The Coleman Foundation

?? $3 Million+ in Funding Opportunities for Black, LGBTQ+, Women-Owned Businesses This Week ???? [Partner Investment] FoundersEdge | Actively investing $150K–$200K in pre-seed tech companies at the intersection of AI and user experience across industries, leveraging technology to drive meaningful change. | ?? DM me with the subject "FoundersEdge" for more details. [?? VC INVESTMENT, NOT A GRANT] ???? NBCUniversal Local | Local Impact Grant - ?$2.5 Million Grant Fund for non-profits in the youth education and empowerment, next-generation storytellers and community engagement sectors, Deadline: April 11, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/gS_SMG5S ???? 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) and 2 W-2 employees, Deadline: Rolling | https://lnkd.in/gCEybcgV ????[EU Partner Event] SHE/THEY – Queer start-up founders club - Join our partners for the launch of the She/They CPH Hub, a new gathering point for queer founders and allies in Copenhagen. Details: ??Hosted by Matrikel1 Workbar at Gammel strand, Copenhagen ??Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19 · 5 - 7 pm CET GRAB YOUR SPOT https://lnkd.in/gSs9M-NV ?????Famous Amos | Ingredients For Success Entrepreneurs Initiative - $50,000 in grant funding to 3 early-stage Black business owners. Businesses must be at least 90% Black-owned, Deadline: April 23rd, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/gwVsxC5n ???? 776 Foundation | 776 Fellowship - $100K in grant funding to young builders aged 18-24 who are creating measurable solutions that will benefit underserved communities, Deadline: April 14, 2025 | https://776.org/ ???? Camelback Ventures | Camelback Fellowship - $40K in grant funding or SAFE notes + a 16-week Fellowship for early-stage entrepreneurs dedicated to addressing?inequities in the education and technology sectors, Deadline: April 7, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/gbJCPCWs ???? Maison Rémy Martin | This is My City Grant - $20,000 in grant funding for leaders, entrepreneurs, and artists creating impact in their communities in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and New York City, Deadline: April 11, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/gfT3sTix ?????Santander | Cultivate Small Business Cohort 12 - $20,000 in grant funding and 12-week program for early-stage entrepreneurs in the food industry, with a focus on women, immigrant, and BIPOC-owned businesses in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods, Deadline: July 8, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/g6DRy6aB -- The Well Work - is on a mission to get Black Founders funded. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/emFQU-N ?? Join our mailing list: https://lnkd.in/g_S9Qe_B ?? Get 1:1 Founder + Biz Coaching from me: https://lnkd.in/gzFAdKNM ?????? Access Grants Unlocked - A Guide to Successful Grant Funding for Black Founders: https://lnkd.in/gBuV5nXH ???? Follow @thewellworkco on IG

OPEN CALL - Invitation to apply for support from The Coleman Foundation to strengthen the greater Chicago Region's Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. Applications are due Friday, April 25. Following a recent $2M investment in Chicago's community-based Business Support Organizations, The Coleman Foundation seeks to support and learn from groups working in other areas of the local ecosystem that are: -supporting entrepreneurs’ tech-based, high-growth businesses to grow and operate their ventures in the greater Chicago region, -piloting innovative programs that address access to capital for entrepreneurs in the greater Chicago region, and/or -organizing advocacy, coalition, or educational opportunities that will lead to fewer barriers (red tape, administrative burdens et al.) for entrepreneurs who want to start, grow, or scale their business venture in the greater Chicago region. Funding levels, grantmaking criteria, eligibility, and how to apply are included in the PDF. Please email [email protected] directly with any questions.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Inside The Coleman Foundation's Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) program, I've had the distinct pleasure of learning about the community since my onboarding nearly three years ago. After countless conversations with service providers, self advocates, family members, and direct support professionals a clear picture was painted: the Illinois system is not designed to help IDD families easily access resources and grow the industry's under-valued workforce. Last week Coleman took a deep dive into IDD by inviting industry leaders from state-wide associations to have a conversation about why the time is now to invest in system-wide solutions in Illinois. See photos below. I am excited to share that Coleman's Board recently approved two grants toward making Illinois a better place for IDD indviduals and those who aid them in their independence. $725,000 to support a coalition working towards a human-centered system-redesign in Illinois comprised of IARF Illinois Association for Rehabilitation Facilities, The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities, The Arc of Illinois, University of Illinois Chicago, and Center for Developmental Disabilities Advocacy and Community Supports. $441,000 to brand, market, and launch the IDD Navigator-- a free online tool for families to access resources, learn how to get started, and understand how to navigate the government. Little City Foundation's leadership of the navigator has been instrumental in its build out. A lot more work must still be done. Yet, I find it important to celebrate what victories we have. Onward.

We all deserve second chances. Last week Defy Ventures in Illinois invited volunteers to review resumes, personal statements, and business ideas for the (fantastic) Entrepreneurs In Training at Kewanee Life Skills Re-Entry Center. Our day together was good for the mind, spirit, and soul. This day and the stories I heard will stay with me for a long while. These men are enrolled in Defy’s CEO of your New Life program. I’m excited to see how the EIT’s incredible business ideations evolve through the cohort’s June graduation.

Please share: we're hiring a Grants Manager! We're looking for someone who wants to be part of a team supporting the work that our grantees do to improve the lives of people living in the greater Chicago region. https://lnkd.in/gKN2Hquh

NDI is excited to welcome 20 new Financial Wellness Trainers to our network in Illinois! ?? Earlier this month, individuals from DRS, self-advocates, providers and advocates came together to build their skills and empower their communities. A huge thank you to the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and The Coleman Foundation for making this training possible! ?? #FinancialWellness #Training #Inclusion Image description: Square teal graphic with white text reading: Thank You. In the background is a transparent group photo from the event. The NDI logo is centered at the top of the graphic.??

Do you know community leaders organizing summer and fall activities to promote safety & peace in Chicago neighborhoods? They might qualify for a grant of up to $10,000 from the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities 2025 Chicago Fund. Deadline to apply is 5pm on Monday, March 3. Learn more. (Link in first comment.)

Community organizations and leaders have always stepped up in times of crisis—and today is no different. As policies shift and fundamental rights come under threat, leaders need resources to respond. CFW’s Rapid Response Fund is providing short-term, one-time advocacy grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to groups, agencies, and organizations with a valid 501(c)3 designation or which have a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply here: bit.ly/CFWrapidresponse

?? $200k+ in Funding Opportunities for Black, LGBTQ+, Women-Owned Businesses This Week ???? 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) and 2 W-2 employees, Deadline: Rolling | https://lnkd.in/gCEybcgV ?????Nike/Jordan | Black Community Commitment Grant - $10,000 in grant funding for non-profits (with 501(c)3 tax-exempt status) working to create socially impactful change, Deadline: February 16, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/gu3Xmi_T ?????Boundless Futures Foundation | EmpowHER Grant - $25,000 in grant funding for female founders addressing social issues, Deadline: February 16, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/g-tADZe5 ?????UPS Store | Small Biz Challenge - $35,000 in prize funding for small business owners + a free feature in Inc. Mag and expert mentorship, Deadline: February 19, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/gPSbneTZ ?????Lenovo | Evolve Small AI Grant - $25,000 in grant funding for small business owners +$10,000 of custom tech solutions for businesses located in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, San Diego, Toronto, Washington, DC, or Vancouver, Deadline: February 17, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/gNqka3Sg ?????(EU) Female Founders | LTST Startup Pitch Track - Pre-seed + Seed socially impactful startup led by gender-diverse teams have a chance to pitch to investors in Vienna, Deadline: February 19, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/gBsG6FNm ???? Caltech | Rocket Fund 2025 - up to $100,000 in grant funding for?clean-tech and sustainability startups, Deadline: Mar 03, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/gMnVP-bv ???? Hello Alice x DoorDash | Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund - $10,000 in grant funding for?restaurants impacted by natural disasters, severe weather events, or major infrastructure failures, Deadline: Mar 03, 2025 | https://lnkd.in/g3J8bKgq.. — ???Small Business Tools and Discounts from our Partners ???? Intuit QuickBooks – Save 30% on accounting, tax prep, sales tools + more | ?? https://lnkd.in/g66wgeVV ???? Fiverr – Access skilled freelancers w/ our discount | ?? https://lnkd.in/gxSt9jxJ ???? Circle – Build an engaged community and courses w/ Circle’s platform | ?? https://lnkd.in/gC5U2hFT -- The Well Work - is on a mission to get Black Founders funded. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/emFQU-N ?? Join our mailing list: https://lnkd.in/g_S9Qe_B ?? Get 1:1 Founder + Biz Coaching from me: https://lnkd.in/gzFAdKNM ?????? Access Grants Unlocked - A Guide to Successful Grant Funding for Black Founders: https://lnkd.in/gBuV5nXH ???? Follow @thewellworkco on IG

It is with great excitement that I announce that the 2025 Chicago Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities Grant is now OPEN for applications! The $1,000,0000 fund serves as a catalyst for grassroots organizations to create safe and peaceful activities during the summer and early fall. The Chicago Fund strategically grants in 24 priority community areas on the south and west sides---activating hundreds of safe spaces for youth and adults and highlighting the very best of our beloved city. For a deeper dive of The Chicago Fund and how to apply by the March 3rd deadline, please register for an information session by clicking here https://lnkd.in/gKg-spDq To access the application click here https://lnkd.in/gyh4F_PX If you know a grassroots organization or community based leader that is interested in learning more, please pass along the attached RFP. #TheChicagoFund #SafeandPeacefulCommunities #PSPC #Grassrootsfunding #Communityleadership #Wherephilantropyandcommunitymeets