Northern Initiatives

10/14/2026

Is there anything more invigorating than honoring incredible women? We'll see you at tonight's Grand Rapids Chamber Athena Awards Celebration, where awards for leadership in many forms will be presented. Huzzah!

https://ow.ly/RO5Z50ZVRw3

10/12/2026

Our offices are closed today as we honor Indigenous People's Day.

10/08/2026

¡La ceremonia de inauguración de la nueva West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce fue estimulante e inspiradora! Estamos muy entusiasmados con este maravilloso nuevo centro, que buscará albergar todas las oportunidades, los defensores y los sueños que nuestra comunidad está construyendo. ¡Echa un vistazo a las preciosas flores de Mitten Floral LLC.! ¡Vamos con todo!

The ribbon-cutting for the new West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was invigorating and inspiring! We are so excited for this wonderful new center that will try to hold all the opportunities, advocates, and dreams our community is building. Check out the gorgeous flowers from Mitten Floral LLC. Let's GOOOO!

10/07/2026

$60,000 can make a big difference for a Michigan small business.

That's the average size of a Northern Initiatives loan, and we lend about $9.5 million to small businesses across Michigan each year.

In a new American Banker story, President and CEO Elissa Sangalli discusses why affordable capital is so important to CDFIs and how Michigan's investment in CDFIs can help organizations like Northern Initiatives expand their impact even as the sector faces significant headwinds nationally.

It's also a testament to something important: CDFIs continue to have bipartisan support here in Michigan.

Read the story: https://ow.ly/oaPl50ZVnSg (subscription may be required)

More states are providing funding to community development financial institutions, which are contending with hostility from the Trump administration and challenges from high interest rates.

10/05/2026

Play ALL day! Andrea Vojtko and Olivia Drallette knew there was a need in Battle Creek because they couldn't find anywhere to take their own kids for quality play time. Voila! Mikey's Play Cafe, a vibrant, inclusive, welcoming space, is now open at the Lakeview Square Mall and the reviews are 🔥! The women, new to business, utilized that wonderful business ecosystem in BC, from Small Business Battle Creek to Northern Initiatives - Battle Creek cohorts — plus lots of friends and family support, to create their nonprofit. Read their success story: https://ow.ly/Ln7b50ZTu9e

10/02/2026

We will be at the Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology's Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference in beautiful Bellaire Monday and Tuesday and would love to see you. It's such a great time to talk about the business of farming, as everyone reflects on this season and plans for the next. This year's conference theme is Culture Keepers; the keynote speaker Monday is Rosebud Bear Schneider. https://www.smallfarmconference.com/

09/30/2026

You've heard us talk about the Business Self-Assessment in Initiate a lot, but that's because it is so useful. We encourage all our customers to take it, and use it as a baseline for learning. Initiate gives you a fun confetti screen when you finish, then gives you resources to work on.

Log on and start!
https://ow.ly/vPTK50ZR02n

09/29/2026

Congratulations, graduates! See you Thursday!

Thank you to the sponsors who are making ELEVATE possible.

Supporting local entrepreneurs takes more than a great idea. It takes a community willing to invest in people, businesses and the opportunities they are building.

This Thursday, we’ll celebrate 12 entrepreneurs who have spent the past eight months building their businesses, strengthening their skills and turning their ideas into action.

We’re grateful for the role our sponsors play in creating space for these entrepreneurs to learn, connect and grow. Your investment helps make opportunities like ELEVATE possible and supports the people who are helping shape the future of our community.

Thank you for being part of ELEVATE. We can’t wait to celebrate with you Thursday!

09/28/2026

We're looking forward to being in Benton Harbor Thursday for the Cornerstone Alliance Elevate Entrepreneurship Awards. Graduates of the Business Plan Certified program will be celebrated and Amelia and Kirby Briske, founders of the Historic Blue Dress Wedding Venue in Michigan, are the keynote speakers.