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Do you have an idea to improve your community?

Bring your ideas forward to Opportunity Empowered for your chance to receive up to $15,000 in funding, voted on by your community!

SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORIES:

Arts & Entertainment:

  • Theatre and Dance Companies

  • Museums

Professional: 

  • Offices of Lawyers

  • Offices of Notaries

  • Tax Preparation

  • Bookkeeping

  • Payroll Services

  • Building InspectionServices

  • Engineering Services

  • Graphic Design

  • Advertising Agencies

Recreation:

  • Zoos

  • Skiing Facilities

  • Bowling Centers

  • Amusement Parks

  • Arcades

  • Botanical Gardens

Opportunity Empowered is a program launched by the Urban League of West Michigan in partnership with Heart of West Michigan United Way. Residents with grassroots ideas can participate in this opportunity to empower community voices by ideating, identifying and prioritizing solutions to community identified issues. 

This is an opportunity for those who may already be operating small scale out of homes and churches, etc. and are looking to elevate their idea.

Opportunity Empowered SMALL BUSINESS Round Is Now Open:

Applications for our 2nd event of 2025 are open until June 22nd. Small Business Round–specifically focusing on Arts andEntertainment, Professional, and Recreation. See list below.

 

Opportunity Empowered has granted 29 Initiative Owners with $386,250 in funding since September 2023. Amazing things are happening in our community as a result.

 

Community Ideas💡Community Vote 🗳️ Community Prize Money 💵

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  • Residents will bring ideas forward and have the opportunity to receive $5,000-$15,000 in funding.

  • The community will vote on each idea and prize money will be awarded.

  • In addition to the prize money residents will receive coaching and professional help needed to launch their project.
     

Opportunity Empowered 2025 Small Business

We're looking for applicants who have a mall business idea/initiative. Can you answer yes to the following questions:

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  • Do you have a new small business? 

  • Has your company generated less than $250,000 in profit annually since start up?

  • Is your business or business idea providing support to GR residents in any of the following zip codes? (49503, 49504, 49506, or 49507)

  • Does your business or business idea provide goods or services not related to shelter, temporary, or permanent housing for community members?

  • Do you have an idea/initiative in one of the following categories: Art or entertainment, Professional, or Recreation?

  • Are you 18 years old or older?
     

If your answer to all these questions is "YES", please click on the "Apply Now!" button below to continue.

Opportunity Empowered is part of the Thrive + Prosper movement focused on making Grand Rapids a better place to live, where no one is left out, where all voices are heard and where it’s normal—not newsworthy—for everyone to thrive and prosper. Learn more by visiting thriveandprosper.com

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