans said. “We want people to know that much of what we do is focused on ecosystem building.”
Learn more at microbizinsocal.org.
The Inland Empire Community Foundation works to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy. Visit iegives.org.
