Social Venture Incubator Launched by Wayzata Community Church

Wayzata Community Church (“WCC”) announces DOUGH, a new social entrepreneurship initiative, and is soliciting applications from entrepreneurs with innovative ideas for projects to address social challenges. The Church will help nurture and fund social ventures through access to capital and community resources. WCC members will use their skills, networks, creative insights, and experiences to help advance the ideas that are incubated. Selected Grant Recipients will receive start-up funding from a pool of $200,000, as well as financial and business planning assistance from WCC. The initiative is designed to promote ventures that will serve as catalysts for self-reliance and empowerment, promote human flourishing, and reinforce WCC’s identity as the Twin Cities church that demonstrates love for its neighbors by promoting justice, righteousness and human dignity.

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John Ross, Senior Minister at Wayzata Community Church, announces DOUGH, a new social entrepreneurship initiative focused on funding innovative projects that address social challenges. (Photo: Business Wire)

John Ross, Senior Minister at WCC, explains the church’s motivation: “Creative mission serves the world and infuses the Church community with purpose and passion…..our goal is to transform how we participate in God’s mission for the world by serving others in fresh and innovative new ways.”

DOUGH applications can be submitted until January 5, 2021, with semi-finalist applications to receive hands-on coaching for venture refinement throughout the winter and spring from experienced mentors recruited from WCC’s membership. In May, semi-finalists will pitch their refined venture ideas to a panel of judges who will select the final Grant Recipients.

Interested entrepreneurs can learn more and submit their social venture proposal at www.doughgrants.org. WCC is committed to selecting applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds to support a range of initiatives.

Wayzata Community Church is a 3,000 member Congregational Church that has been serving the city of Wayzata and the extended community for over 100 years. WCC’s mission is to inspire the world with the inclusive love of Jesus.

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