Programs
At the Shirley Poole Legacy Foundation, our programs combine hands-on business and financial education, mentorship, and practical tools to help underserved entrepreneurs thrive. Whether you’re launching a small business, nonprofit, or social enterprise, our offerings provide the knowledge, skills, and confidence to grow sustainable ventures that strengthen families and communities.
Empowering Entrepreneurs, Building Legacies
Workshop Series
Led by Executive Director Tamika M. Benton, CPA, our Workshop Series provides hands-on, interactive, group-based learning in business, nonprofit, and financial management. Each participant receives a toolkit with checklists, templates, and guides that can be applied immediately in real-world situations.
These workshops are designed for small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and aspiring entrepreneurs who want practical skills and community impact.
Workshop Offerings
Each workshop provides practical, actionable skills:
From Idea to Entity: Choosing the right business structure for legal protection and long-term growth.
Mastering Bookkeeping and Recordkeeping: Tracking income, managing expenses, and maintaining IRS-compliant records.
Taxes Made Simple: Understanding filing requirements and avoiding penalties.
Payroll Made Easy: Setting up payroll, classifying employees versus contractors, and staying compliant.
Understanding and Managing Cash Flow: Budgeting, forecasting, and managing finances effectively.
IRS Audit Awareness: Preparing records and responding confidently to audits.
Building Business Credit and Funding Readiness: Strengthening credit and preparing for loans, grants, or investors.
Budgeting and Pricing for Profit: Calculating costs, setting profitable prices, and planning for growth.
Nonprofit Startup and Compliance Essentials: Registering, governing, and maintaining compliance.
Entrepreneurial Financial Mindset and Legacy Building: Developing vision, discipline, and strategies for generational wealth.
How The Group Workshops Work
Entrepreneurs can participate in two ways:
1. Join a Scheduled Workshop
Open to the public; dates and times are posted on our website.
Minimum Enrollment: 10 participants
2. Request a Custom Group Workshops
Tailored for organizations, nonprofits, churches, or community groups.
Delivered virtually or in-person at a time convenient for the group.
Workshop Details:
Group Size: 10–25 participants for personalized attention and interaction
Length: 90 minutes to 2 hours, including Q&A and group activities
Toolkit Access: Every participant receives a DIY Toolkit with checklists, templates, and guides
Interactive Approach: Classes combine instruction, peer problem-solving, and real-world examples. Participants bring their own questions and challenges for live discussion.
Workshop Costs
Workshop costs per participant are approximately $100 for a 90 to 120 minute session. Sliding scale options range from $25 to $75 depending on household income, with Equitable Access Grants available to fully cover tuition for those in need.
Sliding Scale & Access
The foundation believes that cost should never be a barrier to opportunity. The sliding scale model ensures affordability and equity:
Fees are adjusted according to household income.
Equitable Access Grants are available to cover the full cost of workshops for those with the greatest financial need.
One-on-one coaching is available as an optional add-on, with participants contributing 25 to 75 percent of the cost based on income.
Participants select the payment tier themselves, allowing for a respectful, dignity-centered process supported by donor contributions.
Why the Workshops Matter
Workshops at the Shirley Poole Legacy Foundation go beyond theory. They provide hands-on, practical skills that enable entrepreneurs to confidently manage finances, make informed business decisions, and build ventures that endure.
By fostering peer learning, collaboration, and culturally responsive instruction, these workshops strengthen both individual businesses and the communities they serve. Every participant gains tools and mentorship that contribute to sustainable economic empowerment, helping to close the gap for those historically excluded from access to capital, training, and guidance.
How the
12-Month Training Program
Works
Accessibility and Costs
The program is structured so finances are not a barrier:
Standard tuition is $3,500 per year.
Equitable Access Grants can significantly reduce tuition or cover the entire tuition for participants with financial needs.
Donor and sponsor support ensures no entrepreneur is turned away.
The total program cost per cohort is approximately $20,000 to $35,000, with an average cost per participant ranging from $1,500 to $3,500. Sponsorship opportunities include adopting a cohort, funding a program pillar, or supporting an individual entrepreneur for a full year.
Why the Programs Matter
Many underserved entrepreneurs lack access to training, mentorship, and capital. The Workshop Series and the iMPACT Legacy Catalyst Program fill these gaps by building business knowledge and confidence, strengthening financial literacy, and cultivating leaders who reinvest in their communities. By removing financial barriers, the foundation creates inclusive classrooms where knowledge, tools, and opportunity are within reach for everyone.
Together, the Shirley Poole Legacy Foundation is building entrepreneurs, building legacies, and building stronger communities.