Teen's nonprofit nets $10K award

An 18-year old founder of a nonprofit business has won the 2006 National Federation of Independent Business/Visa USA "Young Entrepreneur of the Year" Award, the two parties announced Wednesday.

In recognition of her entrepreneurial achievements and spirit, Ashley Gunn of Brandon has been awarded a $10,000 educational scholarship.

It will be sent to the University of Pennsylvania to help defray the cost of her tuition this fall. Gunn was chosen from four other regional winners of the NFIB/Visa USA Young Entrepreneur Award.

"This year's 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year' and the four regional winners are an impressive group of young men and women," said Don V. Cogman, chairman of NFIB's Young Entrepreneur Foundation.

Gunn is the founder and chairwoman of Students Aiding Indigent Families, a nonprofit business that buys, renovates and sells abandoned homes to families in need, usually single mothers, at below-market value.

On track to generate $100,000 in revenue this year, SAIF has been certified by the Mississippi Secretary of State and all proceeds from their home sales go toward providing college scholarships....for more of the story