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.

Tiera Rainey

The Tucson Bail Fund provides free bail assistance to predominately Black, Brown, and Indigenous people being held at Pima County Jail. The criminal justice system disproportionately impacts people of color and that is who we serve. These are mothers, fathers, and sometimes children who are being held pre-trial (who have not been convicted of a crime yet) whose detention can lead to the loss of custody of children, eviction, and job loss. Read more>>

Rose Van Dyne

As a working artist in NYC, I have always felt that there is a big disconnect between the perceived “us”, (the community of people privileged enough to sustain a livelihood in the arts) and the perceived “them”, (the community of people living at our doorstep who are constantly underserved, ignored, and mistreated). I wanted to find a way to bridge this gap and give artists a space to hold themselves accountable to help those in need. That’s why I was excited to co-found an organization called Broadway Cooks! Read more>>

Jill Jacobs

Yes, my business serves an underserved community—small to medium-sized businesses that often get overlooked by traditional accounting firms. These businesses are crucial to the economy but don’t always have the resources to hire big firms, which often prioritize larger, more profitable clients. I noticed this gap when I spoke with a small business owner who was struggling to manage finances and felt neglected after reaching out to a few large accounting firms. They were turned away because their business wasn’t considered “big enough.” Read more>>

Tiara Letrice

For years, the areas surrounding my unincorporated community has struggled to build sustainable businesses. and keep their neighborhoods thriving. The lack of zoning laws has created a double-edged sword. On one hand, it offers a sense of freedom for residents to develop their properties and businesses without the red tape typically associated with urban areas. Read more>>