Spark Tank is more than a local take on the reality television show Shark Tank—it is a contest that helps faith institutions and social enterprise entrepreneurs serve human as well as financial bottom lines.

The Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary Center for Community Transformation launched Spark Tank to join hands with community business people and faith leaders to “alleviate barriers to employment in a non-charity approach to poverty,” said Randy White, D. Min., associate professor of community transformation and executive director of the CCT. “Church members have skill sets that could change our economic landscape in our context of poverty, if only they were mobilized and channeled correctly,” he said. There is a need to increase the emphasis placed on the relationship between work, faith and innovation, according to White. Through Spark Tank businesses and faith institutions partner in form of poverty alleviation that affirms the dignity of all people, he said.

Wells Fargo has provided substantial funds for Spark Tank since its inception in 2013, and this year expanded its contribution to specifically include enterprises beyond the Fresno/Clovis area to rural communities. The effort is also funded by grants and private donations.

In addition to providing a product or service to the community and jobs/training to those with challenges to traditional employment, a social enterprise is finically sustainable, has a clearly defined social impact and practices good stewardship of the environment, according to White. Spark Tank has supported 32 such businesses and nonprofits. This year, $22,000 was awarded to 12 businesses, four of which were from rural Valley communities.

Spark Tank was the result of a meeting four years ago where Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin challenged local pastors and community leaders to think about what role faith institutions could play in the economic wellbeing of the city. Prompted by the idea of a non-charity approach to poverty, the CCT created Spark Tank to provide an incentive to people and groups to create their own businesses. “There are almost no barriers to getting a business license,” White says. Spark Tank provides a means and opportunity for people to not only become employed, but even to own their own businesses.

This year, Spark Tank was held September 30 at Bitwise in downtown Fresno. White hopes this partnership continues and leads the way for other business to join the faith-driven social enterprise work that Spark Tank fosters. Each contestant won anywhere from $750 to $5,000. For some businesses, this will cover startup costs and for others it will allow for expansion.

Winners are:

Crumb & Get ‘Em Cupcakes

A cupcake company started by Jennifer Kenyon in the heart of the Lowell neighborhood. She has already been operating at farmers markets and art hops and is expanding to employ young people from the community.

Kings Cornerstone Recycling, LLC

A recycling business that provides self-sustaining revenue as well as employment experience and work therapy for the Kings Gospel Mission in Fresno. It will serve 64 customers daily, along with curbside recycling pick up for area schools and multi-family complexes.

Coat of Many Colors

A social business/sole proprietorship that offers painting workshops to assist military veterans in Lemoore and nearby locations who suffer from PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder).

Tagua: Fair Trade for a Better World

A volunteer-based agency that combines a retail brick-and-mortar business with a community benefit organization to buy goods from fair trade wholesalers who source from artisans and farmers in impoverished countries.

Cornerstone Coffee Co.

A social business of the Lighthouse Recovery Center; it will employ women from the center and provide a revenue source for the center.

4 His Glory Apparel and Accessories

A social business, operated by the pastors of The Alter Worship Center and New Life for Girls. This business will provide employment experience and a revenue source for the existing ministries.

Moving On Up

A combined moving and furniture rehabilitation company staffed by people in need of work who come to the Fresno Area Community Enterprises and North Fresno Church—Mennonite Brethren.

Young Minds Matter

A self-sustaining, multi-service program focusing on teenagers in southeast Fresno and Selma, providing junior high and high school prep, tutoring, computer access, Bible studies, life and career planning and leadership training.

Alongside

An employment readiness service which will tailor job readiness to actual jobs, using employer profiles of specific job requirements.

Employment Resources Unlimited

An employment readiness service that adds a business start-up component to standard readiness training.

L&R Embroidery

An embroidery business in Reedley that will employ people with barriers to employment.

Cornerstone Career Network

A Visalia-based soft skills employment readiness system that will prepare people for employment.