Project OpportunitySM Awarded Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation Grant
Carlene Cassidy, Chief Executive Officer, Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation presenting check for first year of grant to Joe Giordano, Founder Project Opportunity
SALISBURY, MD., January 25, 2020 – Project OpportunitySM, an entrepreneurship training program for active duty military, reserve personnel and veterans who reside or are stationed in Maryland, announced today that it has been awarded a three year grant in the amount of $308,584.00 from the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation to expand services and programs.
“This grant will allow us to provide free business counseling, mentoring, and coaching for all program graduates. In addition, we will now be able to provide free seminars and workshops for not only our graduates but any veteran small business owner in Maryland. These are key elements of our original program that were lacking due to the funding constraints in previous years, ” said Army Master Sergeant (Retired) and Project OpportunitySM Founder Joe Giordano.
“This important funding will allow us to introduce two new programs: an eight week (24 hours) military spouse entrepreneurship training course and a business pitch competition with prizes in the amount of $20.000.00 for our program graduates who meet eligibility criteria. I am most excited about the addition of these two new programs to our current Project OpportunitySM offerings. We are extremely excited about the addition of entrepreneurship training for military spouses, a sometimes overlooked facet of military life. ” Giordano added. “We are grateful to the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation for this generous grant to help our program continue to expand and provide essential resources to the veteran and dependent population in Maryland looking to pursue entrepreneurship.” Giordano went on to state.
About Project Opportunity
Established 2010, Project OpportunitySM has graduated more than 250 military personnel and veterans from classes held throughout Maryland. Project OpportunitySM is a free entrepreneurship training program for active duty military and reserve personnel and veterans who want to start their own businesses or expand a current small business. The ten-week (30 hour) intensive course is designed to prepare veterans to research and complete a business plan. Founded on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 2010, Project OpportunitySM has since expanded to Annapolis, Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, Prince George’s County and Southern Maryland. Contributions from county economic development authorities, local banks, fraternal organizations and private foundations help ensure that the classes are free to veteran participants.