The MYPros Community Crowdfund has been running since 2019. In that time, it has distributed over $270,000 to local businesses — money drawn from a combination of public donations and Midland Area Community Foundation matching funds. Here's every recipient we've been able to document, and what we know about what happened next.
For full detail on each recipient, see the complete crowdfund history page. This post focuses on the pattern across years.
The program's first recipient. Owner Janet Baker built a bakery around the mission of employing people with special needs. No confirmed connections to MYPros membership or MBA/MACF board positions. The program's most straightforward selection — a community-focused small business with no apparent insider ties.
No crowdfund campaign or recipient has surfaced in public records from 2020. Almost certainly paused due to COVID-19 disruptions.
Owner Chris Welch, a grounded pilot who started baking during the pandemic. The crowdfund financed outdoor seating, equipment, and staffing. No confirmed insider connections. Another clean, community-rooted selection in the program's early years.
Owner Patrick McElgunn. First confirmed MYPros member to win the crowdfund. McElgunn subsequently joined the MYPros Crowdfunding Subcommittee — the body that selects future recipients. Grove Tea Lounge closed in 2025 and was acquired by Live Oak Coffeehouse, the 2026 crowdfund winner.
First confirmed MYPros member recipientThe only year with two recipients. Aster has reportedly changed ownership. Nor'East Outdoors has been publicly listed for new ownership. Two businesses that received community investment in the same year both moved on relatively quickly.
Multiple ownership changes post-fundingOwner Ali Huntoon — confirmed MYPros member, MACF Board of Trustees member, MBA Board of Directors member. Her business received MACF-matched funds while she sat on MACF's board. The campaign received almost no press coverage compared to every other year.
Most documented governance concern in program historyOwner Brandon Morey — confirmed active MYPros member at time of selection. Raised $26,754 publicly, unlocking a $35,000 MACF match. Live Oak Coffeehouse competed in the same pitch competition and lost.
Confirmed MYPros member recipientA five-location regional chain. Lost the 2025 pitch. Won the 2026 selection. Two senior employees are confirmed MYPros members. The MACF CEO donated $450 to the campaign her organization will match. The project was already generating revenue at time of selection.
Multiple documented concernsPizza Baker and Aviator Cookie Company — the program's first two recipients — had no identified insider connections. Beginning in 2022, every selection we've been able to document has involved at least one confirmed connection to MYPros membership, MBA board positions, or MACF board positions. That's not necessarily disqualifying on its own. But it's a pattern that deserves a public explanation — and a conflict of interest policy that addresses it.