2011-12 Sam’s Club Step Up for Small Business
Congratulations to the 2011-2012 Sam’s Club Step Up for Small Business Top 8 Finalists!!
-Anderson University-SC
-Belmont University
-Flagler College
-Northwest Arkansas Community College
-Penn State Altoona
-University of Kansas Main Campus
-Texas A and M International University
-West Texas A and M University
The SIFE mission is to bring together the top leaders of today and tomorrow to create a better, more sustainable world through the positive power of business. Considering relevant social, environmental and economic factors, SIFE teams effectively empower people in need by applying business and economic concepts and an entrepreneurial approach to improve the quality of life and standard of living for their target audience.
The Sam’s Club Step Up for Small Business Project Partnership provides the opportunity for SIFE teams and Sam’s Club Associates to work together to effectively empower small businesses to raise their quality of life and standard of living through improved business and environmentally sustainable practices.
Through this Challenge, SIFE teams will:
- Commit to a partnership with a Sam’s Club
- Identify a Small Business(s) to partner with in the project
- Complete projects addressing the following areas:
- Overall Business Practices and
- Waste & Recycling and/or
- Energy and Water
Please note for 2011-2012, you are not required to have a local Sam’s Club to participate. Teams without a local club will be connected with a Sam’s Club Associate and will utilize current technology, i.e. conference calls, skype, etc. to connect.
All SIFE USA teams are eligible. Up to 175 teams will receive grants of $1,500 through SIFE USA. Teams wishing to receive a grant should submit an online application by October 28, 2011. The application will consist of contact information for your team, partnering Small Business, a detailed project concept, list of expected expenses for project implementation and contact information for the partnering Sam’s Club and Associate, if applicable. If involved last year, reconnect with your Sam’s Club to verify their partnership for this year. If you do not have a connection with a Sam’s Club, SIFE and Sam’s Club will facilitate a connection after you submit an application.
Final Impact Reports submitted for the Sam’s Club Step Up for Small Business will be evaluated by a panel of representatives from Sam’s Club. Eight finalist teams will receive $1000 and a plaque. New this year, one small business assisted by each of the eight finalists will also be awarded $1000 and a plaque. Additionally for each of the eight finalist teams, one small business representative as well as one Sam’s Club Associate will receive a paid trip to the 2012 SIFE USA National Exposition in Kansas City, Missouri, May 22-24. The Grand Prize winners will be announced at the 2012 SIFE USA National Exposition.
For questions, please contact:
Courtney Reiter
Project Specialist, SIFE USA
417-575-3562
