KEY ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BENCHMARKS

The following benchmark data, arranged in chronological order, corresponds to the major milestones in our developmental timeline:

5/9/95
Receipt of officially filed copy of MBEI Non-Profit Articles of Incorporation from Michigan Department of Commerce Corporation & Securities Bureau.

5/23/96
Receipt of MBEI’s first corporate gift of underwriting from McClain Construction Company.

6/19/96
Receipt of first half of a $10,000.00 two-year grant from Burger King of West Michigan.

10/2/96
Receipt of MBEI 501(c)(3) Approval Document.

11/29/96
Receipt of $5000.00 development grant from Frey Foundation.

12/5/96
Initiated working relationship with First of America Bank toward the procurement of central business district offices for MBEI.

2/28/97
Receipt of MBEI Organizational Structure Matrix from MBEI Planning Charette Member, Nancy MacCartney - Director, Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department.

3/20/97
Development of MBEI Staff Employment Descriptions for Grand Rapids Foundation.

4/25/97
Receipt of $25,000.00 Feasibility Study grant from Grand Rapids Foundation.

4/30/97
Initiation of Trademark Protection process with Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett for MBEI Logo and Icon.

6/10/97
Official presentation of MBEI Initiative to the Grand Rapids City Commission for procurement of official statement of support.

6/16/97
Development of MBEI Feasibility Study Request for Proposal.

7/30/97
Receipt of letter from Amway Corporation confirming Amway’s forwarding of MBEI information to Amway Contributions Committee for funding consideration (c/o Mr. Dick DeVos-President and CEO, Amway Corp.).

8/24/97
Receipt of $2,000.00 development grant from D&W Foundation.

9/19/97
Receipt of $1,000.00 development grant from Ameritech.

10/2/97
Initiation of development of MBEI Internet website with Grant Communications Associates, Inc.

11/5/97
Received documentation of support for MBEI initiative from the City of Grand Rapids (c/o City Commissioner George K. Heartwell).

11/7/97
Initiated planning for fundraiser joint-venture with Broadway Theatre Guild’s March 1998 - April 1998 presentation of “DREAMGIRLS”.               

11/11/97
Received documentation of support for MBEI initiative from WWMT TV-3 (c/o Public Affairs Director Michael L. Smith).

12/97
Completed article for Grand Rapids Magazine End Quote entitled, “Between a Small Past and a Grand Future:  A Metropolis on the Fence”.

12/3/97
Initiated planning for fundraiser event after the historic December 18, 1997 VanAndel Arena Prince Concert.

12/22/97
Receipt of second half of a $10,000.00 two-year grant from Burger King of West Michigan.

12/97
Publication of major article by West Michigan Minority Business Report.

1/14/98
Initiated MBEI River City Classic Study Committee.

1/27/98
Participated in Public Input process of the Downtown Development Authority’s final consideration of a new ticketing agent of record for VanAndel Arena.

1/28/98
Completed MBEI Metro Grand Rapids Comprehensive Mass Transit Overview and Recommendations (presented to the Board of Directors of Grand Rapids Area Transit Authority.

2/3/98
Received support documentation for MBEI Mass Transit Overview and Recommendations from Grand Rapids City Commissioner George K. Heartwell.

3/12/98
Publication of major front-page article by Business Direct Weekly re: MBEI.

3/30/98
Initiated working relationship with Ron Foley - Director of Communications and Research, Urban League Detroit.

5/18/98
Presented MBEI Feasibility Study Synopsis to Grand Rapids Foundation.

7/24/98
Presented Michigan Bridge Building Forum event that hosted Urban League Detroit staff, Mr. Ron Foley and Mr. Van Adams - Male Responsibility Program Coordinator.

8/6/98
Publication of second major front-page article by Business Direct Weekly re: MBEI Michigan Bridge Building Forum.

8/21/98
Initiated working relationship with the African American-owned and -operated network marketing company, Generations Products, Inc.

4/21/99
Received “Letter of Intent to Participate” in MBEI River City Classic from Grand Valley State University.

5/3/99
Received “Letter of Intent to Participate” in MBEI River City Classic from Central State University.

5/17/99
Received “Letter of Intent to Participate” in MBEI River City Classic from Fisk University.

5/18/99
Received “Letter of Intent to Participate” in MBEI River City Classic from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.

6/1/99
Receipt of $1,000.00 development grant from Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation.

6/1/99
Receipt of $2,000.00 development grant from DPFox LLC.