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The Social Enterprise Collective:

A new pilot program to provide intensive support for early-stage, mission-locked Michigan businesses.

Social Enterprises serve as pivotal agents of change, adeptly addressing pressing social challenges while simultaneously fostering job creation, spurring economic advancement, and fortifying community resilience.

The Social Enterprise Collective is designed to offer training and technical assistance in a critical growth stage—the first 5 years of development.

Grant Opportunity:

GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED

For the purpose of this grant, a social enterprise is defined as a for-profit or non-profit organization, that has a social and/or environmental mission, and operates as a self-sustaining business selling a product and/or service. Unlike traditional businesses that focus on private profit, social enterprises are mission-locked, reinvesting in their mission.  

TRAINING VOUCHERS

Grantees will be provided with one grant funded voucher from CSED to cover participation in any or all Workshops. Grantees are encouraged to participate in all Workshops and may only apply for Technical Assistance in an area of business if they have completed the corresponding Workshop – including Workshops held during the Kickoff event.   

Vouchers hold no cash value and are not transferable. 

Makeup sessions for organizations unable to participate in scheduled workshops are not available.  

Kickoff Event and Cohort Orientation, In-Person Workshops

The Kickoff event is limited to one attendee per grantee organization, sessions may not be divided between different individuals across the two days. 

  • Entrepreneurial Readiness 

  • Business Plan Development 

  • Legal Foundations for Launching Your Social Enterprise 

  • How to Conduct a Feasibility Assessment 

  • Best Practices in Disability Hiring for Employment Related Social Enterprises 

Individual Virtual Workshops

Grantee organizations may choose to send different team members to each virtual workshop, but attendance is limited to one attendee per organization. 

  • Business modeling for a New Social Enterprise 

  • Branding for Social Enterprises 

  • Marketing for Social Enterprises 

  • Pitching Your Social Enterprise Vision 

  • Strategic Planning 

  • Reporting and Recording Metrics 

  • Funding Due Diligence Preparation 

Click Here for Training Workshop Dates and Details

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) VOUCHERS

Grantees will receive grant funded vouchers from CSED to cover 1-on-1 Technical Assistance with designated Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).  

Grantees must have completed the specific Workshop related to the area of business they would like further Technical Assistance with.  

Grantees may request transfer of voucher credits from one SME to another, all transfers must be pre-approved in writing by CSED.  

For any technical assistance requested beyond the voucher amount, the grantee will be responsible for paying the SME directly. Rates are determined by SMEs.  

Vouchers hold no cash value and are not transferable.  

Credits must be used by February 20, 2026. For any unused voucher credits, the value will be forfeited.  

Millie Chu, Global Entrepreneurship Business Lab 

  • Grantees eligible for 8 hours of TA (equivalent to 760 voucher credits) 

Shonna L. Hawkins, DeYampert & Hawkins – The DeYampert Law Company PLLC 

  • Grantees eligible for 8 hours of TA (equivalent to 2,400 voucher credits) 

Carmen Dahlberg 

  • Grantees eligible for 8 hours of TA (equivalent to 960 voucher credits) 

Gingras Global  

  • Ongoing Funding Reporting for Social Enterprises Package (equivalent to 6,000 voucher credits) 

  • Includes Assessment, Quarterly Reports, and CAM X Pro Analysis for assisting with evaluating key signals investors may look for 

Click Here for Technical Assistance Details

REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS

Grantees are eligible for up to $5,275 in additional grant funding for reimbursement of expenses used to support the launch and growth of their businesses. Examples of funding use may include: website design, research & development, and equipment purchases. Funding may not be used for general operating or administrative expenses. 

Grantees may submit requests for reimbursable expenses incurred between September 16, 2025 and February 20, 2026 at any time during the grant period. Funding requests will be reviewed and approved on an individual basis.  

PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

Grantees will receive one grant funded voucher for a one-minute promotional video from Good Fruit Video. 

Vouchers hold no cash value and are not transferable. 

For any unused voucher, the value will be forfeited.