The Herbert B. Jones Foundation has awarded Gonzaga University and Spokane Community College grants totaling $146,000 to fund a collaboration between their entrepreneurship programs.

The foundation, a longtime supporter of a regional small business plan competition, will give Gonzaga’s Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program $93,000 and SCC’s Avista Center for Entrepreneurship $53,000.

The money will allow SCC students with business ideas to share them with Gonzaga students who will help them prepare business and marketing plans, possibly for entry into the competition that last year attracted 60 entries from teams from Gonzaga, Whitworth College, Eastern Washington University and Washington State University.

Spokesmen for both schools noted the grant will allow students from different ages and social backgrounds to work together on ventures that will enhance their education and potentially foster future economic development in the Inland Northwest.

“Our community will only benefit from a new generation of business owners exposed to the full range of entrepreneurial resources now available at Gonzaga and Spokane Community College,” said Rick Street, one of the SCC faculty involved in securing the foundation funding.