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- EIN 43-1658421
- 4747 Troost Avenue, Suite 218 Kansas City MO 64110 USA
- www.firststepfund.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Philanthropy, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations
Mission: MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of First Step Fund (FSF) is to foster economic self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship training, access to capital, and ongoing support.
OVERVIEW
Recognizing microenterprise development as a successful poverty-elimination strategy in developing countries, FSF was established in 1993 to implement this model in Kansas City. A microenterprise is defined as a business that requires $35,000 or less in start up capital and employs five or fewer people. **Ours is the only organization in Kansas City that works exclusively with individuals with low to moderate incomes who wish to pursue a microenterprise as their principle or supplementary source of family income. Although we do not view microenterprise development (self-employment) as a panacea for all individuals in poverty, it is a viable option for those with the drive to succeed. **Since 1993, we have trained more than 1,400 individuals to develop a microenterprise and assisted them with more than 700 small businesses. In our 2006-2007 Graduate Survey, we demonstrated that of those not in business or in the early start up phase at enrollment (74%), 44% are now in business. Of those who were in business at enrollment (26%), 81% are still in business. More than 310 FSF graduate businesses employ an additional 260 individuals and generate annual net profits in excess of $2 million.
Programs: First Step Fast Trac is our primary course. It is a 12-session, 36-hour general business training course through which participants complete feasibility plans for their businesses or business ideas. Class size is typically 25 individuals and we use the nationally distributed First Step FastTrac curriculum. A contracted facilitator and four coaches, all with experience in the field of small business development, and a staff member, conduct each class session. Volunteer content experts also make presentations. **This course is offered five times per year enrolling a total of approximately 125 new clients.
Donor & Volunteer Advisory
This organization's nonprofit status may have been revoked or it may have merged with another organization or ceased operations.