2003 Annual Report Executive Summary
Empowerment Alliance of SW Florida
The lead
entity for the Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community grant application in 1998
was the Community Foundation of Collier County. In July of 2000 the Empowerment
Alliance formed a grass roots non-profit corporation and in June 2001 received
our tax-exempt status from the IRS. The Community Foundation provided board
training and leadership development as well as assistance with fiscal
management. In February 2003 the Empowerment Alliance of Southwest Florida
Community Development Corporation became the lead entity for the Enterprise
Community Program. Our Board of Directors includes 15 members, with over 50% of
the Board comprised of members elected from each census tract and representative
of the low-income communities they serve. This is a major step to creating a
sustainable community effort to empower and build the Enterprise Community.