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Community Organizations and their Impact on the Detroit Neighborhood Solar Initiative

  Solar panels at the DTE O’Shea Solar Park in Detroit. Credit: © Kelly Jordan and Mandi Wright / USA TODAY NETWORK [1] In June 2023, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced a new initiative to help the city further its sustainability goals while simultaneously making productive use of its numerous acres of unoccupied land. [1] The plan: convert 250 acres of vacant land in nine Detroit neighborhoods into solar panel farms to power the city’s 127 municipal buildings. [2] The plan was supported at its outset by long-time climate activists who praised the initiative as a way to fight the climate crisis through the rapid and equitable decarbonization of vulnerable households. [3] In addition to providing a source of renewable energy for municipal buildings, the plan also promised to provide $25,000 in community benefits including home repairs, solar power, and parks and recreation improvement for every acre of solar farm assembled. [4] However, in addition to the enthusiasm exhibited by
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Pursuing Microfinancing as a Small Business in Michigan

  Do you need access to proper funding to get your business off the ground? Small business owners can secure funding via loans from traditional financial institutions; however, microfinancing is another option that could be the right choice for your business. While the term “microfinance” might evoke images of rural women’s collectives in developing countries, microlending is a real option for small business owners throughout Michigan and has a long and storied history in the United States. Sometimes, a business just does not qualify for a traditional loan because it is too new or too small. In that case, microfinance can help you access the funding you need to continue your business operations. What are Microloans? Microloans are typically offered in amounts up to $50,000 and provide funding to underserved entrepreneurs, such as women, veterans, and entrepreneurs of color. They are available through certain nonprofit, community-based organizations that are experienced in lending a
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Nonprofit Organizations: Do I Really Need this Policy? Part 2

This article is the 2nd post in a series on key policies nonprofits should adopt. The previous edition addresses a conflict of interest policy and now we will dive into two additional policies: “document retention & destruction” and “whistleblowers & retaliation policies.” In this blog you will learn about why these policies are important and what should be included in them. Your organization can either vote to adopt these policies as separate documents, or adopt a version of the policies into your bylaws. If you choose to adopt a policy as a part of your bylaws, it will be more solidified in your governing documents and will have greater voting requirements to change them in the future. Make sure you read the 1st post to understand how your organization's bylaws and articles of incorporation lay the foundation for a properly functioning nonprofit. Let’s get started on why these two sets of policies are important and why you should consider adopting them. 1. Document R
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A Guide to Alternative Dispute Resolution for Small Community-based Entities

  Operators of small businesses or nonprofits may experience legal disputes every now and then. Whether from a resentful employee, an injured visitor on the premises, or a disgruntled contractor, costs for these disputes can easily arise in the cost of running a community enterprise. These disputes can be frustrating, and the exorbitant legal fees required to defend the small business or organization may not be warranted. For this reason, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) has become an increasingly promising option for settling small business disputes.   ADR refers to methods and techniques used to resolve disputes outside of traditional and adversarial courtroom litigation. In addition to serving as a potential means of avoiding the expense, delay, and uncertainty associated with traditional litigation, ADR is intended to improve communication between parties. ADR allows for creative solutions to disputes that might better meet the needs of the parties.   Options for Alternative D
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Is Going ‘Cashless’ Good for Business?

  Detroit Businesses could be fined if they do not accept  cash under new ordinance Published by CBS Detroit  As of 2023, the Detroit City Council instituted restrictions on businesses regarding cashless operations for the purpose of protecting consumers that do not have access to bank accounts or cashless services. This ‘prohibition on cashless operations’ primarily applies to businesses which offer consumer goods or food for sale at a physical location. For instance, a bodega, a food truck, or a restaurant. Technological advances have broadened the payment options available. The decision to accept or refuse these options can have significant consequences for small businesses and their customers. Debit and credit card payments are common, and merchants are typically charged a 1.5-3.5% fee for credit card payments . Businesses like Stripe and Square offer point of sale technologies that mitigate the physical bulk of cash registers, charging businesses 2.6%-2.9% per transaction. As
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