Our Successes

Investing in economic empowerment sets a direct path to the eradication of poverty and leads to inclusive economic growth. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and Foundation, with the support of SunTrust Banks, created a new program aimed to empower small businesses in Broward County’s most economically challenged zip codes.

Creating a Small Business Empowering Program

As a way to accomplish the purpose of Empower Broward, the Alliance founded a Center of Excellence model for small business. This center serves as a place where small businesses meet with a "coach" who interviews the businesses, determines where they are in their growth trajectory, and what service or services would help the business move to the next stage of success. This "coach" then refers the business to on-site professionals who help them navigate their questions or challenges. Examples of the types of professionals to which a business would be referred include: a troubleshooter for questions, lenders, attorneys, marketing advisers, accountants, or education partners where they receive free services or services at a discount depending on the strength of the business.