Contact:
Lena T. Rodriguez – UEP
(816) 581-2900
LRodriguez@uepkauffman.org
Joy Torchia – Kauffman Foundation
(816) 932-1045
jtorchia@kauffman.org
Kauffman Foundation program gains support from Houston and Louisiana
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Jan. 11, 2011) –The Urban Entrepreneur Partnership Inc. (UEP), a national program of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, has been awarded two new grants benefiting entrepreneurs in Louisiana and Houston.
A $500,000 award from the State of Louisiana’s Office of Community Development Disaster Recovery Unit will facilitate expansion of the UEP’s unique one-to-one entrepreneurial coaching program in communities still recovering from the economic fallout of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. The new funding recognizes the UEP’s successful execution of a previous grant from Louisiana Economic Development (LED), used to assist low- and moderate-income businesses immediately after the storms through the UEP Gulf Coast Inc.
In addition, Houston Endowment has granted the UEP $227,000 to identify, analyze and recommend potential strategies and programs that will transform Houston area nonprofit organizations into more sustainable and entrepreneurial organizations. The grant will also fund development of a plan to improve the viability, profitability and scalability of minority businesses.
“The UEP is pleased to accept these significant awards, which will enable us to expand our business and community-building efforts in the Gulf Coast, while also developing programs to help Houston’s nonprofits and minority entrepreneurs start and grow more successful businesses,” said Daryl Williams, UEP CEO.
The UEP offers entrepreneurs a unique and comprehensive approach that combines intensive business education and one-to-one coaching by UEP staff and other experienced entrepreneurs. The program also uses a sophisticated, real-time data collection process to: assess business strengths and challenges; monitor business growth, development and profitability; track measurable outcomes; and report trends. Entrepreneurs participating in UEP programs also receive a personalized development plan incorporating relevant goals and outcomes for their businesses.
Entrepreneurs can access these UEP services through a choice of delivery systems—video coaching, a traditional brick-and-mortar model, or a hybrid of the two. Distinguished by a unique and innovative one-to-one coaching model, the UEP offers a suite of business solutions that help entrepreneurs grow their businesses, create new jobs and help to revitalize the economy.
Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the UEP is a program of the Kauffman Foundation and is supported by public, private and nonprofit-sector resources. For additional information on Urban Entrepreneur Partnership programs, contact Lena T. Rodriguez at (816) 581-2900 or LRodriguez@uepkauffman.org or visit www.uepkauffman.org.
