The Cleveland Community Wealth Collaborative, a partnership between the Cleveland Foundation and Community Wealth Ventures, has selected eight organizations to receive training and technical assistance aimed at helping them create and grow financially viable businesses.

Beginning this month, Community Wealth Ventures, a consulting firm that helps nonprofits operate successful business ventures, will provide support for the organizations in creating businesses, including in-depth monthly seminars with peer nonprofit leaders and experts in the fields of social enterprise and business development. CWV also will supply customized business consulting and will partner with the entrepreneurship program at Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management to engage graduate students in providing research and planning assistance to participating organizations. Area organizations selected to participate in the program include the Achievement Centers for Children, the Alzheimer's Association-Cleveland Area Chapter, the Center for Families and Children, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association, International Partners in Mission, Recovery Resources, and Vocational Guidance Services.

"As funding for nonprofit organizations continues to tighten, this effort can bring long-term strength to Greater Cleveland's nonprofit sector," said Cleveland Foundation president and CEO Ronald B. Richard. "By helping nonprofits develop businesses that will provide a source of income, we will be arming nonprofits with the ability to weather difficult economic times and continue meeting residents' needs."