Ten Local Business Ventures Awarded Microgrant Funds Through SEG 

January 18th, 2024

PROVIDENCE, RI – Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) awarded over $48,000 to ten distinct Rhode Island small businesses and nonprofits through its recently launched Microgrant Fund. Each awardee received up to $5,000 to support key activities or obtain the necessary tools that will help take ventures to the next level. SEG’s Microgrant Fund was established in 2022 with an initial gift from donors Mary Elleen and Chris Patton and expanded in 2023 with support from RI Commerce. 

“Microgrants can be a game-changer for entrepreneurs,” said Julie Owens, Chief Executive Officer of SEG. “At SEG, we connect social entrepreneurs – especially those from historically underserved and underestimated communities – with capital to fuel innovation and growth, build resilience, and create a pathway to additional funding.”

The recipients supported through this year’s grant awards are a particularly diverse group with 70% being women led as well as 60% minority owned businesses and organizations. The 2023 awardees are leading a broad range of initiatives from mental health and domestic violence support programs to emergency housing for LGBTQ youth and holistic healing. 

“It is obvious from the overwhelming quality and quantity of the applications received that there is a thriving business and social impact community in Rhode Island,” said Stefanie Engelhardt, Senior Director of Programs and Services at SEG. “Access to capital is a key resource to elevate and support this community and we are grateful for the generous support of The Patton Family and RI Commerce to support this ecosystem” 

Since SEG launched in 2013, more than 2,000 entrepreneurs and companies have participated in SEG programs. SEG was one of the first incubation and accelerator organizations in the country to focus on social impact as a pathway to create opportunities, especially for those entrepreneurs and businesses that traditionally face barriers to access.

“The SEG microgrant could not have come at a better time. I recently expanded my business which included a lot of unexpected costs. Thanks to the microgrant, I now have working capital to move forward with renovations that will increase my revenue and encourage growth,” said Liz Welch, a microgrant recipient and the founder of Anyhow Studio.

“This grant opportunity recognizes the hard work I’ve put into this idea. As a Latina mom ready to empower herself, I’ve left the fear behind and am getting to work, with gratitude to those who have helped make my dream possible,” said Sucely Murillo, a microgrant recipient and the founder of Elena’s Tire Shop. “I’ve dedicated this endeavor to my late grandma, whose legacy will live on through this project. Her name was Elena, and she was all about love and kindness. We are ready for success, with a strong business model to encourage sustainability, equity, and equality. But most importantly, we look to highlight the diversity within our beautiful communities. Our mission is to empower all women.”

The 2023 microgrant recipients (along with founders) include:

About Social Enterprise Greenhouse: 

SEG accelerates impact by providing inclusive support and networks for entrepreneurs and businesses committed to positive societal and economic change. SEG fosters an ecosystem of diverse stakeholders who work to enable a more just, equitable, and resilient economy. SEG is based in Rhode Island and operates statewide virtually and from sites in Providence, Newport, and Pawtucket/Central Falls. Its network of 2,000+ enterprises and 200+ business and community leaders contributes time, expertise, and funding to grow Rhode Island’s social impact ecosystem. To learn more, visit www.segreenhouse.org.

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Media Contact (For SEG)

Mike Raia, Half Street Strategic Consulting

401.340.9425 | mikeraia@halfstreetgroup.com 

SEG Expands Microgrant Fund in Collaboration with Community Partners

January 22, 2024

Eight small businesses were granted awards in 2023, each receiving $5,000 in funding

PROVIDENCE, RI – Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) is expanding its successful Microgrant Fund to reach small businesses working with partner organizations around the state. Overall, SEG awarded $40,000 to eight Rhode Island small businesses. 

Each awardee received $5,000 to support key activities or obtain the necessary tools that will help take ventures to the next level. In total, SEG funded twenty eight small businesses in 2023, awarding more than $133,000 to local entrepreneurs. SEG’s Microgrant Fund was established in 2022 with an initial gift from donors Mary Elleen and Chris Patton and expanded in 2023 with support from RI Commerce. 

“We are seeing overwhelming success with this program, and collaborating with our community partners was a natural next step to reach underserved communities who are often overlooked,” said Julie Owens, Chief Executive Officer of SEG. “We are so encouraged by the impact these awards are having within our small business communities, and hope to reach more entrepreneurs in the future.”

These eight diverse and distinct businesses provide a wide range of services, from mitigating the impacts of climate change through risk mapping to herbal education, and an online marketplace for food vendors in RI.

Entrepreneurs partnered with the Business Empowerment Alliance of Rhode Island (BEARI), an innovative coalition made up of the Center for Southeast Asians, the Center for Women and Enterprise, Fuerza Laboral, Hope & Main, Rhode Island Black Business Association, the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber, and the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center. Officially launched in November, BEARI stands committed to enhancing services and expanding resources for underrepresented businesses.  

“With the generous funding provided by RI Commerce and our partnerships with business support organizations in Rhode Island, we successfully extended our reach beyond SEG’s ecosystem to meet the needs of numerous organizations,” said Stefanie Engelhardt, Senior Director of Programs and Services at SEG. “This collaboration highlighted the crucial role that funding plays in helping businesses overcome obstacles and expand their revenue streams. I am grateful that SEG could actively contribute to supporting businesses throughout the state of Rhode Island.” 

Since SEG launched in 2013, more than 2,000 entrepreneurs and companies have participated in SEG programs. SEG was one of the first incubation and accelerator organizations in the country to focus on social impact as a pathway to create opportunities, especially for those entrepreneurs and businesses that traditionally face barriers to access.

“This funding holds great significance for our small minority business. It not only validates our presence but also enables us to offer crucial wellness services to people of color through a dedicated wellness coaching program,” said Laura Goodwin, the founder of Empower RI. 

“This grant is a game-changer for a new business like PopUp Rhody. We’re in the process of pivoting our business concept. Miraculously, we now have the funding to develop a new website to share the amazing events that small businesses are creating throughout Rhode Island. We’re so grateful,” said Jo Lee, the founder of PopUp Rhody.

The 2023 partner microgrant recipients (along with founders) include:

About Social Enterprise Greenhouse: 

SEG accelerates impact by providing inclusive support and networks for entrepreneurs and businesses committed to positive societal and economic change. SEG fosters an ecosystem of diverse stakeholders who work to enable a more just, equitable, and resilient economy. SEG is based in Rhode Island and operates statewide virtually and from sites in Providence, Newport, and Pawtucket/Central Falls. Its network of 2,000+ enterprises and 200+ business and community leaders contributes time, expertise, and funding to grow Rhode Island’s social impact ecosystem. To learn more, visit www.segreenhouse.org.

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Media Contact (For SEG)

Mike Raia, Half Street Strategic Consulting

401.340.9425 | mikeraia@halfstreetgroup.com