We would like to introduce the Generation E Institute (GenEI) and ask for your support to continue our work of providing youth entrepreneurship education.

GenEI is a non-profit organization currently in the·seventh year of operation. We offer entrepreneurship education programs to middle and high school aged students. All of our curricula are educator tested/evaluated and focus on helping students learn and practice entrepreneurial skills through hands-on, participatory activities. What makes our program unique is that all GenEI students actually start and operate their own micro-businesses. We also customize our curricula to fit with the requirements of after-school, home school, neighborhood and community-based programs that want to incorporate an entrepreneurship approach.

The Institute has achieved significant results in the previous six years including:

• Certified 250 educators from 275 different schools and community-based organizations in 19 counties;

• Worked with over 6,000 students with more than 2,500 student businesses started;

• Hosted·six Student Business Showcases in Battle Creek with·120 student businesses competing for $5,250 in awards and other prizes in 2011.

Our poorly performing economy provides a real sense of urgency. The fact that entrepreneurs are the primary source of work place innovation, wealth creation and job generation in the U.S. is well known and our current recession amplifies the need to create a pipeline of young entrepreneurs who will “make a job,” not just “take a job.” We, therefore, are asking for your assistance to build and sustain that pipeline of youth entrepreneurs in the Southwest Michigan area.

Our fundraising goal for individual, private and public contributions in 2010-1011is $48,000. That funding will supplement other grant and consulting based revenue that GenEI uses to pay general administration and this year’s Student Business Showcase expenses. Please see the insert of the enclosed brochure that outlines the many ways that you and/or your organization can provide that assistance—from judging student business plans and/or serving as a classroom mentor for student businesses-to-making a tax deductible contribution.

A record number of student businesses have continued: forming LLC's and one business is in the patent research process.  This is GenEI's answer to unemployment, under employment, job creation and economic growth and recovery.

The following Sponsorship levels and their benefits are as follows.

Expand Level: ($2,500 or more)  The Expand sponsorship level is our highest level of sponsorship, and provides the following benefits:  Recognition using your name & logo in any advertising; Placement of a sponsor-provided banner at the event; Website  Name & Logo Recognition using your name and logo on our GenEI website; and Program Name & Logo Recognition using your name and logo.

Grow Level: ($1,500)  The Grow sponsorship level provides the following benefits:  Recognition using your name in any advertising; Placement of a sponsor-provided banner at the event; Website Name & Logo Recognition using your name and logo on our GenEI website; and Program Name Recognition using your name.

Launch Level: ($1,000)The Launch sponsorship level provides the following benefits:  Recognition using your name in any advertising; Website Name & Logo Recognition using your name and logo on our GenEI website; and Program Name Recognition using your name.

Incubate Level: ($500) The Incubate sponsorship level provides the following benefits:  Website Name Recognition with your name on our GenEI website; and Program Name Recognition using your name.

Idea Level: ($250 or less) The Idea sponsorship level provides the following benefit: Program Name Recognition using your name.