There’s a concept of the Matthew Effect which uses math to illustrate what folks have lamented about for thousands of years – the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. Take tech for example – the rich and poor often have different problems, but because it’s more profitable to solve problems for the wealthy a disproportionate share of tech innovation focuses on solving problems for the affluent. However, it doesn’t have to be this way – and we have been blown away by the thousands of members of our community who have devoted their lives through their businesses, organizations and art to serve the underserved.

Nabin Park

PrideFull is a New York-based film festival by and for Queer and Trans People of Color. We curate and screen innovative films that center LGBTQIA2S+ people of color and their stories.

I co-founded PrideFull with Joohee Oh in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and right after the Black Lives Matter movement with a mission to create an open, safe, community-driven space where we can celebrate and appreciate stories that represent ourselves, and support each other. At PrideFull, we bring QTBIPOC filmmakers and audiences together, create a platform to amplify our own voices and share resources, and ultimately make the film industry more inclusive, equitable, queer & “colorful”. Read more>>

Reese Darlington

Absolutely. At HammerLogic Construction & Remodeling, a core part of our mission is serving homeowners and communities who are often underserved during times of crisis. When disasters like fires, floods, or storms strike, families can feel overwhelmed—not just by the damage to their homes but also by the complexities of navigating the insurance claims process. Unfortunately, many homeowners are underpaid or denied what they are entitled to due to the intricacies of insurance policies or lack of proper advocacy. Read more>>

Amondre Oglesby

I am the founder of TALO – The Actors Life Organization. We help ensure the wellbeing and advancement of Georgia actors. Coming up in the acting business, I found that many of my friends were struggling, homeless, or having a hard time staying in class because of financial reasons. All of the workshops and opportunities for actors to get in front of industry pros were too expensive to pursue, so most of them had a hard time advancing their careers. I started TALO to offer three programs, the “Affordable Education Program”, which offers acting classes at no more than $100 per month — guaranteed to never change, and the cheapest in the city. Read more>>

Rie Nakasone

KIKI Japan serves an underserved community: pet parents who value high-quality, culturally meaningful pet accessories. I know this because I was one of them. When I first looked for a pet bandana for my dog, Kiki, I was disappointed by the lack of options that reflected my Japanese heritage and met my standards for quality and craftsmanship. I couldn’t find anything that felt unique, meaningful, or durable enough to truly represent the bond I share with my dog. Read more>>

Elisa Irvolino

The Latino community often faces unique challenges when it comes to accessing resources that promote healthy living while honoring cultural traditions. From the affordability of fresh, nutritious ingredients to the lack of culturally relevant nutritional guidance, many Latinos struggle to find a balance between maintaining their heritage and embracing a healthier lifestyle. This creates a gap that leaves our community underserved and disconnected from the foods and practices that make our culture so rich. Read more>>

Colony Cat Club Detroit

Colony Cat Club Detroit focuses mostly on TNR (trap, neuter, return) for stray and feral cats in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park.

These communities are absolutely underserved, and we provide our services for free to the community, utilizing donations and fundraisers.

The human population of Detroit was 633k in 2023. According to the US Census Bureau, 33.8% of the population of Detroit was living in poverty (2022), which was defined as earning $13,590 or less a year for an individual. Read more>>

Refinement Wagner

At Design with Refinement, serving our community is at the heart of our mission. We are committed to giving back through pro bono work and supporting nonprofits by creating beautiful spaces they might not otherwise have the budget to hire a designer for. Read more>>