Enactus earns multiple grants for projects

  Wednesday, November 19, 2014 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

The Pittsburg State Enactus students have a lot on their plate, and they like it that way.

From numerous outreach efforts at local businesses to managing their own store, Krimson Kultuur, in downtown Pittsburg, Enactus students strive to make a positive impact on the community.

Their efforts were rewarded recently with a variety of grants that will help support their projects. They include:

* $1,120 Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas grant – This grant will help fund a new Krimson Kids program, in which PSU students will teach entrepreneurial skills and fair trade concepts to local elementary school students. The Enactus students will also promote giving and sharing, while also sharing with the students how Enactus helps people in need.

* $1,500 AB InBev Better World grant – This grant will assist Enactus in setting up recycling programs at six local businesses. The grant was created to help Enactus teams design and implement solutions to increase recycling at restaurants, bars and other businesses in the U.S.

* $1,500 Uncap Opportunities for Women grant – This grant, supported by the Coca-Cola Foundation, is aimed at helping Enactus empower women through collaboration with a community-based organization or small business owned by a woman. The Pitt State Enactus team is working with a local business, Odd Duck Soaps, in the development of a formal business plan.

* $1,500 Sam’s Club Step Up for Small Business – This grant assists Enactus teams mentor and improve businesses practices of small businesses in the U.S. Pitt State students are working with local business Golden Goodies in the development of financial and marketing plans for the business.

* $1,500 Walmart Women’s Economic Empowerment grant – This grant helps Enactus teams design and implement comprehensive workforce development programs and empower women to improve employability or further their careers. This grant will help the PSU Enactus team continue its Community Employment Program, which teaches job skills to unemployed adults and foster youth within Krimson Kultuur.

Enactus Adviser Suzanne Hurt said the grant money will be beneficial to the students as they continue to serve the community.

“The grants are very helpful,” Hurt said. “They allow the Enactus team to expand our efforts as we use social entrepreneurial skills to assist people and businesses in need, not just in southeast Kansas but around the world."