ReStart Seed Fund

Microloans and mentorship for formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs.

ReStart Seed Fund – Planting the Seeds of Second-Chance Entrepreneurship
Restoration isn’t just about healing the past—it’s about building a future.

Launched through a generous 2020 grant from the 3Dots organization in State College, the ReStart Seed Fund empowers formerly incarcerated individuals who dream of starting their own business. This initiative recognizes that economic opportunity is essential to lasting change—and that entrepreneurship can be a powerful path forward.

Eligible applicants receive microloans to help launch their ventures. But the support goes far beyond funding. Each participant is paired with a dedicated business mentor for one year, guiding them through critical steps like securing a Federal ID number, developing a business plan, and navigating startup logistics.

The ReStart Seed Fund is more than a financial resource—it’s a vote of confidence. A way to say, “Your ideas matter. Your future is worth investing in.” It’s restoration with vision, purpose, and the tools to build something lasting.

What Recipients Say
“I received a microloan to buy equipment for the business I started. My mentor, Liz, taught me how to write a business plan, asked all the right questions about how I was going to market my items, and has been a great support in this process. She connected me with key individuals in the community to help me with other parts of the business. My goal is that within three years, my business is my main source of income.”

Restoration in Action
The ReStart Seed Fund helps turn ideas into income, dreams into direction, and second chances into sustainable success. 

This is the heart of CentrePeace: restoration not just of identity, but of opportunity—and the belief that every person deserves the chance to build something new.