The Michigan Women's Foundation

Geographic areas served: State of Michigan

Programs: Entrepreneur-you is a collaboration with walsh college that was launched in 2012. The year-long program provides education, networking and a business plan and pitch competition specifically for women entrepreneurs. In the first two years, nearly 500 different women in total have attended the entrepreneur-you conferences to network and learn from fellow women entrepreneurs. The two business plan and pitch competitions attracted nearly 300 applications from women seeking capital to start or grow their businesses.

angel microloan fund provides funding and technical assistance to women-owned or -led businesses in michigan who may not have access to traditional financing. Loans range from $2,500 to $40,000 for a maximumterm of 3 years. Young women for change (ywfc) was started in 1986 to provide high school girls an opportunity to create change through philanthropy. The first girls-as-grantmakers program in the country, ywfc allowed members to impact their communities as decision-makers by directing funds to programs that addressed funding priorities set by the young women. As part of our new strategic plan, mwf seeks to continue to develop young women leaders and allow them to create change for women and girls through a different platform - social entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurs build enterprises (non-profit or for profit) whose primary objective is to achieve social impact rather than generate profit for owners and stakeholders. These business-minded social change agents innovatively address society's social issues or work to benefit those left at the margins of our society. Camp moxie is a weeklong leadership adventure presented by michigan women's foundation, girl scouts of southeastern michigan and running start. At camp moxie, girls in grades 9-12 develop their leadership skills by participating in exciting, interactive, hands-on workshops and activities facilitated by local women leaders in business, philanthropy and government. University of life provides girls with a fun weekend experience to learn new skills, develop personally, and make new friends while spending time on a college campus. Girls work in diverse teams in a supportive, relaxed setting. Girls are free to be expressive, creative and curious and learn from interactions with other girls and women of different backgrounds, values and personalities. Life unplugged is an educational experience that gives students and young adults a glimpse of their futures! In this interactive program, students participate in a simulation to determine their most important values, identify career choices, practice living within a monthly budget and work through critical life choices.