REI Oklahoma receives grant | News

OKLAHOMA CITY – REI Oklahoma, an financial improvement nonprofit, was not too long ago awarded a $10,000 grant from the Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma. The goal of this grant is to assist propel the launch or progress of small companies which might be majority-owned by single mom or single girls households by way of their Women’s Business Center. REI Oklahoma and its Women’s Business Center serve all 77 counties in Oklahoma.

Funds from this grant will launch a scholarship and microgrant initiative that focuses on single mom, or single girl, households. These grant and scholarships can be smaller, focused quantities with no expectation of monetary compensation permitting recipients to attend trainings to raise their enterprise or buy a tangible merchandise. What is vital about microgrants is {that a} girl may merely have to buy a chunk of kit, permitting her to generate income, however doesn’t have the assets to buy. Microgrants will permit REI Oklahoma to assist safe these tangible objects which they may use as property when the time is correct to safe a enterprise mortgage.

Those fascinated by making use of to take part on this initiative should attend one among three scheduled information classes. These information classes can be digital to make sure ease of entry no matter the place those that qualify reside in Oklahoma. The dates and occasions are as follows: Jan. 12, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Jan. 14, 10 to 11 a.m.; and Jan. 16, 12 to 1 p.m. Following the ultimate information session, the appliance will open, and attendees might apply starting Jan. 18. Applications will shut on March 15, or when all grant funds are expended. Recipients can be chosen by way of a proper software course of, with precedence given to single mom or single girl family enterprise house owners.

“REI Oklahoma sees this generous grant from the Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma aligning perfectly with the work we are already doing to remove barriers for single mothers and single women business owners and entrepreneurs allowing them to have deeper success in launching or growing their business,” mentioned Sherry Harlin, REI Oklahoma senior vp of improvement. “We have seen how small business ownership provides a vehicle to changing the well-being and financial stability of women and a microgrant, or a specific training scholarship, could be the mechanism that is needed.”

REI Women’s Business Center, funded partly by the U.S. Small Business Administration, is Oklahoma’s solely statewide Women’s Business Center, offering high quality coaching, enterprise counseling, entry to capital and technical help. Each 12 months the WBC gives 150 trainings and networking occasions. Topics embody enterprise planning, entrepreneurship, financing, advertising and marketing, ecommerce, social media, taxes, authorities contracting and extra.

“We are excited about the possibilities of this grant in support of REI Oklahoma and it’s Women’s Business Center,” mentioned Erika Warren, director of donor providers and packages for the Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma and Communities Foundation of Oklahoma. “REI Oklahoma’s Women’s Business Center Capacity Initiative is in perfect alignment with our mission of empowering women and ensuring their prosperity for generations to come.”

To join one of many on-line information classes, or to ask extra questions concerning the initiative, electronic mail [email protected] or name 1-800-658-2823 and ask to talk to a group member about REI Women’s Business Center Capacity Initiative.

About REI Oklahoma

Since 1982, REI Oklahoma has targeted on cultivating an atmosphere conducive to financial progress and job creation. As a statewide group, REI Oklahoma understands the significance of adapting to particular group wants, respecting group tradition and addressing the obstacles many Oklahomans face. REI Oklahoma’s headquarters are in Durant, with extra places of work in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. With the assorted level of entries to entry providers to REI Oklahoma, no matter the place a shopper enters, they’ve entry to all REI Oklahoma packages. These packages embody Business Lending, Housing Down Payment Assistance Program, Minority Business Center, New Market Tax Credit Program and the Women’s Business Center. To study extra about REI Oklahoma, go to https://www.reiok.org or name (800) 658-2823. Follow REI Oklahoma on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma

Established in 2003, the Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma advocates constructive change for Oklahoma girls and women. Born out of the generosity of Merle Chambers, WFO was based to provide again to our state in a singular and deliberate approach. The Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma is dedicated to offering ongoing help to low-income single moms working to finish their post-secondary schooling at Oklahoma faculties and universities. WFO works with greater schooling establishments throughout Oklahoma to supply grants which might be used not just for tangible objects reminiscent of meals, backpacks and child provides, but additionally for the providers that may’t be quantified — reminiscent of mentoring, tutoring and even baby care. Information: www.wfok.org.