Millionaires stand to gain by funding nonprofits and creating jobs for the poor. By Joe Selvaggio JUNE 14, 2015 — 2:37PM The rich can get richer by investing in the poor. When I tell my rich friends this, their first reaction is: “Are you crazy?” Adam Smith, the founder of capitalism, taught us […]
Archive | Press

MicroGrants Featured on PBS
FRED DE SAM LAZARO, correspondent: The billboards and signs in the Jackson Heights section of Queens, New York, reflect dozens of languages, cultures, and nationalities. It’s an immigrant community of rich diversity, but also plenty of poverty. And there’s a store for that too: an American version of Bangladesh’s famous Grameen Bank. No fancy lobby […]
Think of the poor as part of the solution
It’s a pleasant relief to take a break from some of the issues of the past election– the rich paying more taxes, the freedom of choice in a marriage partner or an unwanted pregnancy, voter registration … but one issue was conspicuously absent in the political debates, and now I’d like to hear more […]
Microlending Makes Jump to Developed World, Funding Small U.S. Entrepreneurs
PBS Television features MicroGrants on NewsWeekly – Aired Sept. 2, 2012
Beautify cities for one and all
Article by: JOE SELVAGGIO Counterpoint While it is hard to disagree with Barbara Flanagan’s beautification projects (“A few pleas for pleasing updates around town,” April 2), I think I am up to the challenge. Barbara’s suggested improvements remind me of my hometown, Chicago. When I go back every summer, I take the “L” from a […]
2012 Telly Award
MicroGrants SELECTED A WINNER IN THE 33rd ANNUAL TELLY AWARD Minneapolis/St Paul, MN – The Telly Awards has named MicroGrants as a winner in the 33rd Annual Telly Awards for their piece titled MicroGrants Work. With nearly 11,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, this is truly an honor. The Telly Awards was […]
MicroGrants Extends Its Reach to Collier County, Florida!
JUSTIN’S PLACE GRADUATE PROUD RECIPIENT OF FIRST LOCAL MICROGRANT AWARD January 25, 2012 (Naples, FL) The successful Minnesota-based MicroGrants program designed to help those who have overcome life’s obstacles in pursuit of their dreams has extended its reach to Collier County. Collier County individuals struggling to make ends meet are awarded $1,000 to help them […]
Pay It Forward
“Social enterprise pioneer Joe Selvaggio started his newest venture, MicroGrants, to give ambitious people in need a boost—without getting them into debt.” By Gene Rebeck Read the article in Twin Cities Business Magazine
She remade her life, and is now trying to build a business in North Minneapolis
Shantae Holmes: “I’m feeling positive. I’m still committed to this goal of mine.” By Cynthia Boyd | Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011 A decade ago Shantae Holmes walked out of the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Shakopee, telling her jailers: “You won’t see me again. I’m not coming back.” She did return years later, but wearing a […]