GRANT PARTNERS
We think of our grantees as an ecosystem, with individual partners adding value in unique and complementary ways. The idea is that no matter where our entrepreneurs are located in Los Angeles, and no matter where they’re at in their entrepreneurial journey, there will be a FOUND/LA partner nearby who can help take their business to the next level.
PARTNER
Multicultural Women Executive Leadership Foundation
GRANT TITLE
Scholarships for Multicultural Entrepreneurs
GRANT DESCRIPTION
FOUND/LA’s funding provides scholarships to empower local business owners to take their business to the next level by participating in the Multicultural Women Entrepreneur Program each year.
ABOUT THE ORG
The Multicultural Women Executive Leadership Foundation is a non-profit organization that offers and supports leadership and entrepreneurship training and development to empower multicultural women and young girls. Its focus is on strengthening the US economic landscape by leveraging multicultural women’s “cultural capital” through customized gender and cultural education, access to business capital, mentorship and a support network. It accomplishes this by empowering multicultural women to develop leadership and entrepreneurial intelligence, create jobs and develop leaders, thus spawning a new generation of successfully sustainable multicultural high-level leaders and companies.
Diversity leads to strongest business results, yet change is slow and multicultural women remain underrepresented in leadership positions and entrepreneurial ventures. The programs offered by Multicultural Women Executive Leadership Foundation are focused and curated for the professional and personal development of all women leaders, including Executive Women, Entrepreneur Women, and Millennial Leaders. From embracing the principles used in Harvard University’s groundbreaking Authentic Leadership program, to learning curriculum based on cutting edge research taught by USC Faculty Scholars, these are one of a kind programs addressing multiple facets of leadership development. Men are also encouraged to apply.
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PARTNER
TMC Community Capital
GRANT TITLE
Racially Just Lending - LA 2.0
GRANT DESCRIPTION
This grant provides capital to LA entrepreneurs through an innovative, racially just model with the goal of increasing financial stability, supporting economic recovery, and chipping away at the racial wealth gap.
ABOUT THE ORG
TMC Community Capital is a nonprofit online microlender focused on empowering underserved entrepreneurs. They provide fast and affordable online financing and foster financial stability among women-owned, low-income, and under-resourced small businesses in California.
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PARTNER
BELLA Entrepreneurs
GRANT TITLE
Emprendedoras on the Rise
GRANT DESCRIPTION
This program educates Latina entrepreneurs in Los Angeles through a curriculum-based accelerator.
ABOUT THE ORG
Brilliantes Emprendedoras Latinas de Los Angeles (BELLA) is all about celebrating and elevating the Latina entrepreneurial voices in our local communities of Los Angeles, with a special focus on the East and South side.
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PARTNER
Small Business Majority
GRANT TITLE
Unleashing Potential: Supporting Women Business Owners
GRANT DESCRIPTION
Through this project, Small Business Majority will continue offering educational and community-building events that support women business owners from undeserved communities in Los Angeles. Our Women’s Entrepreneurship Program supports current and aspiring women entrepreneurs with tailored education and connections to local resources, including local organizations that can help with funding, networking and mentorship. Our online resource platform, Venturize.org, complements this work with bilingual resources such as business plan and financial statement templates, licensing advice for women and business owners of color, and other expert advice from our partners. The platform’s resource map also helps visitors connect with lenders and business assistance providers. Combining these in-person and online strategies will ensure that LA’s women business owners can easily access the resources and support systems they need to start and grow a successful business.
ABOUT THE ORG
Small Business Majority is a national small business education and advocacy organization, founded and run by small business owners to ensure America’s entrepreneurs are a key part of a thriving and inclusive economy. We actively engage small business owners and policymakers in support of public policy solutions, and we deliver information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth and drive a strong, sustainable job-creating economy. Our extensive scientific opinion polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about key issues impacting small businesses and freelancers, including healthcare, access to capital, taxes, retirement, paid leave and other workforce issues.
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PARTNER
Inclusive Action for the City
GRANT TITLE
The Semi’a Fund: Low Interest Loans for Entrepreneurs
To narrow the lending gap for underserved entrepreneurs in Los Angeles.
ABOUT THE ORG
Inclusive Action for the City is a community development organization whose mission is to bring people together to build strong, local economies that uplift low-income urban communities through advocacy and transformative economic development initiatives. They are newly recognized as a Community Development FInancial Institution (CDFI) as well.
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PARTNER
California State University Northridge Foundation
GRANT TITLE
FOUND/LA’s Local Business Boost
GRANT DESCRIPTION
To provide consulting services from Business Honors students at the David Nazarian School of Business and Economics to local entrepreneurs running businesses in the Los Angeles community.
ABOUT THE ORG
The David Nazarian College of Business and Economics at CSUN is dedicated to educating the leaders of tomorrow. By offering a challenging curriculum, smaller class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities, and nationally recognized programs, the College offers a truly unique educational experience.
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PARTNER
St. Joseph Center
GRANT TITLE
Codetalk & Culinary Training Programs
GRANT DESCRIPTION
To support two workforce development training programs to help people with barriers to employment get the skills they need to be financially stable and self-supporting.
ABOUT THE ORG
St. Joseph Center is a multi-faceted organization reaching more than 10,000 people each year with more than 25 programs throughout Los Angeles County. St. Joseph Center helps people get back on their feet so they can live their healthiest, happiest lives. They provide supportive services to formerly homeless individuals and families in subsidized apartments and housing developments and provide clients a comprehensive web of services designed to ensure no one falls through the cracks.
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PARTNER
Downtown Women’s Center
GRANT TITLE
Downtown Women’s Center’s Social Enterprise “MADE by DWC” - Setting the Stage for Growth in 2025
GRANT DESCRIPTION
To support the employment of women and gender-diverse individuals at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County via transformational employment training and opportunities.
ABOUT THE ORG
Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) is the only organization in Los Angeles focused exclusively on serving women and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness.
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PARTNER
Grid110
GRANT TITLE
FOUND/LA x Grid110 Community Business Accelerator
GRANT DESCRIPTION
The Community Business Accelerator supports the growth and sustainability of underrepresented community-based businesses in Los Angeles, enabling them to scale and contribute positively to the local economy while also creating a more diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem.
ABOUT THE ORG
Grid110 is an economic and community development nonprofit dedicated to creating clear pathways to success for early-stage entrepreneurs. Through their cohort-based accelerator programs, they provide founders with a growing community of fellow entrepreneurs, expert mentorship, and critical resources.
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PARTNER
Women’s Economic Ventures
GRANT TITLE
FOUND Community Loan Fund 2.0
GRANT DESCRIPTION
This grant provides low-interest, high-touch loans to traditionally marginalized entrepreneurs in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, allowing them to invest in inventory, staffing, infrastructure, and marketing to grow into stronger, more impactful businesses.
ABOUT THE ORG
Women’s Economic Ventures is dedicated to the economic empowerment of women – cultivating the power within each woman to realize her dreams, achieve financial independence, and succeed on her own terms.
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PARTNER
The King’s Trust
GRANT TITLE
Changing Lives through Enterprise
GRANT DESCRIPTION
This grant helps youth from disadvantaged communities in the UK participate in the Enterprise Program. This program teaches young people how to start their own businesses or move forward with their lives by securing employment, education, or accessing training opportunities.
ABOUT THE ORG
The King’s Trust believes that every young person should have the chance to succeed, no matter their background or challenges they are facing. They help young people from disadvantaged communities and those facing the greatest adversity by supporting them to build the confidence and skills to live, learn, and earn.
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PARTNER
University of Southern California, University Relations – Civic Engagement and Economic Partnerships
GRANT TITLE
Bridges to Business Ecosystem Event Series
GRANT DESCRIPTION
This grant provides networking and learning experiences for participants of the Bridges to Business Program and other interested small business owners in Los Angeles.
ABOUT THE ORG
The USC Economic Opportunity and Entrepreneurship team advances economic opportunity through a network of programs and services. Their mission is to ensure that local small businesses and nonprofits have the tools, resources, and support to succeed.
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