BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – June 27, 2023 – United Way of Central Maryland and The Lonely Entrepreneur (TLE), a New York-based non-profit that provides individuals with entrepreneurial skills and support, have partnered to create an innovative program to empower entrepreneurs throughout Greater Baltimore.
Powered by United Way of Central Maryland’s new Social Impact Accelerator, the initiative provides aspiring entrepreneurs with free access to The Lonely Entrepreneur Learning Community, a one-stop shop for the knowledge, tools and support needed to start or grow a business. The platform is provided free to entrepreneurs in central Maryland through the support of United Way along with corporate and philanthropic partners with a focus on their equity, diversity and corporate social responsibility goals.
The offerings of the United Way and Lonely Entrepreneur Learning Community partnership will be open initially to United Way’s Changemaker Challenge alumni. In 2021, Changemakers received a combined $500,000 in grants to create programs that benefit residents in the region. Grantees included Alston for Athletes, B-360, Ballet After Dark, The Harford Community College Foundation, Improving Education, Kits to Heart, The Pro Bono Counseling Project, Safe Alternative Foundation for Education, Inc., Sharp Dressed Man, and Sober Truth.
In addition to helping entrepreneurs in underserved communities, The Lonely Entrepreneur enables corporations, nonprofits, economic development organizations and individuals to provide the funding needed to support the entrepreneurs of their choice in line with their organizational objectives.
“We are committed to supporting and amplifying voices of change in our communities – and empowering entrepreneurs with the skills they need is essential to unlocking their power,” said Franklyn Baker, president and CEO, United Way of Central Maryland. “This is especially true in our underserved communities. The Lonely Entrepreneur program advances our goal to close the racial wealth gap while giving corporate and philanthropic partners the opportunity to put essential tools for entrepreneurial success in the hands of community members driving social impact and innovation.”
“Many business owners have limitless potential, but many more lack access to the training and capital to turn their passion into success,” said Michael Dermer, founder of The Lonely Entrepreneur. “Our program gives successful corporations and philanthropies the opportunity to do whatever they can to support these businesses.”
To learn more about The Lonely Entrepreneur, visit LonelyEntrepreneur.org.
United Way of Central Maryland helps the working poor and those in poverty access basic needs like housing, healthcare, jobs, and education through programs that promote equity, create opportunity, and improve the lives of our neighbors and the neighborhoods they call home. For nearly 100 years, United Way has tackled emerging and longstanding needs in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard counties. Learn more at uwcm.org.
About The Lonely Entrepreneur 501(c)(3)
The Lonely Entrepreneur seeks to unlock the potential of 1 million entrepreneurs worldwide. The Lonely Entrepreneur empowers entrepreneurs and provides corporate, non-profit, social responsibility and community efforts to provide individuals the opportunity to acquire entrepreneurial skills and have a better chance of bringing their visions to life. For more, please visit https://lonelyentrepreneur.org
