Make It Your Business is a newsletter from the New Economy Initiative highlighting resources and opportunities for southeast Michigan business support organizations (BSOs). Look for new editions in your inbox on the second and fourth Monday of each month. 

To the BSOs and entrepreneurs navigating this difficult time, we are here to serve you and stand as a resource. This section contains relevant resources for BSOs and those who fund entrepreneurship, some being applicable to small businesses. As a baseline, here are reputable COVID-19 resource collections that are current, most being continuously updated.
 

COVID-19 Resources for Nonprofits | Bridgespan 

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resources for Philanthropists and Impact Investors | Bridgespan 

Philanthropic response to COVID-19 | Candid + GuideStar

COVID-19 Response & Resources for Nonprofits | Michigan Nonprofit Association

For data on the COVID-19 impact on the labor market, the real estate market, and other areas of economic activity, look to Brookings Metro Recovery Index. 

TechTown Detroit has been offering free consultations for entrepreneurs and small businesses, with members of their team using digital platforms. Schedule an appointment for a video meeting: Open Office Hours and Ask An Expert.

This section spotlights offerings and accomplishments of a few of the many organizations that support small businesses in our entrepreneurial ecosystem. If you have suggestions, please submit them to neicommunications@cfsem.org.

Celebrate the growth of ProsperUS with their spinoff and expansion

ProsperUS Detroit is a place-based economic development strategy designed to empower low- and moderate-income, immigrant and minority individuals.

At the beginning of this month, ProsperUS Detroit officially spun off from Southwest Economic Solutions to become their own separate nonprofit organization. Mentioned by Crain’s, “The move will enable ProsperUs to expand its lending pool and the number of entrepreneurs it can support by giving it the ability to seek new sources of government, bank and foundation support. And that, in turn, will give it the ability to help more aspiring entrepreneurs of color in Detroit.”

Read the 2019 annual report from Michigan Community Resources (MCR).

MCR advances the missions of Michigan nonprofit organizations that serve low-income individuals and communities, through pro bono and low cost legal and other professional services, organizational development, and trusted guidance.

Michigan Community Resources is a long-time partner of NEI, most notably being the facilitator and co-creator of the Neighborhood Business Initiative Worktable, bringing together NEI’s grantees focused on helping businesses start, build and thrive in Detroit’s neighborhoods. MCR’s 2019 Annual Report demonstrates the great work they are doing to help build a more equitable economy for all.

Design Core Detroit offers services to strengthen, grow and attract design businesses, increase market demand for design services, and tell Detroit’s design story locally and globally.

This past September, Design Core Detroit hosted their 10th annual Detroit Month of Design. Read the Design Milk article 5 Highlights You Should Know About From Detroit Month of Design 2020 and take a look back at the schedule for featured programming.

Design Core Detroit recently released their Design Guide for Real Estate Development, which answers important questions developers may have about the process of working with a designer.

The guide, along with the Design Guide for Neighborhood Businesses, can be found below at their Business Resources page.

Highlights

The November Citywide virtual SOUP is Sunday, November 1, at 5:00 p.m. Get your tickets here. 

Election Day is on Tuesday, November 3. For your local voting information, visit vote.org. 

Join FoodLab for Change is Power: Choosing the Future We Desire, Monday, November 16, 2020, at 6 p.m., to reimagine a better food industry and world.

The next conversation in Urban Consulate’s Practicing Racial Equity series is Wednesday, November 18, at 7 p.m., live streamed at Facebook.com/UrbanConsulate. 

SCORE has been hosting free, LIVE webinars every week on small business tips and strategies. See their upcoming offerings on their website.

The Michigan SBDC has been hosting informational webinars. Watch past recordings and register for upcoming small business support webinars.  
 

The University of Michigan's "Free Accounting Fridays" program is available to help you with accounting/finance concerns (profit and loss statements, cash flow analysis, balance sheets, etc.) and consult on the various loan/grant opportunities related to COVID-19 and help prepare applications. You can make appointments here.

What we’re reading

Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in American Cities | Andre M. Perry

The Tenants Who Evicted Their Landlord | The New York Times

The Fire This Time | Jesmyn Ward

Devita Davison on What a Better Food World Should Look Like | Eater

In Good Co. Detroit

Authentically Detroit

Detroit City of Design 

More entrepreneurship events, resources, and opportunities here.