Page 2 - The Micro Business Development Program - E.M.B.R.A.C.E. 2020

E.M.B.R.A.C.E.
Project E.M.B.R.A.C.E.
In response to COVID-19, The Vermont Community Action Partnership and The Micro
Business Development Program have come together to establish the E.M.B.R.A.C.E.
(Economic Micro Business Recovery Assistance for the COVID-19 Epidemic) direct grant
program to support Vermont micro businesses owned by an individual with a “household”
income at or under 80% of state median “household” income. Our statewide partnership is
united by our mission to provide access to the basic needs that are foundational to eliminating
poverty. Our agencies are deeply rooted in Vermont communities, big and small, rural, and
urban. The Vermonters we jointly serve are those most impacted by the economic crisis and are
in dire need of secure and sustainable employment!
Our Record of Success and Expertise in Growing Vermont Micro Businesses
The history of Project E.M.B.R.A.C.E. began in 1988, with the launch of the Micro Business
Development Program (MBDP) within all five community action agencies across the state.
The goal of MBDP is to educate, coach and support low and moderate-income Vermonters
to achieve the dream of entrepreneurship. Clients often have unique barriers to traditional
employment including negative credit history, criminal records, mental health needs, physical
disabilities, and extremely low income. MBDP coaches across the state are uniquely skilled
in an integrated systems approach to support the path to stability and sustained employment.
Clients receive “wrap around services” within the Community Action Network and partner
agencies that can help them reach their full potential with dignity: including food, heat, shelter,
mental health counseling and financial literacy. The Micro Business Development Program
serve an average of 835 individual entrepreneurs each year!
Project E.M.B.R.A.C.E. Micro Business Development Reimagined in the
Crisis of COVID-19
The Vermont Community Action Partnerships response builds on the proven success of
the MBDP program and takes it to a new level to meet the anticipated challenge of a post-
COVID-19 recovery. Our partnership is poised to be a powerful force in rebuilding Vermont’s
economy by ensuring that upward mobility is within reach for the low-income Vermonters
who struggle the most even in the best of economic times. We adapted to the existential threat
of COVID-19 by the rapid development and launch of Project E.M.B.R.A.C.E. under stay-at-
home orders by utilizing the existing Micro Business Development Program network. We have
approved 436 micro business grants averaging $4,764 and totaling over $2,000,000.
Page 2 - E.M.B.R.A.C.E. Introduction
E.M.B.R.A.C.E.
™ We supercharged the Micro Business Development Program by increasing capacity with
five new counselors needed to meet the growing demand of existing and future micro-
entrepreneurs.
™ The statewide Project E.M.B.R.A.C.E Coordinator supported the counselors in achieving
program outcomes, produced public data and reporting, led the development of the MBDP.
org website and implemented marketing/outreach efforts to increase the program’s visibility.
™ Created the MBDP.org website in partnership with ETERNITY MARKETING a local
Vermont based company. Businesses in today’s technological society require that
entrepreneurs be digitally literate. MBDP.org is a central location and access point for all
MBDP clients to connect with a region specific counselor (and coaching in a remote setting),
education tailored to micro businesses, webinars, videos, templates for budgeting, and other
tools for success.
Results from Round #1- Project E.M.B.R.A.C.E. met all goals and objectives in less than
60 days. We processed and distributed 206 individual grants to micro businesses totaling
$1,011,879.37.
Results from Round #2- In less than one month from November to December, the 2nd project,
E.M.B.R.A.C.E. processed and approved an astounding 230 applications for an additional
$1,088,120.63 in approved grants with no increased administration cost.
Investing in Vermont micro business today will help grow our economy tomorrow!
The following applicant information and statistics were gathered from the E.M.B.R.A.C.E. grant
application and follow up survey. The statistics paint a picture of the individuals we served and
the important role of Project E.M.B.R.A.C.E. at this pivotal moment in 2020.
E.M.B.R.A.C.E. Introduction - Page 3