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As small business owners you work hard to do more than just maintain your business. LISC offers resources for sustainability and we encourage small business collaboration and support. Below you will find access to capital and expert advisors, workshops for growth, resources, and opportunities to lift-up your black-owned small businesses-colleagues by purchasing gifts and sweet treats for Valentine’s Day.
There is money waiting for you - and plenty of it!
Looking for a grant to grow your business? Need help developing a website, marketing your business, or growing your customer base? Are you looking to purchase equipment, lease a space, or maybe expand your current space?
Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) is looking to empower you by offering two grant opportunities to support the development of your business. Learn more about these amazing opportunities to gain access to GRANTS, not loans.
Questions or looking for a sponsor? A free sponsor is required to apply for these grants. Contact Tina Petigny, LISC Senior Program Officer for Economic Opportunity, tpetigny@lisc.org.
Verizon Digital Ready Platform – Business Resources on Demand
Get access to expert advice and guidance – whenever you want. Sign Up today for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready to access coaching, community networking, and a marketplace of tools, products and services. Sessions include:
- A Guide to Selecting Legal Structure(s): Legalize It
- Creating Content That Matters: Compelling Content for Your Business
- Get Beyond Break Even: From Knowing Numbers to Making Money
- Defining Your Brand: Connecting to Customers
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready delivers online learning tools through a range of short courses, live coaching events, one-to-one coaching sessions, and a range of “Ask the Experts” events and grant opportunities to help support your business needs.
Small Business Strong Hosts Session on Funding Opportunities for Small Businesses on 2/17
Do you have a small business and are you looking for ways to fund it?
Join Small Business Strong (SBS) on Thursday, February 17th at 12 pm, to learn about funding opportunities available to small businesses in Massachusetts this year. Funding opportunities include $80 million of new grants from the City of Boston and the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC).
SBS will also share information about microloan programs for several community lenders. We will be discussing the following and more:
- MGCC COVID-Relief Grants for 2022
(pending the availability of program details) - City of Boston Relief Fund 3.0
- Biz-M-Power
- Empower Digital Grants
- CTI Microloans
- Dorchester Bay Economic Development Fund’s Rapid Resilience Loan
- Mill Cities Community Investments' (MCCI) funding opportunities
In Case You Missed It:
Building a Strong Financial Foundation for 2022
If you missed the recent Small Business Strong (SBS) session on getting your business finances in order to access grant funds, you can watch the video of it here:
Relief grants and even more state funding will be available soon. Small Business Strong’s most recent event, Building a Strong Financial Foundation for 2022, discussed the ways a business can become financially stronger and set themselves up financial success in the coming year.
Attendees walked away with valuable information including:
- How to close out the year (2021) and review financial statements
- An understanding of taxes, including all tax credits and advantages
- How to be up-to-date with all business filings and registrations
Whether you just started or have been in business for a while, this is the time to learn how to manage your business’ finances properly so your business can grow sustainably.
Time to get organized
Our advisors can help you get your finances in order, get in compliance, organize your files, or improve your payroll process, so you’re ready for the next opportunity. Get free assistance.
Speak 1-on-1 with an advisor today.
LISC is the Program Manager for Small Business Strong, a non-profit organization that provides expedited, pro-bono support for women and entrepreneurs of color navigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their businesses.Subscribe to the Small Business Strong Newsletter: [+]
The Coalition for an Equitable Economy is accepting applications for Coalition Director
The Coalition for an Equitable Economy (CEE) seeks a CEE Director. The Director will serve in a leadership role with multifaceted work with Coalition leadership and key stakeholders to support the Coalition's approach to develop and advance a vision and strategy for an equitable and inclusive small business ecosystem in Massachusetts.
Delectable Desires Pastries & Cakes, established in Jamaica Plain in 2007, now serves a broad set of wholesale clientele, including cafes throughout Boston, and is in dozens of Whole Food grocery stores from Rhode Island to Maine. Show your support for Founder and Pastry Chef Carlene O'Garro by shopping small and getting your next cake and pastries from her shop. [+]
Cake creations by Delectable Desires Cakes & Pastries. Visit their website for more.
Black-Owned Businesses to Support in Boston from
Black Owned Bos.
This in-person shopping experience will be running from 12 - 5 pm on Saturday, Feb. 12th at 401 Park Drive in Boston (Fenway), featuring two live DJs. Show love and shop small with the featured black-owned small businesses [+]:
Black History, Health & Wellness
As we step into another year of Black History, we are asked to reflect on Black Health and Wellness. This year's Black History Month theme couldn't be more timely with the current state of our nation and world fighting the COVID-19 virus. This is especially important considering how much the continued fight for access to quality and equitable healthcare impact the owners of Black businesses and black communities.
We at LISC challenge you to learn something more about Black history this year. Knowledge is one of the most powerful assets you can have when advocating for and with members of our community.
Unlocking Business Opportunities with the BPDA, THIS Friday, Feb. 11th, 9 - 11 am
This Friday, February 11th, join the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA), the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), and Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC) for Unlocking Business Opportunities with the BPDA. This event will introduce Boston-based businesses, architects, engineers, planners, IT professionals, property managers, and general contractors to opportunities with BPDA and BLDC, a lender that seeks to promote job creation in the city of Boston. The event will also showcase the BDPA’s 24 month buying plan for goods and services, and processes to pursue real estate development opportunities with the agency.
Small Business Workshops on Business Fundamentals
Join Valley Community Development Corporation and Dee Dice for a series of FREE, monthly, recurring workshops focused on business fundamentals. Designed for existing businesses and those planning to start a business. These workshops will provide a structure for starting and managing your venture. Topics include: Business Plans and models; Financing Options; Marketing, marketing planning, and research; Importance of Bookkeeping; Developing your team; Goals and next steps; and Choosing your legal form of organization.
Newsletters: Staying in Contact with your Clients
Join Valley Community Development Corporation to learn how to create good content, analyze a series of newsletters and get help getting yours started. The workshop is on Wednesday, February 16th, 2022 from 5:30 pm - 7 pm.
Start-A-Food-Business Workshop
CommonWealth Kitchen's 2-hour Start-A-Food-Business workshop is perfect for aspiring food business entrepreneurs in the idea-stage and the about-to-launch phase of food business growth. Workshop offered in English on Feb 17th and Spanish on Feb 23rd.
About Local Initiatives Support Corporation
LISC is one of the country's largest community development support organizations, but we have deep local roots, having invested more than $414 million in Massachusetts communities for nearly 40 years.
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You are receiving this message because you requested assistance from the Massachusetts Equitable PPP Access Initiative for federal and state relief, or because you requested to receive news from LISC about COVID-small business relief, participated in a LISC webinar or LISC program such as the Digital Growth Accelerator or Beyond Six Feet Apart. If you no longer wish to receive these messages, please use the unsubscribe link below.
