ABOUT

JEDI is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1996 to spark profound positive change in individuals, businesses, and communities. We increase the vitality of people and communities through sustainable economic development and local wealth creation that includes spirited and skillful business development, equitable capital access, and local wealth creation. We acknowledge the inherent gender, racial, geographic, and economic inequities built into our systems and lead with pathways that are inclusive, educational, and transformative. With wealth creation and household economic security as driving goals, business development is a means to support individuals, families, and the local economy to thrive and prosper. We come from the communities we serve, and we prioritize underserved entrepreneurs and especially rural women, in far northern CA (specifically Shasta, Siskiyou, Trinity, Humboldt counties).

Over the last 25 years, JEDI has worked in far northern California and served over 15,000 people starting and growing businesses, assisted in the creation of over 3,594 businesses and jobs and clients received financing worth $10.3 million. With a longstanding commitment to economic opportunity for all, JEDI has run many entrepreneurial programs over the years and is currently hosting the IRS-designated Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) free tax preparation program, the Mount Shasta Farmers’ Market, and the Women’s Business Center at JEDI with offices in Mount Shasta and Redding, CA.

VALUES 

JEDI is deeply committed to building an inclusive learning organization and programs where clients, staff, and volunteers of all identities feel seen, valued, and heard. 

We recognize the long history of rural disinvestment, gender inequity, structural racism, and other exclusionary practices that have intentionally kept many marginalized communities out of the business sector, especially rural regions, women, and communities of color.  We seek to advance equity in and through small business ownership, and inclusive organizational development and management. 

We take an intentional approach to centering the needs of the most impacted communities to shape our strategic priorities across all areas of our work.  We are committed to an active learning process to continually evolve our policies, structures, and organizational culture. 

By centering the needs of the historically underserved, we aim to create conditions for all groups to succeed—for women to thrive, for small businesses to generate wealth and fuel economic mobility – for investment to be made in our rural regions and small businesses – for indigenous and communities of color to thrive - for the local economy to be more resilient.