Founders First CDC, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that empowers expansion in diverse founder-led, revenue-generating businesses, announced the winners of its Pride Fund Grant on Thursday, June 27, 2024  during a virtual press conference. More than 4,000  businesses applied for the grant and 25 recipients were selected, with LGBTQIA+ business owners receiving $1,000 each in cash. The grant recipients were selected from throughout country, including California, Texas, Washington, New York, Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Virginia, Minnesota, Florida, Ohio, serving a variety of industries – from energy consulting and creative strategy and graphic design to virtual bookkeeping, cleaning services, bakeries, eco-friendly tableware  and more.

The Pride Fund  recipients are as follows:

“As we wrap up another impactful year with the Pride Fund, these LGBTQIA+ business owners stand as beacons of resilience, courageously navigating the dual roles of community leaders and mothers.” said Shaylon Scott, Executive Director, Founders First CDC. “We’re truly privileged to award another group of 25 exceptional LGBTQIA+ business owners.”

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About Founders First CDC 

Founders First CDC is a not-for-profit 501c3 that was founded in 2015 and has received significant support from the regional community reinvestment banks to empower diverse founder-led, revenue-generating small businesses through three primary programs: (1) Founders Challenge; (2) Founders Bootcamp; and (3) Founders FastPath. By building recurring revenues, tech-enablement, and essential solution focus, Founders First serves as a catalyst for positive change to entrepreneurs of color and female founders to become leading employers in their communities. www.foundersfirstcdc.org