Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce

Hi💰 $340k in Funding Opportunities for Black, LGBTQ+, Women-Owned Businesses This Week 🚀 Braze launches their Tech for an Equitable Future Product Grant Program (Cohort 5) 💡Only 5% of Black-owned businesses operate in high-tech industries, yet businesses that adopt digital technologies experience 25% faster revenue growth 💡In 2023, Black-founded startups received less than 0.5% of U.S. venture funding, and women-founded startups just 2.2%. 💡Black founders have far less access to high-quality mentorship, though mentored businesses are three times more likely to become top performers. To help close these gaps, our partners at Braze, alongside BET+, are offering 12 months of FREE access to their customer engagement platform for 20 historically marginalized startup founders across APAC, EMEA, and North America. PLUS ✅ Business mentorship ✅ Branding masterclasses ✅ Free email advertising ✅ CSM certifications, and more Apply HERE 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/gPGrnVqz To Qualify: Companies founded by underrepresented groups in APAC, EMEA, and North America. Bootstrapped businesses or those with less than $30M in venture funding. Companies with fewer than 100 employees. Startups with a compatible SDK + the necessary Engineering and Marketing resources. ⏰ Applications are open now through January 17, 2025 Learn more and apply now 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/gPGrnVqz 👉🏽 The Well Work x Justworks - Just Thrive Program | Up to $6,000 credit to existing businesses that have at least 50% ownership by marginalized founder(s), Deadline: Rolling Applications | https://lnkd.in/gCEybcgV 👉🏽 15Percent Pledge | The Fifteen Percent Pledge Achievement Award - $200,000 in grant funding for Black-owned businesses with high growth potential, Deadline: Oct 16, 2024 | https://lnkd.in/guDsrVaQ 👉🏽 Founder’s First | Southern California Job Creator’s Grant - $50,000 in grant funding for Latino, Black, Asian, Women, LGBTA+, Military Veterans, Applications Open: Oct 15, 2024 | https://lnkd.in/gCwnvRRX 👉🏽 InDrive | Aurora Tech Award - $85,000 in cash prizes for women founders of IT businesses, Deadline: November 21, 2024 | https://lnkd.in/gQnyhafg -- The Well Work - is on a mission to teach Black Founders how to get funding. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/emFQU-N Join our mailing list: https://lnkd.in/g_S9Qe_B Follow The Well Work for more grants and funding resources @thewellworkco on IG

🌟 Support the Arts: Dream Contemporary Dance Company's 1st Annual Scholarship Gala 🌟 Join us for an extravagant evening celebrating 14 years of dance excellence in Aurora! 📅 Date: October 19th, 2024 ⏰ Time: 6:30 PM 📍 Location: Dunham Atrium, Santori Library, Downtown Aurora Experience an intimate night of culture and artistry featuring: 🍽️ Elegant dinner 💃 Live dance performances 🎭 Celebration of student achievements Your attendance directly supports our talented students and the future of dance in our community. Help us continue fostering creativity and passion for the next generation of dancers! 🎟️ Purchase your tickets online now: https://lnkd.in/gUKBBpBC Let's come together to celebrate Dream's 25+ years of excellence in dance and make a lasting impact on our program and students. #DreamDanceGala #SupportLocalArts #AuroraArts #DanceCommunity #ScholarshipFundraiser Don't miss this chance to be part of something truly special. See you there! Michael Pegues Char Petersen Sandra Harrison

I'm excited to share my monthly list of grants and funding opportunities tailored for small businesses! 💼💰 Veteran Shark Tank Pitch Competition 💵 Up to $50,000 ✅ Veteran-owned businesses less than 3 years old. 📅 Oct 6, 2024 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gtTSY_Y6 NAACP | Medium Rare | The Shark Group Powershift Entrepreneur Grant 💵 $25,000 ✅ Rising & established Black entrepreneurs. 📅 Oct 11, 2024 🔗 https://shorturl.at/C8Px0 Founders First CDC Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Business Grant 💵 $25,000 to 25 Veterans ✅ Opened to veteran-owned businesses. 📅 Oct 15, 2024 🔗 https://shorturl.at/B2ntH Chicago Bears | PNC 2024 Small Business All Pros 💵 2-week marketing partnership during the 2024 season. ✅ Owners of local restaurants, caterers, and other food services. 📅 Oct 16, 2024 🔗 https://shorturl.at/W4SG0 Start.Pivot.Grow Q3 Micro Grant 💵 $2,500 ✅ Must be in business for at least two years, have annual rev of $50k or more, & have 1-2 employees, including the owner. 📅 Oct 17, 2024 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gYbE9xCU City of Champaign New Business Program 💵 Up to $10,000 ✅ Must have plans to open a business within a commercially zoned and vacant or underutilized building within the City of Champaign within (1) yr of application or have an active business within the City that has been in operations for less than 2 years. Home-based businesses may also participate. 📅 Oct 20, 2024 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gRyr96wU City of Champaign Growing Business Program 💵 Up to $20,000 ✅ Open to businesses more than (2) yrs old seeking to grow their operations & expand employment. 📅 Oct 20, 2024 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g2sbGVdd HerSuiteSpot | Deja Vu Parker of WBLS studios 107.5 Hustler’s Microgrant 💵 $1,000 ✅ An opportunity for small business owners to receive a boost. 📅 Oct 31, 2024 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gf-8F4f2 The Roddenberry Foundation The Catalyst Fund 💵 $2,500-$15,000 ✅ Open to anyone, anywhere in the world. 📅 Year-round 🔗 https://shorturl.at/XxGrj Tory Burch Foundation The Fellows Program 💵 $5,000 business education grant + access to 0% interest loans with Kiva ✅ 50 women entrepreneurs are selected for a yearlong program designed to grow their businesses through workshops, coaching sessions, network-building, & financial resources. 📅 Nov 1, 2024 🔗 https://shorturl.at/jEEuE Please share with your network of business owners and entrepreneurs! #SmallBusinessGrants #FundingOpportunities #EmpowerSmallBiz

💰 $300k+ in Funding Opportunities for Black, LGBTQ+, Women-Owned Businesses This Week + Tailored Biz Coaching 👉🏽 The Well Work x Justworks - Just Thrive Program | Up to $6,000 to existing businesses that have at least 50% ownership by marginalized founder(s) with 2+ W-2 employees, Deadline: Rolling Applications | https://lnkd.in/gCEybcgV 💡The Well Work | Business Coaching - Tailored coaching for Black, women, and LGBTQ+ founders Our businesses are a reflection of our culture, our values, and vision. I've reopened my calendar to help Black, LGBTQ+, and women founders scale with intention and secure the funding they need. New spots are open now— Learn More | https://lnkd.in/gzFAdKNM 👉🏽 15Percent Pledge | The Fifteen Percent Pledge Achievement Award - $200,000 in grant funding for Black-owned businesses with high growth potential, Deadline: Oct 16, 2024 | https://lnkd.in/guDsrVaQ 👉🏽 Center for Women Entrepreneurs | StartHER Grant - $5,000 in grant funding for early-stage women-owned innovative businesses, Deadline: October 4, 2024 | https://lnkd.in/gKqwpCkk 👉🏽 Black Girl Ventures | BGV Pitch Competition - $30,000 in grant funding for underrepresented women entrepreneurs, Deadline: October 9 2024 | https://lnkd.in/gwqUHBkT 👉🏽 Pepco | Pepco Energizing Business Grant Program - $74,000 in grant funding for for-profit businesses relocating or expanding a consumer-direct service that provides equitable access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food in key locations, Deadline: October 11, 2024 | https://lnkd.in/gPu-dNYw -- The Well Work - is on a mission to teach Black Founders how to get funding. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/emFQU-N Join our mailing list: https://lnkd.in/g_S9Qe_B Follow The Well Work for more grants and funding resources @thewellworkco on IG

💫 #TOMORROW: #LUMENAURA TAKES CENTER STAGE! 🎉 Join the #City of #Aurora TOMORROW for the grand opening of LUMENAURA, the City's #inaugural illuminated #art #experience set to light up the #downtown district! 🎶 In partnership with Aurora Downtown, LUMENAURA will open with a First Fridays special, featuring #EDM #Music from #DJ Butter! 📲 For more information on LUMENAURA, including LUMENAURA Fest Weekend and programming throughout the month, please visit ExperienceLumenaura.com! ❤️ Thank you to Fox 32 Chicago for interviewing Aurora's Director of Public Art, Jenn Byrne, to talk about all of the excitement to come! #joinus #exciting #learnmore #behere #thingstodo #entertainment #weekend #community #outreach #support #local #illinois #tourism

For valuable resources for grant funding opportunities, check these out.

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin and the King of House Music, Farley Jackmaster Funk, were on WGN's Spotlight Chicago today to promote the A-Town House Music Fest on Saturday, September 8 in Aurora. Watch the 5-minute segment: https://lnkd.in/gA8GeJkr Get your $25 tickets at www.riveredgeaurora.com

🍭 #CONGRATULATIONS to Ms. Jana's Candy on being named an "Illinois Made Destination" by the Illinois Office of Tourism! 🌟 Last week, Deputy Director, Daniel Thomas, visited Ms. Jana's Candy to present the #business with its #award! 🎉 Illinois Made celebrates the small businesses that set the State of Illinois' locally-made goods apart. “If it’s handmade, homemade, and locally made, it’s #Illinois Made.” 📍 Visit Ms. Jana's #Candy #TODAY at 1649 Montgomery Road #10 in Aurora to check out its #signature butter toffee, brittles, and caramel apples! #joinus #thankyou #smallbusiness #aurora #local #engagement #community #outreach #support #openforbusiness #amazing

Hooray for QCAACC member Ms. Jana’s Candy. The company is the recipient of the State of Illinois’ Newest Makers award. QCAACC member Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Cort Carlson joined the Deputy Director of Illinois Office of Tourism, Daniel Thomas, at the company’s manufacturing/retail facility, 1649 Montgomery Road, to present the award to Ms. Jana Farmer and her team. If you haven’t become a customer of Ms. Jana’s Candy, you are missing out on some the best candy, chocolates and other delights in the Midwest. Again, congratulations Ms. Jana’s Candy!

Congratulations to Quad County Urban League President & CEO Theodia Gillespie - the newest member of the East Aurora School District 131 Board of Education. Appointed to the seat vacated by Dan Barreiro who is now the new City of Aurora Ward 1 Alderman, Theodia was sworn-in this week to begin her tenure on the school board. Theodia B. Gillespie has dedicated more than four decades to the mission of the Urban League. A native of Missouri and graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, she began her career with the Quad County Urban League in 1984. Theodia became the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Quad County Urban League in 1993 after serving as its Education Coordinator, Director of Education, Director of Employment and Program Director. Combining a passion for serving clients through education and workforce development and a commitment to service leadership, Theodia has transformed Quad County Urban League into a thriving affiliate by improving operations and public perception and by developing collaborative community partnerships, which expanded the agency's profile and provided wrap-around services in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties. An outspoken advocate for equality, Theodia dedicates herself to a host of community and regional boards and organizations. A thought leader in education, employment, law enforcement and politics, Theodia has received several awards for her outstanding record of service.