What's New at ICIC
Structural Barriers to Small Business Success
Explore our interactive tool, created in partnership with Small Business Majority, that illustrates how structural racism affects the small business landscape in the U.S.
View the tool
Why I Give
Join the Alumni Network in celebrating ICIC’s 30th anniversary through the Why I Give campaign! Your generosity will help us break down barriers, expand opportunities, and empower more entrepreneurs to reach their full potential.
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Racial Equity in America's New Industrial Transformation
ICIC recently published "Racial Equity in America's New Industrial Transformation," a first-of-its-kind report that details the impact of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act on Black- and Hispanic-owned manufacturers. This pivotal study maps out the current landscape and charts a course for significant change to ensure that the benefits of America's industrial renewal are equitably shared.
read the report webinar replay
Regional Economic Connectivity: A Strategy to Build Opportunity in Distressed Communities
This report by ICIC and SRI describes regional economic connectivity as an economic development strategy for under-resourced communities.
read the report
What's Your Why?
To commemorate ICIC’s three decades of fostering economic growth and opportunity in underserved communities through groundbreaking research and programs, we are asking program participants, funders, nominators, and staff, “What’s Your Why?” Members of our ecosystem are responding by sharing what motivates them and how their “why” connects them to ICIC. These varied and impactful stories help us to reflect on our journey, fuel our mission, and shape our future.
view stories share your why
Our 2023 Impact Report is Here!
We are delighted to present ICIC’s Annual Impact Report – which showcases transformational journeys and the grit and determination of small business owners. The work of ICIC is more than just a commitment; it is a dedication to creating jobs, income, and wealth for local residents in underserved communities throughout North America. Through this report, we reunite with entrepreneurs who are the heart of the small business community and reflect on their inspirational stories, which give us a renewed energy to execute our charge. As we unveil our yearly Impact Report, it is a moment to celebrate small businesses, often the unsung heroes of our economy.
Impact Report
Supporting Small Business Growth
ICIC offers seven tuition-free development programs that serve small businesses throughout their lifecycle—from startup to succession. Learn more about how our programs can help your small business grow.
View video descriptionsThe Authority on Inclusive Economic Prosperity
Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) drives inclusive economic prosperity in under-resourced communities through innovative research and programs to create jobs, income, and wealth for local residents.
Founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City is a national nonprofit research and advisory organization and the leading authority on U.S. under-resourced economies and the businesses that thrive there.
Learn More About ICIC
Work with ICIC
Underserved communities are rich with opportunity. We help business, government and philanthropic leaders leverage local assets to transform communities. Our research team has helped to shape economic development strategies in more than twenty inner cities.
ICIC delivers the knowledge and the know-how to achieve sustainable economic and job growth.
Support ICIC
Whether supporting one of our high-impact urban business programs or the entire organization, our partners know they are choosing to support an organization dedicated to transforming inner cities across the country. Our partners include Bank of America, Chevron, Kaiser Permanente, various foundations and individual donors.
Learn how you can support ICIC’s work
What is an Inner City?
Inner cities are distressed urban and suburban areas of concentrated poverty and low income. Inner city residents represent 14% of the population—that’s 45 million people. Of U.S. residents living in poverty, 31 percent live in inner cities.
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Empowering Rural Small Businesses
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program has supported entrepreneurs for more than a decade by offering business training, access to capital, and personalized support services. The program has helped more than 14,000 businesses and in 2023, Goldman Sachs announced a $100 million investment to expand the program in rural communities across the United States. The initiative already has a track record of success in these communities, with 74% of rural small businesses reporting revenue growth and 72% expanding their workforce as a result. “Thriving rural communities mean that more populated areas can thrive too. If small towns are doing well and our money stays local, we can support and do business with people in bigger cities,” stated alumnus Carl Clemetson of Hometown Elegance Event Catering & Productions based in Minot, North Dakota. The program has already launched in multiple locations and will be available across 20 states in the next five years. Applications are open now to entrepreneurs in North Dakota, Mississippi, Indiana, and Montana. Read More
ICIC drives inclusive economic prosperity in under-resourced communities through innovative research and programs to create jobs, income, and wealth for local residents.
Contact
PO Box 191297
Roxbury MA 02119
Phone: 617-238-1740
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