Supporters and recipients of MicroGrants gathered Feb. 13 at the Graves 601 Hotel in downtown Minneapolis to celebrate success.

MicroGrants partners with nonprofit agencies that refer industrious, lower-income people who have an opportunity to improve their lives. Using the $1,000 grants, thousands of boot-strap entrepreneurs and working-poor adults have started home-based businesses or paid for training that led to a new or better job.

Joe Selvaggio, the retired founder of Project for Pride in Living, administers the MicroGrants program as a volunteer. The program is funded by about 200 affluent Twin Citians.

The evening's hosts were MicroGrant supporters Jim Graves, an owner and operator of the Graves 601 Hotel, and former St. Paul Mayor George Latimer.