Goodwill Industries SWFL Receives $15,000 Grant from Truist

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Nov. 8, 2021 - PRLog -- Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida (SWFL) today announced it received a $15,000 grant from Truist Financial Corporation through its Truist Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund at The Winston-Salem Foundation, to support the MicroEnterprise Institute.

"We are grateful for the partnership developed with Truist and the funding support to continue to offer MicroEnterprise classes to aspiring entrepreneurs," remarked Sandra Plazas, Goodwill SWFL's program manager for community education. "We continue to see the growth and sustainability in the microbusinesses started or strengthened after taking the class."

MicroEnterprise is a small business program that assists aspiring entrepreneurs who typically fall in the low-to-moderate income bracket or are disadvantaged in some way. Approximately 101 classes graduated in Southwest Florida over the past 11 years, with more than 400 local businesses getting their start or strengthening due to the program.

"This grant will help ensure the MicroEnterprise Institute continues to provide entrepreneurs valuable education and experiences that can inspire and build better lives and communities," said Iwan Mohamed, West Florida regional president for Truist. "With each graduating class, Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida strengthens the network of small businesses in our region and helps our communities thrive."

About Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is a regional nonprofit organization committed to serving people with disabilities and disadvantages by providing life-changing opportunities toward independence. In 2020, Goodwill SWFL provided assistance to nearly 25,000 individuals in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades and Hendy counties. For more information about Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, visit www.goodwillswfl.org.