Loveland Microgrant Effort Now Matching Donations To Small Businesses

May 7, 2020 Posted In

Reporter Herald, by Max Levy

I Am Loveland, a microgrant program benefiting local businesses, said Tuesday that it has distributed $7,756 in grants to 72 vendors since it was established three weeks ago.

Loveland City Council member and founder Andrea Samson also announced that the group has partnered with #LiveLoveland to offer tax-exempt status for donations made through the group.

“Small businesses are our lifeblood and the backbone of our economy,” #LiveLoveland chair Mindy McCloughan said in a press conference Tuesday. “It was a no-brainer when (contributor Nancy Rumfelt) and Andrea reached out to me.”

“It’s a really fantastic program and another example of people wrapping their arms around businesses,” Samson said during the same conference.

I Am Loveland offers T-shirts, buttons, mugs, tote bags and other merchandise through its website, with all profits donated to customers’ businesses of choice. Customers may also write notes of support to businesses, some of which were read Tuesday.

The Colorado Eagles ice hockey team was the group’s first major backer, chipping in $5,000 to match profits and donations. Troy McWhinney of real estate developer McWhinney and Curt Burgener of Transpro Burgener Trucking have since contributed matching funds.

Samson said Tuesday that the group is now offering a 200% match for donations, thanks to the contributions of the Colorado Eagles, McWhinney and Burgener.

“It is so exciting to see community members like the McWhinneys and Mr. Burgener come on board to support small businesses,” Samson said in a release issued after the conference. “This is truly a time for all of us to come together to support Loveland small businesses, and that is what is happening.”