Michigan Women Forward is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the economic empowerment of women and minorities.
- We provide small business microloans and support to entrepreneurs to help them grow their business and our communities.
- We celebrate and advocate for female leadership throughout our state.
Our Story
Michigan Women Forward was founded in 1986 by Mary Jo Pulte and a group of 30 determined women. At the time, only 3% of philanthropic dollars went to causes that improved the lives of women and girls. Their goal was to improve that imbalance and work toward a brighter future for Michigan women.
The organization—named Michigan Women’s Foundation at its founding—became the only public, statewide foundation dedicated to championing the economic prospects and professional accomplishments of Michigan women.
Since our founding, we have worked with our corporate and foundation partners to make Michigan a state where women feel empowered to pursue their passions and have equal opportunity to succeed in those pursuits.
Over the years of working to improve the lives of Michigan women, we realized that many women dreamed of achieving financial independence through entrepreneurship. They wanted to build their own small business but didn’t have the resources, knowledge or capital to get started.
This set the course for us to become a CDFI, Community Development Financial Institution, which allows us to provide capital funding to small businesses to help promote economic growth and investment in Michigan neighborhoods. As a CDFI lender, we help fill that gap for women and BIPOC entrepreneurs who aspire to run a successful small business, build generational wealth and invest in their communities.
As a result, Michigan Women Forward has heightened its mission. We expand possibilities through our celebrations and recognition of female leaders and trailblazers. We invest in the dreams of female and BIPOC entrepreneurs. We create opportunities for ALL.
Our work has positive ripples. When we inspire women and invest in minority entrepreneurs, we transform our culture and our state. We don’t just move Michigan Women Forward. We move Michigan Forward.
Our Mission
Michigan Women Forward is a community development financial institution whose mission is to expand economic opportunity for women and entrepreneurs of color by providing access to capital and business resources. Michigan Women Forward celebrates outstanding women by honoring their leadership contributions to the community, economy and our state.
Our Vision
Michigan Women Forward’s vision is to create an inclusive economy for the state of Michigan where women and people of color can create viable businesses that build long-term sustainable wealth.
2023 Community Impact Report
Download our latest impact report for data and details about the work we’ve done in the past year.
