Nonprofit business plan contest open for entries
Chaminade University’s Hogan Entrepreneurial Program is looking for new programs that embody its mission of “doing social things that make business sense” to compete in the Fourth Nonprofit Business Plan Competition. This competition is especially important, organizers say, in light of many Hawaii nonprofits’ scaling back or shutting down operations due to cuts in funding.
“It is a tough time for nonprofits, and it seems like the pool of grant money is drying up,” said Hogan Program Director, John Webster. “But generous contributions from American Savings Bank and Loomis-ISC have allowed us to once again invite nonprofit organizations to compete for prizes in their plans for new ventures that will benefit society.”
The prizes being offered are $12,000 for first, $6,000 for second and $4,000 for third prize and 100 hours of integrated communications service from Loomis-ISC for the fourth-place finisher. “We are particularly grateful to American Savings Bank for a $25,000 grant again this year," said Webster. “And we know that previous years’ winners have found the services provided by Loomis-ISC particularly helpful.”
A letter of intent to compete in the competition is due on Feb. 5. The deadline to submit business plans is March 4 and winners will be announced in April. For full competition details on how to help make new and innovative social enterprises a reality, call Ann Lujan, (808) 739-4673 or find them at www.chaminade.edu/Hogan.
Previous winners include:
2007
- Re-Use Hawaii, works to keep reusable building material out of the waste stream, and in use in our community.
- Papakolea Community Development Corporation, a full-service community center that arranges a broad scope of culturally relevant services including: entrepreneurial opportunities, health and human services, educational and recreational activities.
- Hina Mauka, provides prevention, treatment and recovery services to individuals, families and communities touched by alcoholism, chemical dependency and related challenges.
- Hope, Help & Healing Kauai, a faith-based sober living environment facility that provides for the rehabilitation of men and women struggling with substance abuse and life recover issues.
2005
- Healthy Options “Heat & Eat”, a project of Lanakila Meals-on-Wheels.
- Laulima Hana Enterprises, developed by the Arc of Hilo to provide training and utilize the skills of their clients. The project involved building a warehouse store for recycled building materials, starting a construction pre-apprenticeship training program, and setting up an incubator for entrepreneurial businesses with recycled products.
- Full Life Learning Center, providing an environment where every student is engaged in learning their chosen skills, and has frequent opportunity for important decision making.
- Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline, now the Domestic Violence Action Center, dedicated to alleviating the problem of domestic abuse in Hawaii.
2004
- Waianae Organic Farmers Cooperative, now known as Ma‘O Organic Farms, a farming venture is aimed at social entrepreneurship by growing organic food and training young leaders working for a sustainable Hawaii.
- Hawaiian Homestead Technology Inc., an initiative of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement to create and sustain technology jobs for residents in and around Native Hawaiian Homestead communities.
- Ka Hale Pomaikai, “The Blessed House,” the first and only Recovery Community Organization in the State of Hawaii, striving to become the first and only residential recovery program on Molokai.
Chaminade, the only Catholic university in Hawaii, offers 23 undergraduate degrees and five graduate degree programs, including a nonprofit MBA program. Seven degrees are newly available through accredited online courses. Chaminade also has several evening and weekend courses at satellite locations.
Chaminade's mission is to offer its students an education in a collaborative learning environment that prepares them for life, service and successful careers. For more information, go to www.chaminade.edu. For details about the business plan contest, contact Bobby Lambrix, (808) 853-3053 or bobby@loomis-isc.com.
