U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) Awards: DollarWise Innovation Grant

In 2018, the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity was awarded a $10,000 grant to fund the Turnaround Entrepreneurial Program.  The goal of this program is to create a pathway to entrepreneurship for citizens returning to the city after incarceration.  The Turnaround Entrepreneurial Program was a five-week program that focuses on defining the product or service, business plan basics, marketing and finances (both personal and business) and how they would impact a person’s business. It included partnering with local non-profit organizations that provide credit restoration and education for participants to establish financial literacy surrounding credit, cash, savings, loans and taxes. Program participants learned how to set financial goals for their business, while establishing one, two and five year financial forecasts that assists the entrepreneurs with preparing a budget for startup costs, cash flow and how to plan for the unexpected.  The one unique thing about the Turnaround Entrepreneurial Program is that participants received a stipend to infuse capital into their small business upon graduating from the program.

Supporting Link:

•   DollarWise: Mayors for Economic Mobility

USCM Awards Links:

•   Exceptional Commitment to the Arts
•   DollarWise Innovation Grant
•   Childhood Obesity Prevention Recognition Award

USCM Links:

•   About USCM
•   USCM Leadership
•   Call to Senate to Address Gun Violence
•   Compact to Advance Racial Equity

Organizational Advocacy Links:

•   U.S. Conference of Mayors
•   Climate Mayors
•   Resilient Cities Network
•   African American Mayors Association
•   National Nonpartisan Conversation on Voter Rights

Supporting Links:

•   Advocacy Intro Page
•   Executive Advocacy
•   Legislative Advocacy
•   Organizational Advocacy