Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) is a Portland, Oregon-based public charity formed in 2008. It supports under-resourced and excluded entrepreneurs through access to capital, tailored business assistance, and education, and describes its work as helping small businesses build resilience and thriving communities.
Key facts about Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon
In short: Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon gave $12.4M across 38 grants in 2025 (avg $325K), mostly in Oregon. 84% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 20-4379510
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $12,368,911
- Grants made (2025)
- 38
- Average grant
- $325,498
- Median grant
- $72,560
- New grantees (estimate)
- 84% first-time grantees (32 of 38, 2025)
- Total assets
- $17,449,550
- Primary geography
- Oregon (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$17.4M
+7.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$12.4M
+336.1% YoY
Grant Count
38
-58.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$325K
+955.9% YoY
Is Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon open to new grantees?
84%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 32 of 38 grantees (84%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $353K; repeat grants $179K. How we count
Medians: $74K first-time, $62K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2022–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
MESO’s mission is to elevate the cultural tapestry of under-resourced and excluded entrepreneurs and build resilience and thriving communities through access to capital, tailored business assistance, and education.
Its programs include business advising, classes and workshops, lending, credit education, and business IDAs. Its early childcare program provides financial support and technical assistance to providers selected by Multnomah County, and MESO collaborates with partners on grants and loans for providers seeking to improve or acquire childcare spaces. MESO states that it does not have variance power over the county-related grant funds it administers and receives an administrative fee for those services.
The 2025 filing lists grants for business development, including to childcare and school organizations. Among the grantees, The Portland Montessori School describes its mission as guiding children’s intellectual, spiritual, social, and emotional development in a diverse learning community. Harmony Montessori School says its mission is to provide Montessori programs for children ages 2.5–12.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, MESO reported 38 grants totaling $12,368,911. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $2,552,898, with a median of $72,560. The filing identifies each of the listed largest grants below as supporting business development:
MESO also describes Opportunity Café, a currently open restaurant-startup incubator program in Tigard operated in partnership with the City of Tigard. It offers incubator space, coaching, a supportive business environment, and startup cost assistance.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon
Ready to take the next step with Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MESO’s business development services currently serve the Portland metro area, Beaverton, and Vancouver, Washington. Its lending and education classes are available to businesses in Oregon and southwest Washington. In filing year 2025, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.6M (2022) to $12.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 38 grants totaling $12.4M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Nenes Childcare & Learning Center LLC (P) ($2.6M). Together the top 10 received $10.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
500 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 443 grants of 500 (89%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nenes Childcare & Learning Center LLC (P) Portland, OR | Business Development | $2,552,898 |
| Puddletown School (P) Portland, OR | Business Development | $2,540,398 |
| Friendly House Inc (P) Portland, OR | Business Development | $1,418,530 |
| Higher Elevations Learning Place Inc Portland, OR | Business Development | $1,083,023 |
| Solid Foundation Academy (P) Portland, OR | Business Development | $1,001,659 |
| Leap Pad Day Care Portland, OR | Business Development | $757,650 |
| Yuris Certified Childcare Gresham, OR | Business Development | $610,000 |
| Magic Shapes Childcare LLC (P) Portland, OR | Business Development | $238,000 |
| Sellwood Bilingual School PFA LLC Portland, OR | Business Development | $219,670 |
| The Portland Montessori School Portland, OR | Business Development | $192,340 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $17,449,550 | $18,051,966 | $18,305,425 | $12,368,911 |
| 2024 | $16,303,599 | $7,790,971 | $9,517,073 | $2,836,106 |
| 2023 | $16,462,647 | $14,090,117 | $14,098,309 | $8,459,551 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,449,550 | $16,303,599 | $16,462,647 |
| Revenue | $18,051,966 | $7,790,971 | $14,090,117 |
| Expenses | $18,305,425 | $9,517,073 | $14,098,309 |
| Net Investment Income | $708,759 | $527,760 | $380,641 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 7, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Cam Turner as chairman, Beth Cooke as vice chair, and Jill Chen as treasurer. It lists Cirith Anderson, Casey Bonsai, Scott Bossom, Dave Connell, James Graham, Sheila Holden, and Maurice Rahming as directors.
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon is led by Cobi Lewis, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 6 of 18 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cobi Lewis
Executive Director
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$26K (2021) → $190K (2025)
Cam Turner
Chairman
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Celina Sanchez-Crowell
Marketing Director
Marketing Di → Marketing Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$103K (2023) → $103K (2025)
Jatuane Hall
Business Development Director
Business Development → Business Development Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$105K (2023) → $108K (2025)
Le King
Hr Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$110K (2023) → $118K (2025)
Dave Connell
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheila Holden
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Graham
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maurice Rahming
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Casey Bonsai
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cirith Anderson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Bossom
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mayra Arreola
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyrone Pool
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Hilton
CFO
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$127K (2023) → $143K (2025)
Mary Lee Alder
Chief Program Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$117K (2024) → $117K (2025)
Beth Cooke
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jill Chen
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Faye Burch (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Ana Chaud (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Nitin Rai (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Nita Shah (2019–2022) — Executive Di
- Former: Mehendra Shah (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Carmen Madrid (2021) — Assistant Executive Director
- Former: Linda Tran (2021) — Loan Dept Ma
- Former: Kenechi Onyeagusi (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Teri Karen-Keith (2019–2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $190K, to Cobi Lewis (Executive Director). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 2201 Ne Columbia Blvd West Wing 2, Portland, OR 97211
Phone: (503) 841-3351
Frequently asked questions about Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon
How much does Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon give each year?
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon gave $12.4M across 38 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.8M across 92 grants.
What is Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon's typical grant size?
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon's median grant in 2025 was $72,560, and its average grant was $325,498, across 38 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon that year got $353K on average.
Where does Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon give grants?
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon gives mostly in Oregon: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (32 grants) and Beaverton, OR (2 grants).
Does Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 38 grants with a stated purpose on Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Business Development" (38 grants).
Who are Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon's largest grantees?
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon's largest 2025 grantees include Nenes Childcare & Learning Center LLC (P) ($2,552,898), Puddletown School (P) ($2,540,398) and Friendly House Inc (P) ($1,418,530), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 53% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon?
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon reported $17.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $18.1M.
What does Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon fund?
MESO’s mission is to elevate the cultural tapestry of under-resourced and excluded entrepreneurs and build resilience and thriving communities through access to capital, tailored business assistance, and education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon?
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon's EIN?
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4379510. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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