Resources to Help Your Business

By Gene Marks and Elizabeth Macauley
The Hartford Small Biz Ahead | Originally published: September 16, 2020
Updated: October 9, 2023

Growing your business isn’t easy, but there are plenty of resources, people and organizations that can help you. The key is finding the ones that make the most sense for you and your business. And once you make the right connection, you’ll be on your way to obtaining useful recommendations, funding and ideas.

With outside help, you might be able to:

• Take part in corporate programs that promote your business or provide grants
• Meet potential leaders
• Better understand cash flow
• Improve your marketing
• Hone your communication skills
• Become a better manager
• Make better investments

Below is a list of programs and resources that can help your business get to the next level.

Corporate Programs

The Hartford offers a free site to register your small business at Big Hart For Small Business. From this site, people can find your business in their local area. Registration is free and is open to any small business regardless of their association with The Hartford. The Goldman Sachs Group announced it will give $250 million to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through Community Development Institutions (CDFIs) and other mission-driven lenders. Lowe’s Companies, Inc., will open its first round of grant applications in its $25 million commitment to help provide relief to minority-owned businesses. This donation will fuel emergency grants in historically underserved communities, as well as other assistance, to help owners navigate business challenges during the pandemic. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the nation’s largest community development organization will help manage the process of vetting applications for grants. PayPal announced a $530 million commitment to support black and minority-owned businesses and communities in the U.S., especially those hardest hit by the pandemic. The goal of these funds is to help address economic inequality. The Rockefeller Foundation pledged an initial $10 million, which it will allocate to a collective of government, business, faith-based and non-profit partners in ten places over several years. In these areas, the foundation will invest in partners, projects and programs with two core goals:

• Protecting communities from displacement
• Eliminating barriers to access capital and credit among low-wage workers and small businesses operated by women, black and Latinx owners.

Spectrum Parent Charter Communications, Inc. announced the creation of the Spectrum Community Investment Loan Fund. This focuses on making loans through community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to small businesses whose goods and services help meet core needs in under-served communities within the Charter’s 41-state operating footprint. The loan will invest $10 million in capitals by the end of 2021, making loans up to $1 million to each CDFI.

Small Business Programs

There are many programs designed to support small businesses with specific designations:

The Department of Transportation (DOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program works to ensure nondiscrimination in DOT-assisted contracts.

The Association of Women’s Business Centers provides business owners and entrepreneurs with support and services, including securing rounds of venture capital.

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce gives members resources to help them maintain and grow their business. There are also LGBT Chamber of Commerce organizations in other locations, such as:

• Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce
• Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
• Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce

United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) offers tips, guidance and more for Hispanic owned businesses.

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) has a grant program to help small businesses. In the past, they’ve helped provide funds to buy computers, hire part-time help and design new marketing tools…[MORE]

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To read the entire article by Gene Marks and Elizabeth Macauley at The Hartford Small Biz Ahead website, visit: Resources to Help Your Business