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• South Bend Elkhart Regional Partnership <br />• Financial institutions including CDFIs and local banks. <br />In addition, over 60 community business leaders, including CPAs, bankers, CDFI program <br />officers, experienced small business owners, financial advisors, insurance agents, and attorneys, <br />are involved in WEI's flagship SPARK program. These individuals act as subject <br />area experts for the SPARK sessions mentors who offer guidance to participants on their <br />individual challenges and advocates who open doors and increase participants' social capital. <br />Specific to the neighborhood pilot program, Thrive Michiana has offered residential and office <br />space to SPARK Entrepreneurs -in -Residence at a substantially reduced rate to establish their <br />presence in the neighborhood. The Near Northwest Neighborhood Corporation has also offered <br />one of their meeting rooms for class use twice weekly for a nominal fee. WEI also refers SPARK <br />graduates to a neighborhood development project lead by Kingdom Life Cathedral (Apostles <br />Mike and Tina Patton) and will continue to strengthen that relationship. <br />WEI's SPARK Women's Business Accelerator Neighborhood Pilot Outcomes <br />We expect approximately 45 women to enroll in SPARK in Spring 2020 (two cohorts of 15 <br />participants on the campus of Saint Mary's College, plus one cohort of 15 participants in the <br />NNN.) We expect 90% will complete the program and 75% will launch or grow a business. We <br />will achieve these results by helping SPARK participants develop a sound, detailed business <br />plan, in consultation with program staff and mentors; offer graduates a support network in the <br />form of ongoing mentoring by successful professionals and business owners; and, if needed, help <br />graduates secure a small business loan from a local bank that will allow them to launch their <br />business. <br />WEI will track the number of women who graduate from the program; the number who develop <br />a business plan or Business Model Canvas in conjunction with a mentor (a copy of all participant <br />business plans will be kept on file); and the number of new businesses launched by the three <br />cohorts before December 31, 2020 (through the Indiana Secretary of State's Business Services <br />Division's online database). Existing business growth will be tracked by new contracts, new <br />hires, and increased revenue evidenced by surveys. <br />WEI will also track the number of small -development related projects/businesses through post - <br />graduation surveys. All participants will be surveyed to measure business skills gained or <br />improved, new business connections made, and increased confidence as a businesswoman. <br />Pro. rarer Expenses <br />Salaries, Payroll Taxes & Benefits $ 6500 <br />5 <br />