WE Build Program
Women Empowered to Build
The Women Empowered to Build (WE Build) program was created to accelerate the fundability, stability and growth of the women-led businesses and women-led nonprofit organizations in real estate development. Cinnaire and WSDI are committed to paving a new path toward local wealth building, an inclusive economic opportunity, and collective resources to help women developers grow their careers and support communities. The program accomplishes this by:
- leveraging the expertise of the dynamic local industry leaders in real estate development
- providing a real-world curriculum and approach
We Build is an 11-month intensive training program designed to assist participants with completing pre-development activities and preparing them to apply for project financing. The program includes live and virtual interactive courses, group learning experiences, site visits, office hours, and a final project presentation. Participants will receive up to $50,000 recoverable grant funds to support their work in the program.
Please complete all program materials and submit application to: jhinton@cinnaire.com
Program Details
Eligibility Criteria
- Woman-owned, real estate development business or woman-led nonprofit.
- Have at least 2 years of commercial real estate or business experience.
- Have site control with an active real estate development project.
- Demonstrate a connection or commitment to responsible and sustainable real estate. development with your development project or development business.
Program Commitment
- Commit to in-person training for up to (6) hours once per month and virtual technical assistance for up to (2) hours twice per month during the program term.
- Commit to a minimum of (1) active site visit during the program term.
- Attend 90% or more of in-person and virtual programming to successfully meet the program requirements.
- Submit an application for a recoverable grant up to $50,000 for pre-development activities.
- Commit to continuing real estate development project funding with Cinnaire.
Disclaimer: All program training and materials are Michigan-based and follow Michigan laws.Â
Training Calendar
All participants are required to attend programming in-person on the following dates:
| WE Build Sessions 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| January 12, 2024 | January 26, 2024 | February 9, 2024 |
| March 8, 2024 | May 10, 2024 | June 14, 2024 |
| July 12, 2024 | August 9, 2024 | September 13, 2024 |
| October 11, 2024 | November 8, 2024 | December Graduation (TBD) |
Who We Are
Cinnaire Community Connection (CCC) provides support to empower neighborhoods to become vibrant and full of opportunities through impact investments and innovative collaborative partnerships. CCC has offices in Detroit, Michigan and Wilmington, Delaware. In addition to the WE Build program in Detroit, there is a similar program in Wilmington DE called Jumpstart Wilmington. For more information, please visit their website.
The Women's Sustainable Development Initiative (WSDI) is a Michigan nonprofit corporation whose mission is to support emerging women commercial real estate developers working on projects located in low-income communities that incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) components, with a priority focus on women developers who are Black, Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC).
WSDI provides funding, educational resources, and meaningful networking connections to women commercial real estate developers, primarily those who are Black, Indigenous or People of Color.
Contact Us
For more information on the We Build Program, please contact Jessica at jhinton@cinnaire.com
Our Locations
Home Office - Lansing
1118 South Washington
Lansing MI, 48910
Indianapolis
320 North Meridian, Suite 516
Indianapolis IN, 46204
Wilmington
100 W. 10th Street, Suite 502
Wilmington, DE 19801
Chicago
225 West Washington, Suite 1350
Chicago, IL 60606
Madison
10 E. Doty Street, Suite 617
Madison, WI 53703
Grand Rapids
100 Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Suite 202
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Detroit
2111 Woodward Avenue, Suite 600
Detroit, MI 48201
Milwaukee
231 E. Buffalo Street, Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI 53202
