The Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) have announced the list of 1,373 nonprofit award winners of the MI Nonprofit Relief Fund (as of October 2023). This fund is a vital lifeline for Michigan’s charitable organizations grappling with the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund announced in February of 2023 and totaling $35 million, is dedicated to assisting small charitable nonprofit organizations that have been tirelessly serving their communities in these challenging times.
Flint Innovation Center, doing business as 100K Ideas, was awarded one of these grants by MNA. Here are their responses to a survey sent by the Courier in order to highlight this amazing business and the wonderful grant they were awarded:
1st-What is your name and title?
Brandee Cooke-Brown, executive director
1.**Organization Overview**: Can you provide a brief introduction about your organization?
100K Ideas is a nonprofit designed to support innovators who want to bring their ideas to market. We start at the idea-stage of business development and work hand-in-hand with our clients to bridge knowledge gaps and explore the appropriate next steps to move their idea forward. This work includes vetting ideas, services such as design and prototyping, workshop programming, mini-grants for early stage funding, a pitch competition, a retail storefront and resource center equipped with materials to help early-staged innovators move forward.
- **Location and Reach**: Where is your organization located and what geographical area do you serve?
We are located downtown Flint in the Dryden Building (601 S Saginaw St, Flint, MI 48502). We also host office hours at the LatinX Technology and Community Center (every Tuesday), Flint Development Center (every Wednesday) and Berston Field House (every Thursday). We support innovators across the state, but have a strategic focus on Flint and Genesee County.
- **Community Served**: Who are the primary beneficiaries of your services?
We truly serve everyone. We have worked with individuals as young as 11 and up to 90 through our programs. We believe there is no age limit on innovation and the pursuit of your passions. We are open to serve anyone and have worked to ensure barriers to programs are removed, paying specific attention to areas in which we can create equity in the entrepreneurship space.
- **Impact of COVID-19**: How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your organization and the community you serve?
COVID-19 impacted us, as it did the entire community. For us as an organization, we had to completely change our daily operations overnight and adjust to a remote work format. Our goal was to continue working with our clients, as much as we could. We did not want this pandemic to disrupt the momentum our clients were gaining. For those we served, our conversations began to include how they were managing during this time. We got to know many of those we work with on a personal level because we were seeing each other at home.
This also helped us to advocate for their needs. We really worked to connect people with resources they required or at least try to find what resources could be supportive. Lastly, on a more positive note, many people began putting time into their ideas and looked to 100K Ideas for help.
- **Current Challenges**: What are the most significant challenges your organization is facing right now?
Our current challenge is working to ensure everyone is aware of the work we do. We have been operational since 2017, but there are still a number of Flint residents who may not be aware of the support we offer. We want to make sure we are reaching every resident, so they know there is help in moving their ideas forward.
- **Grant Allocation Plans**: What are your plans for utilizing the MNA grant?
The grant from MNA will help us with some of our backend operational costs. These costs include building costs, payroll and utilities, all things that support the programs we provide.
The Michigan Nonprofit Relief Fund is managed jointly by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and the Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA). This publication is affiliated with Diverse News Association.
