SCORE District 508 Director Rick Barkley presented the South Central Minnesota SCORE Chapter 710 with the District Chapter of the Year Award, according to a press release. Chapter 710, which is hosted at Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, showed increased activity, growth, mentoring and outreach to achieve this award.

SCORE is a nonprofit association supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration with the goal of providing no cost, confidential mentoring by experienced volunteers to aspiring new business owners and to existing businesses. SCORE Chapter 710 has 30 active members who meet with 10 businesses on a monthly basis. The chapter’s volunteers log an average of 30 hours per month in confidential mentoring of clients, both entrepreneurs and long-term business individuals. In the past year, more than 110 clients received expert mentoring from SCORE’s Chapter 710 volunteers.

“Chapter 710 is proud to accept this award,” said Chapter Board Chairwoman Diane Wilson. “As volunteers, we are passionate about the business climate of the seven-county area in which we work. Our chapter is part of the SCORE district that covers Minnesota, North and South Dakota. We are the newest and smallest chapter in the district. To win this first-ever district award is monumental and a testament to the accomplishments of our volunteers.”

“Given Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s mission of supporting regional entrepreneurs to strengthen our overall economy, the business mentorships our SCORE Chapter provides are invaluable,” said Tim Penny, president and CEO of SMIF. “We see this as a great partnership for the foundation, so we’re happy to host them and honored on their behalf for being recognized with this award.”

To request a mentor or to become a volunteer mentor, visit SCORE’s website at www.scmnscore.org, email scmnscore@gmail.com, call 507-455-3515 extension 124 or contact a SCORE volunteer.