(Credit: Steve Thurston, 2022)
(Courtesy Lisa Mitzen, 2022)
(Credit: Steve Thurston, 2022)
Since founding Business for Good in late 2020, Ed and Lisa Mitzen have donated more than $5.5 million to regional nonprofit organizations.
“Throughout our marriage, we always talked about how wonderful it would be to do more and to help more people,” said Lisa Mitzen, co-founder of the nonprofit organization. “In 2020, we thought, ‘We’re so blessed and so many are struggling, what can we do?’”
In late 2020, the couple — who owns Fingerpaint Marketing — saw Bread Basket in Saratoga Springs listed for sale and knew they found the opportunity they wanted. They bought the bakery and, soon after, Saratoga landmark Hattie’s Restaurant and Chicken Shack, and founded Business for Good, which is supported by the two business ventures.
“The profits derived from the businesses we own — Bread Basket, Hattie’s — go into the foundation to distribute to other foundations,” Mitzen said.
Business for Good donates to organizations that address social issues including food insecurity, housing instability and education inequity.
Among recipients so far are Alzheimer’s Association, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), The Children’s Museum at Saratoga, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, Franklin Community Center and Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, among others.
Since its founding, Business for Good has assisted 25 individual community organizations and given grants to 30 nonprofit organizations. Business for Good has purchased six businesses to help fund its outreach.
[Read our story about the Mitzens' donation to Open Door Mission in Glens Falls.]
Inspired by a nonprofit model similar to Newman’s Own and Double H Hole in the Wall Ranch of Lake Luzerne, the Mitzens use profits from their businesses to support their philanthropic efforts.
The actor Paul Newman put his name on the Newman’s Own brand, which his daughter ran. Double H was founded by Newman and Glens Falls entrepreneur Charles Wood, the late owner of what was then the Storytown theme park in Queensbury. It is now The Great Escape. Wood dedicated much of his retirement to philanthropy.
“Paul Newman, his whole line of salad dressings and other grocery items, he donated all the profits,” she explained. “Instead of having a product, we have the Bread Basket Bakery and Hattie’s to fund Business for Good.”
But the Mitzens also help businesses and foundations build success through mentoring.
“We work with entrepreneurs, with people who need a hand up, maybe a little capital, but advice, structure,” said the retired longtime mortgage lender. “We use Ed’s expertise as a successful entrepreneur and mine in finance, and help them build their business to the next level so they can help more people.”
Among such development efforts are Wallace Turner Law in Schenectady and Allie B’s Kitchen in Arbor Hill.
“Ed and I grew up in households where education and encouragement were important,” she said. “But so many grew up without, and we’re trying to change that.”
The Mitzens also recently purchased a vacant former Stewart’s Shop in Voorheesville and, across the street, what was Lombardo’s Restaurant.
“All these for-profit businesses, Ed and I choose to channel those profits through our foundation so we can donate to help as many people as we can,” Mitzen said.