SCORE Des Moines Celebrates 60 Years of Supporting Small Businesses

SCORE Des Moines is proud to celebrate 60 years of helping America’s small businesses launch, grow and thrive. Since 1964, more than 17 million entrepreneurs have received support from SCORE, a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Today, SCORE has a nationwide network of more than 10,000 volunteers serving all 50 U.S. states and territories, guiding entrepreneurs on their path to success.

The world has changed significantly in the past 60 years, and so has SCORE. Originally a group of retired executives, the organization has expanded and evolved — today, half of SCORE’s volunteers are still actively working. Over the years, SCORE has utilized technology to offer on-demand online learning modules, remote mentoring and specialized local workshops. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, SCORE quickly pivoted to deliver 100% virtual mentoring and education, without missing a single day of service.

Celebrating Diverse Entrepreneurship at Every Stage

The organization has also grown to embrace diversity among clients and volunteers — 65% of SCORE clients are women, 46% are minorities, 13% have disabilities and 9% are veterans.

Combining entrepreneurial spirit and volunteerism, SCORE supports small businesses at every stage of business, including those that are just starting out. Last year alone, SCORE volunteers helped start 31,167 new businesses and create 152,115 total jobs nationwide, donating 4.5 million hours of service in the process.

The three Iowa chapters — Des Moines, East Central Iowa, and Quad Cities — combined to start 122 new businesses which created 632 total jobs. To learn more about two of the businesses, visit Des Moines Midwife Collective and Zamorins Solutions.

SCORE is hard at work evolving operations, resources and volunteer training to support future generations of small business owners, providing expert mentoring and resources to help every small business owner address their unique business needs and challenges.

To learn more, request a mentor or volunteer to be one, visit score.org.

Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow or successfully exit a business. SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. Visit SCORE at score.org.

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, visit SCORE Des Moines at scoredesmoines.org.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership celebrates the Greater Des Moines (DSM) entrepreneur community and helps small businesses succeed with one-of-a-kind resources and opportunities for networking. Find out how other entrepreneurs have found success by reading their stories and attending local small business events in the region.