MONTROSE - A small business organization in Montrose is trying to bring $250,000 to its community, and it needs public support.

Chase and LivingSocial are sponsoring "Mission: Small Business," a grant program that will award 12 grants of $250,000 to help provide small businesses with resources needed to make a positive impact on their businesses.

Joining the race is the Womens Business Alliance of Colorado, a membership-based organization that provides learning seminars, service discounts and other assistance to its members. 

Each month, WBA hosts different networking and education activities, the next of which is "Intentional Networking on the Patio" on July 18 at The Bridges. And it will host a leadership summit retreat on Aug. 25-25 at Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa in Gateway.

To get its application evaluated, SMA must get 250 votes before the end of the voting period on June 30. Grant recipients will be announced on or before Sept. 15.

To vote for SMA, or any of the other applicants, participants need to click on the "log in and support" button at www.missionsmallbusiness.com. They then search for their favorite, registered small business via its city and state, and submit their vote. Each time the support button is clicked, Chase will add $5 to the grant pool, up to $3 million. 

"We want to help struggling businesses in Montrose with advertising dollars, promotional campaigns, training, positioning for growth and bringing experts to town," SMA co-founder Sue Hansen said.

SheShe Boutique and Gallery Supports Local Arts Program for Children

MONTROSE – Do you remember how you felt after you gave your first live performance - or when you discovered the sound a trombone makes, or saw a ballerina stand on pointe for the first time? In today's economy, many schools across the country are no longer offering children these experiences.

That’s why SheShe Boutique and Gallery is partnering with Brighton to support local children’s arts programs in Montrose. Hundreds of other specialty retailers across the country are joining Brighton in this initiative to donate to a wide range of kids’ charity programs for the arts – everything from ballet to orchestra, symphony, art and music programs and classes.

For every purchase of a Brighton Americana bracelet ($48), Brighton and SheShe Boutique and Gallery donate $24 to the Montrose High School Choir.  This limited edition bracelet will only be available between June 1 and July 31, 2012, while supplies last.

“We are proud to support a local arts program because it is so important to the future development of our children,” said Kimberly McGehee, owner of SheShe Boutique and Gallery. “As school budgets are cut, it is our privilege to be able to step in and provide a significant donation from the private sector thanks to the generosity of Brighton and our customers.”

Donating by design is a continuing tradition at Brighton, where founder and owner Jerry Kohl and his team of designers have created jewelry collections that have raised over $8 million for charity. By choosing a 501 (C) (3) charity program or a local school to receive proceeds from the sale of the Americana bracelet, participating Brighton retailers ensure that the programs receiving donations will benefit their own families, friends and neighbors and strengthen the arts in each community.

As Laura K. Young, Brighton's President of Sales and Marketing explains, "I can't imagine what my life would have been like without the ballet classes I took throughout my school years, the piano lessons and recitals or learning to paint with oils. My participation in these programs not only gave me an appreciation for the arts, it gave me the confidence to become the person I am today." 

Brighton produces handbags, jewelry, belts, footwear, small leather essentials, luggage, fragrances and gifts which are sold in 160 Brighton Collectibles stores and in over 5,000 specialty stores across the United States. Visit  www.brighton.com to see the entire collection.