{"id":157,"date":"2024-06-19T11:30:07","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T15:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/miwf.org\/?page_id=157"},"modified":"2024-09-30T14:39:29","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T18:39:29","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/miwf.org\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Michigan Women Forward"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"ghostkit-grid ghostkit-grid-gap-md ghostkit-grid-align-items-center\"><div class=\"ghostkit-grid-inner\">\n<div class=\"ghostkit-col ghostkit-col-md-12 ghostkit-col-7\"><div class=\"ghostkit-col-content is-layout-flow wp-block-grid-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/\">Michigan Women Forward<\/a> is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the economic empowerment of women and minorities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>We provide small business microloans and support to entrepreneurs to help them grow their business and our communities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We celebrate and advocate for female leadership throughout our state.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-col ghostkit-col-md-12 ghostkit-col-5\"><div class=\"ghostkit-col-content is-layout-flow wp-block-grid-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Michigan Women Forward Introduction\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/h7godVubvGQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/cropped-favicon.png\" alt=\"mwf logo favicon image\" class=\"wp-image-52\" style=\"width:200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/cropped-favicon.png 512w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/cropped-favicon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/cropped-favicon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/cropped-favicon-270x270.png 270w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/cropped-favicon-192x192.png 192w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/cropped-favicon-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/cropped-favicon-32x32.png 32w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-our-story\">Our Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Michigan Women Forward was founded in 1986 by Mary Jo Pulte and a group of 30 determined women. At the time, only 3% of philanthropic dollars went to causes that improved the lives of women and girls. Their goal was to improve that imbalance and work toward a brighter future for Michigan women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-grid ghostkit-grid-gap-md\"><div class=\"ghostkit-grid-inner\">\n<div class=\"ghostkit-col ghostkit-col-md-12 ghostkit-col-6\"><div class=\"ghostkit-col-content is-layout-flow wp-block-grid-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The organization\u2014named Michigan Women\u2019s Foundation at its founding\u2014became the only public, statewide foundation dedicated to championing the economic prospects and professional accomplishments of Michigan women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since our founding, we have worked with our corporate and foundation partners to make Michigan a state where women feel empowered to pursue their passions and have equal opportunity to succeed in those pursuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the years of working to improve the lives of Michigan women, we realized that many women dreamed of achieving financial independence through entrepreneurship. They wanted to build their own small business but didn\u2019t have the resources, knowledge or capital to get started.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-col ghostkit-col-md-12 ghostkit-col-6\"><div class=\"ghostkit-col-content is-layout-flow wp-block-grid-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>This set the course for us to become a CDFI, Community Development Financial Institution, which allows us to provide capital funding to small businesses to help promote economic growth and investment in Michigan neighborhoods. As a CDFI lender, we help fill that gap for women and BIPOC entrepreneurs who aspire to run a successful small business, build generational wealth and invest in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, Michigan Women Forward has heightened its mission. We expand possibilities through our celebrations and recognition of female leaders and trailblazers. We invest in the dreams of female and BIPOC entrepreneurs. We create opportunities for ALL.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Our work has positive ripples. When we inspire women and invest in minority entrepreneurs, we transform our culture and our state. We don\u2019t just move Michigan Women Forward. We move Michigan Forward.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-divider ghostkit-divider-type-solid ghostkit-custom-Z2s85jM\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center has-mwfbeige-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading script ghostkit-custom-Z2ftjOw has-x-large-font-size\" id=\"h-our-mission\">Our Mission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ghostkit-custom-2vP3Sl\">Michigan Women Forward is a community development financial institution whose mission is to expand economic opportunity for women and entrepreneurs of color by providing access to capital and business resources. Michigan Women Forward celebrates outstanding women by honoring their leadership contributions to the community, economy and our state.<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/our-mission.jpg\" alt=\"business open sign photo\" class=\"wp-image-215 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/our-mission.jpg 800w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/our-mission-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/our-mission-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/our-mission-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center has-mwfblue-background-color has-background\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/our-vision.jpg\" alt=\"workers at desk photo\" class=\"wp-image-216 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/our-vision.jpg 800w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/our-vision-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/our-vision-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/our-vision-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading script ghostkit-custom-ZBDTJ9 has-x-large-font-size\" id=\"h-our-vision\">Our Vision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ghostkit-custom-13VDR7\">Michigan Women Forward\u2019s vision is to create an inclusive economy for the state of Michigan where women and people of color can create viable businesses that build long-term sustainable&nbsp;wealth.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-divider ghostkit-divider-type-solid ghostkit-custom-Z24kaG\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-grid ghostkit-grid-gap-lg ghostkit-grid-align-items-center ghostkit-grid-justify-content-center\"><div class=\"ghostkit-grid-inner\">\n<div class=\"ghostkit-col ghostkit-col-md-12 ghostkit-col-lg-6 ghostkit-col-5 ghostkit-col-align-self-center\"><div class=\"ghostkit-col-content is-layout-flow wp-block-grid-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2023-community-impact-report\">2023 Community Impact Report<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Download our latest impact report for data and details about the work we\u2019ve done in the past&nbsp;year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-button-wrapper ghostkit-button-wrapper-gap-md\"><div class=\"ghostkit-button-wrapper-inner\">\n<a class=\"ghostkit-button ghostkit-button-sm ghostkit-custom-ZMGE1j\" href=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/2023-MWF-Impact-Report-V1.pdf\"><span class=\"ghostkit-button-text\">Download Report<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ghostkit-col ghostkit-col-md-12 ghostkit-col-lg-6 ghostkit-col-4 ghostkit-col-align-self-center\"><div class=\"ghostkit-col-content is-layout-flow wp-block-grid-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/2023-MWF-Impact-Report-V1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"611\" height=\"791\" src=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Julia-Working.jpg\" alt=\"community report guide cover image\" class=\"wp-image-1807\" srcset=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Julia-Working.jpg 611w, https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Julia-Working-232x300.jpg 232w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 611px) 100vw, 611px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our Story Michigan Women Forward was founded in 1986 by Mary Jo Pulte and a group of 30 determined women. At the time, only 3% of philanthropic dollars went to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1818,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-157","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.2 (Yoast SEO v26.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>About Michigan Women Forward - Michigan Women Forward<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Michigan Women Forward is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the economic empowerment of women and minorities.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/about-us\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"About Michigan Women Forward\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Michigan Women Forward is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the economic empowerment of women and minorities.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/about-us\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Michigan Women Forward\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MichiganWomenForward\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-09-30T18:39:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/banner-about-us.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"898\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/about-us\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/miwf.org\/about-us\/\",\"name\":\"About Michigan Women Forward - 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