Local nonprofit Rising Tide Capital (RTC) is a finalist for a $75,000 Citi Microentrepreneurship Award and could win with online voter support, officials say.

RTC has been nominated in the category of Microbusiness Development Organization for providing innovative services to support low-income communities. Since RTC was founded in 2004 by Harvard graduates Alex Forrester and Alfa Demmellash, the group has been working to empower low-income individuals and communities through entrepreneurship with programs like their 12-week Community Business Academy.

The group has received acclaim for their work and on April 3, Demmellash was honored by the city as one of 27 Women of Action.

The Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards honor entrepreneurs and spotlight organizations which do the kind of work RTC does to create jobs and boost individuals in low-income communities across the country. If selected, RTC will be awarded the final prize at the AEO National Conference which will take place on May 8 in St. Louis.

To vote for RTC, click here. Voting ends Friday, April 19.

On a related note, Mayor Jerramiah Healy recognized and presented proclamations to Jersey City’s five AmeriCorps VISTAs (seen above) who serve at Rising Tide Capital on April 9. The event marked the first Mayors Day of Recognition of National Service led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which was observed by 830 mayors around the country.

VISTA members commit to a year of full-time service to fight poverty with local government agencies or nonprofits across the country. At RTC, they have helped recruit hundreds of entrepreneurs for the Community Business Academy, planned RTC’s first fundraising gala and execute a statewide business pitch competition, the Start Something Challenge.

The honored VISTAs are Shantia Smith, Bryan Franklin, Ian Tyson, Grace Chung and Joel Philistin.

Photo courtesy of Grace Chung

via The Jersey City Independent http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2013/04/18/local-nonprofit-rising-tide-capital-finalist-for-75000-award/

Posted by TIE on 5:13 AM. Filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0