Ford and Ford Motor Company Fund, the automaker’s philanthropic arm, are investing more than $400,000 to strengthen and support Latina entrepreneurs and small business owners as they battle challenges posed by COVID-19.
NDC will administer a grant program for Ford Driving Dreams. Latina entrepreneurs and small business owners can now apply for a $5,000 grant through the Ford Driving Dreams Latina Entrepreneurs program. In addition, monthly webinars are being planned for early 2021 to provide critical educational resources, networking opportunities, and other business development tools for Latina entrepreneurs as they weather the global pandemic.
“Minority and women-owned small businesses have been especially hard hit during COVID-19,” said Mary Culler, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Our goal is to provide much-needed resources to help minimize the economic uncertainty that many Latina small-business owners, their families, employees, and surrounding communities are all experiencing during these unprecedented times.”
The Latina Entrepreneurs program was announced during a virtual event, “Juntas Podemos: How to Adapt to Changes and Market Trends.” The event, which featured a panel of entrepreneurs that shared advice for Latina small-business owners, was the first of many online events that will be offered as part of the new initiative. Throughout the first quarter of 2021, several online training sessions and webinars will be offered, covering topics such as financial planning, funding opportunities, branding, technology, and communications tools, among others. Webinars will be offered for Ford Driving Dreams grant recipients and will be accessible to the public, as well.
The Ford Driving Dreams Latina Entrepreneurs initiative is being implemented in collaboration with eMerge Americas and the National Development Council. Small-business owners interested in applying can visit www.FordDrivingDreams.com to complete an online grant application and view program guidelines, timing, and details. Recepients will be announced in early December.
Read Full Release HERE: https://fordauthority.com/2020/10/ford-invests-400k-to-support-latina-entrepreneurs-impacted-by-covid-19/