Overview

Why are you interested in becoming a Trustee?

We have served as a Trustee for the past several years, which fits perfectly into our work to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in Baltimore. Through our work, we know first-hand about the real struggles Baltimore small business owners and prospective entrepreneurs face particularly around accessing adequate capital. We are updating this form as we've recently rebranded to Community Wealth Builders (we used to be Strong City's Community Wealth Building Initiative).

What is the mission of your organization?

Community Wealth Builders mission is to foster more equitable, inclusive, sustainable neighborhood economies by promoting and catalyzing community wealth building models and strategies across Baltimore City. We are fiscally-sponsored by Strong City Baltimore. Established in 1969, Strong City Baltimore (formerly Greater Homewood Community Corporation, or GHCC) is a grass-roots, nonprofit organization with a mission to build and strengthen neighborhoods and people across Baltimore.

Borrower Due Diligence

How will you decide who to endorse as a borrower? What due diligence will you conduct?

We will rely on a process similar to the one we have been employing for our other, well-established programs. As part of the screening process, we ensure applicants can coherently and effectively articulate their vision and plan, and review key documents such as business development plans, fundraising plans, and market analyses. As an entity that has been on the ground for so many years working closely with local businesses, we also benefit from the deep relationships we have with enterprises and entrepreneurs.