Mission
The Community Capital Club (C3) will seek out projects that enhance the economic prosperity of the Blue Water Region. Similar to other “angel investor groups” C3 aims to support projects that build community capital and enhance quality of place. We are also interested in supporting opportunities for business growth, development and expansion within our downtowns if they add to the vibrancy and prosperity of the community.
Members of C3 are passionate about business and about their community. Contributing to the general prosperity of the region by helping worthwhile early stage and growth companies succeed is one of the primary goals of C3.
C3 does not consider grant requests. C3 will only consider investing in for-profit businesses. Nonprofit businesses may not apply to C3. Nonprofits based in St. Clair County may seek a short-term loan from the Community Foundation. These requests are considered on a case-by-case basis, and begin with sending an email, summarizing your project and request, to Randy Maiers at randy@stclairfoundation.org.
Areas of Focus:
At C3 we look for investments which will complement the Community Foundation's focus on Community & Economic Growth & Prosperity. We’re looking to invest in entrepreneurial teams with big ideas and a need for capital to turn their ideas into great companies. We expect all applicants to have a significant presence in St. Clair County.
Submitting a Plan
To begin, we ask you to attach a 3-4 page executive summary of your business. The summary does not need to be fancy or long but should address the key business questions including:
- Where exactly is the project located?
- Does the project meet our definition of an Anchor Project?
- Great places that serve as economic anchors that spur visitor spending on evenings and weekends, helps grow nearby small businesses and serves as an amenity and asset to the surrounding neighborhood
- What nearby assets and amenities will this project compliment?
- Local ownership of the facility or building
- Who owns the land and/or building?
- We prefer not to fund tenants
- We will likely not fund projects with ownership outside of the County
- Bricks & Mortar and buildout are preferred over operations
- Building and/or land acquisition will be considered
- The strength and history of the person's connection and history to the area
- We want to reduce the risk of the person and their business moving out of our region
- What level of direct experience do they have in this line of business
- Is this a hobby to the applicant or a career?
- To what extent is the applicant working with or collaborating with other local stakeholders? What proof do we have of their collaboration and partnerships?
- How will the project attract visitors and tourists in the evenings and on weekends?
- How does the project complement the sense of place in the community?
- Does it address a priority area of either of the Community Foundation or Blue Meets Green?
- If yes, which area(s)?
We don't sign NDA's, but your information and materials will not be shared outside of the Community Foundation without your permission. It is important to note that in addition to our C3 group, the Community Foundation itself, through its main Finance & Investment Committee, also considers local loans and investments from time-to-time.
Phase Two Applications will be by invitation only and will require substantially more information.
To apply for funding please contact Randy Maiers via email at randy@stclairfoundation.org
Process
- The manner in which C3 chooses to invest in projects will depend completely on the unique circumstances of each selected project, and whether the goal is a direct financial return or a return of community capital.
- Project screening: potential projects may be submitted at any time. Screenings and initial evaluation of projects will be done confidentially by a subcommittee of C3. Only those projects screened and approved by the C3 subcommittee will be allowed to make formal presentations.
- C3 occasionally hosts Men's Night events (100 Men) which help bring people together in a fun setting to increase awareness of, and involvement in, the Community Foundation's broad efforts at increasing the impact of philanthropy in our region.
- Men’s Night proceeds are generally split between an immediate gift to a local nonprofit organization, program or project; and an investment into a chosen C3 project that returns a more direct return on investment or return on community capital. This is the only time C3 makes grants to area nonprofits.