HOW IT ALL BEGAN
In 2021, at the height of the pandemic, MDC Iowa launched the INCUBATE business accelerator program. This innovative new program was the first of its kind in Eastern Iowa to focus on helping those in our community who are often underserved and underestimated. After years of helping the historically underrepresented remove barriers to accessing STEM degrees and career pathways, it was clear that we needed to expand our vision.
Fast forward three and a half long years and five life-changing cohorts later, our calling to serve those with aspirations of becoming successful small business owners produced dozens of new entrepreneurs and guided more than 50 existing businesses to grow to new heights. Helping those in our community achieve personal growth through economic development that created opportunities to build true wealth became our new measuring tool for program success and we were doing it!
HOW DID WE DO IT?
We believe that real change happens locally and no one is successful when they embark on a journey alone. Our community has always been stronger together when caring individuals use their privilege to help others. We knew others shared our vision for more equitable distribution of wealth but we struggled to elevate our message above the noise that still consumed the attention of those we were trying to reach. Being resilient is a requirement to do this type of work and is critical to being consistent in your efforts to bring about change. Our persistence paid off when the City of Iowa City and Hills Bank decided to become financial supporters of the program. This commitment enabled new benefits that were missing pieces to the original program started in 2021.
Now with true partners helping to underwrite the program, we could address the next BIG obstacle for many entrepreneurs... equitable access to lending resources. Without working capital, debt financing, or startup funds, most small businesses would fail to launch or never really get off the ground.
OUR PARTNERS IN CHANGE
Establishing a loan fund to support aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners is one of the most impactful gifts that we can provide to underserved and underestimated people in our community. Thanks to these courageous and generous partners, MDC Iowa can now provide small-dollar loans to a small amount of local entrepreneurs.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Each of us has a superpower that can be used to make a difference - your time, your kindness, your skills, and your voice are all things you can give in addition to a charitable gift. With a tax-deductible donation to MDC Iowa's Community Lending Fund, you can be part of real change in our local community and create unity where division wins by default. Make this your opportunity to help create a better way of life for people in our communities who are denied the chance to create something for the next generation of their families. Together we are better, and together we can make the change that we all want to see in our community.
