Goodwill SWFL receives $46,500 from Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation for small business program

CAPE CORAL, Fla. - Jan. 18, 2022 - PRLog -- The Richard M. Schulze Foundation awarded a $46,500 grant to support ten courses offered by the MicroEnterprise Institute in 2022 to help 120 aspiring entrepreneurs with limited incomes. The MicroEnterprise Institute is one of the community supports offered by Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida (SWFL).

"Quality educational programs like this not only help individuals succeed, but they also help communities thrive," said Mary Beth Geier, Florida Director of the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. "We are proud of our investment in Goodwill SWFL MicroEnterprise Institute as it helps aspiring entrepreneurs realize the American dream. As the founder and chairman emeritus of Best Buy, Mr. Schulze is the ultimate entrepreneur and is always drawn to innovative ideas and solutions."

In 2019, Goodwill SWFL recognized the Foundation as philanthropist of the year for its support since 2015. In 2020, because of COVID-19, the grant supported MicroEnterprise and Community Resource Centers.

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. In the past 11 years, 958 aspiring entrepreneurs have graduated from one of the 103 courses. Since 2018, 497 businesses have been started or strengthened due to the program.

To find out more about the MicroEnterprise Institute, contact Sandra Plazas at (239) 995-2106 Ext. 2304 or email sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org.

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.