The FINANCIAL -- BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 25, 2011 – Sam’s Club today announced it is
donating $10,000 to the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) as
the result of a campaign held during National Small Business Week.
The national campaign resulted in 11 local donations across the U.S., which were determined by the number of volunteer hours logged by club managers working in small businesses in their communities.
The Sam’s Club managers in the Lansing area volunteered for a variety of small businesses ranging from a car dealership and restaurants to a golf course.
“Through our relationship with small business owners that shop in our clubs and are also involved with the SBAM, we’ve developed a better understanding of what they mean to small businesses throughout Michigan,” said Chris Axer, market manager.
The Small Business Foundation of Michigan (SBFM), operated in connection with the SBAM, raises funds for projects aimed at stimulating robust entrepreneurial change, vibrancy and culture.
The grant from Sam’s Club will aid in SBFM’s annual Entrepreneurship Score Card, which is aimed at helping policymakers understand how entrepreneurship is faring in an overall Michigan economic environment that continues to struggle for traction. It will also help implement tools needed for “economic gardening,” a style of economic development that embraces an entrepreneurial culture supporting the establishment and growth of small businesses.
“Anytime our community points out that we’re doing something right for small businesses, it is rewarding,” said Dan Mahoney, chief operating officer of SBFM. “We were thrilled that Sam’s Club wanted to support our efforts.”
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