Polk Institute Foundation

The Polk Institute (PI) is developing the next generation of Social Entrepreneurs and empathetic business leaders, the founders and executives with a passion for business and compassion for the wider world. Our mission is to fill the knowledge, skill, resource, and inspiration gaps that inhibit the success and scale of businesses founded and operated by individuals from marginalized communities. PI provides the training, mentoring, and pipelines to capital that support under-served, under-resourced, and underestimated Social Entrepreneurs.

Pi's goal is to prepare underrepresented Black & Brown entrepreneurs to be capital ready as part of our Fundable CEO program. In reality, capital readiness is just a new term for being bankable. We will teach these business owners how to develop and pitch a financial package that is sound. We will teach them how to leverage capital to sustain and scale their businesses above the $1,000,000 level. Social Entrepreneurship is what makes us unique. Of the companies we work with, our goal is that 60% also be certified to become a B-Corp.

The Polk Institute in conjunction with the LA Urban League will provide a unique one year Legacy Cohort program for Underrepresented Black & Brown (UBB) Legacy Businesses in Los Angeles County. Our program strategy is to create mini-legacy ecosystems designed to sustain their businesses for future generations with the overarching goal of addressing and solving the critical need of transferring wealth and business ownership. PI will provide coaching and mentorship to the original (or second generation) participating business owners.