Jesse Lockett-Ell is the very proud owner at Jesse’s Café. Jesse had always wanted his own cafe so he went looking for support. He discovered MEDA, one of MicroGrants partner agencies who also works with people of potential. The Metropolitan Economic Development Association is a Twin Cities nonprofit organization dedicated to helping entrepreneurs of color succeed, and Jesse Lockett-Ell is one of MEDA’s clients. Jesse’s lifelong dream was to open his own restaurant, and with MEDA & MicroGrants’ help, his dream is becoming a reality.
Jesse said, “I’ve always loved to cook and I graduated from the Cordon Bleu in 2003. Since meeting with MEDA, I’ve been able to go back to school, this time taking small business courses that will assist me in understanding the management and financial side of things.” Working with Jesse, MEDA knew he would be a good investment as he had a dream of self-sufficiency and the desire and action to make it happen. So they nominated him for a MicroGrant. We awarded Jesse a $1000 MicroGrant to give him a financial boost on his exciting journey toward independence.
MicroGrants grantmaking is currently paused as we work through internal operations and determine next steps for the program.
For our partner agencies: We will continue to share updates directly with you as more information becomes available.
For individuals seeking a grant: MicroGrants does not distribute grants directly to individuals. Our grants are distributed through nonprofit partner agencies that identify and support eligible recipients. If you are seeking financial assistance, we recommend contacting one of our partner agencies directly to learn about available resources and eligibility.