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Opportunity DeKalb outlines plan to spin off Breakthrough Business Academy, seeks $300,000 annual budget
Summary
Opportunity DeKalb presented results from two cohorts of its Breakthrough Community Business Academy, outlined partnerships and fundraising to spin the program into a standalone entrepreneurship organization and said it needs about $300,000 a year to sustain operations.
Opportunity DeKalb told the DeKalb City Council on July 28 that its Breakthrough Community Business Academy has graduated 25 participants so far and the group is preparing to spin the program into an independent nonprofit to provide broader entrepreneurship supports.
The presentation emphasized why the academy matters locally: it provides training for “side hustles” to become viable businesses and aims to offer pre- and post-program supports, capital access, and regional partnerships that could help stimulate redevelopment in the Annie Glidden North neighborhood.
Executive Director Chad Glover said Opportunity DeKalb started the academy last year after research and community conversations and a partnership with Rising Tide Capital. He told council the program has benefited from grants and in-kind support and that the group expects a sustainable operating budget of roughly $300,000 per year if it is to expand services before seeking larger public and private grants.
Gip Seaver, chair of Breakthrough Business’s board, described the organization’s fundraising to date and a list of supporting organizations and donors. Seaver told council the city has contributed $145,000 to the effort since March 2022, Mortenson gave $25,000, and a local entity listed in materials as 168 Community LLC contributed a large in-kind amount; those figures were presented to show local investment and to encourage additional partners. Glover said 20 of the 25 graduates are from DeKalb, four are from Sycamore and one from Shabana.
Speakers at the meeting said the academy offers a progression of services: “idea to income” for people who have not yet made a sale, the core academy for people who have made at least one sale, and post-graduation assistance such as discounted chamber memberships and regional incubator links. Glover said Opportunity DeKalb has negotiated partnerships with Allies for Community Business and regional chambers to give graduates access to more resources.
Several community leaders and recent graduates spoke in support during the presentation. Danita Sims, director of programming, was identified as the academy’s lead instructor. Melissa Amadeo, executive director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation, said entrepreneurship training complements economic development and that she had joined the academy’s board. Graduate Kathleen Eaton described gaining confidence and business skills through the classes. Malia Jones and Glenn Robey spoke about community connections and neighborhood events tied to the academy’s work.
Glover asked the city to remain a financial partner and said his team will pursue a mix of local philanthropy, bank Community Reinvestment Act funds, county and other municipal support, and state and federal grants. He said the program has launched a membership model with annual levels starting at $5,000 and up to $20,000-plus for partners who would also be invited to serve on the board.
Council members and staff asked clarifying questions about funding sources, partners and performance measures. The presentation did not include a council action item requesting a specific appropriation at this meeting; it was delivered as an informational report and an appeal for continued local and regional support.
Opportunity DeKalb said recruitment for the third cohort is under way and that more detailed budget and program metrics would be provided to the council in follow-up materials.
