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Northern Initiatives and Our Customers are On the Move

Battle Creek Food Prize

The Battle Creek Food Prize is back and we couldn't be happier! Food Prize is a food event and pitch competition held with 12 finalists…

Northern Initiatives Awarded Grant to Get Entrepreneurs Capital-Ready

Michigan’s largest CDFI will connect small business owners with resources throughout the state MARQUETTE, MICH., Oct. 10, 2023 – Northern Initiatives, a nonprofit lender working…

Community foundations, nonprofit lenders blending strengths

Through our partnership with Issue Media, this story is in several publications around the state. Community foundations have found a satisfying way to invest in…

Nisu Bakery serving up a slice of Finnish culture

Great story in the Mining Gazette about Nisu Bakery and Cafe in Hancock. Irma Boyd’s Cardamom Pulla Braid won first place…

BC’s Café Rica and GR’s Natural Maya inspired by native culture, supported by Northern Initiatives

This story is part of a series in Second Wave SW Michigan that uplifts equitable small businesses and its ecosystem in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Grand…

Northern Initiatives, Start Garden awarded $3 million

Grant will help underserved entrepreneurs throughout Michigan Northern Initiatives, a nonprofit lender, and Start Garden, a business incubator, have been awarded $3 million from the…

First woman-owned non-dairy frozen dessert shop in the state opens in Wyoming Park

Kalene McElveen is doing more than bringing delicious desserts to Wyoming Park. She's helping revitalize a neighborhood with her Tastefull Vegan frozen dessert shop. According…

Kalamazoo’s RJ’s Printing legacy grows with new chapter and new owner

Imagine being perfectly suited to take over a well-established, highly respected small business but you must first get over two big hurdles: arrange financing worth…