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First to Feel COVID-19's Impact, Chinatown is First to Deliver Aid for Small Business

Oscar Perry Abello

April 02, 2020 |

Next City |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Renaissance Economic Development Corporation, a nonprofit loan fund in New York City, has helped Chinatown small businesses recover through 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy, and COVID-19 is the newest crisis it needs to navigate. It has been able to rely on its larger than standard loan loss reserve to have room for emergency loans to provide swift and integral support to Chinatown businesses.

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China's Venture Capitalists Start Making Deals, Amid Signs of Recovery

Yunan Zhang

March 31, 2020 |

The Information |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: China

China's economy has slowly begun to show signs of reopening and recovering, which has led some companies to begin fundraising. Consumer brands that saw an uptick in usage during the pandemic – such as an online grocery delivery startup, an online education tutor, and even an online makeup retailer – have so far been successful in their efforts to raise funds with investors saying that "in the current climate of uncertainty, they were more comfortable betting on the companies that are leading their industries."

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Mission-Driven Lenders Already Providing Assistance to Vulnerable Businesses During COVID-19

Oscar Perry Abello

March 26, 2020 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

The Business Center for New Americans, a nonprofit that offers loans with a focus on immigrant-run businesses, is going above and beyond to make sure its lenders get through the COVID-19 economic crisis. They are offering tailored support on how to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, sharing other grant and loan opportunities, and using its status part of the SBA’s Microloan Program to offer new loans.

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Bodegas and Corner Stores Are Part of Crisis Response — They're Also Uniquely Vulnerable

Oscar Perry Abello

March 19, 2020 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, bodegas offer local supplies in many food deserts across the country. While the bodegas struggle to find funding and stay in business for their neighborhoods, they also fight their way into policy discussions and micro-loan programs to stay afloat for low-income neighbors needing healthy food options.

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How design-build coops are creating a new economy in New England

Chad Small

February 29, 2020 |

Co-operative News |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Massachusetts

Design-build coops are employee-owned businesses operated under a democratic business model that "considers people, planet, then profit." These coops have steadily increased in New England resulting in workplaces that have a smaller pay-gap between the highest and lowest paid employees of a company, motivates employees who are invested in the long-term success of a company, result in companies better equipped to weather recessions and in turn, allow for more focus on green design models.

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Leveling the Playing Field

Jessica Press

February 24, 2020 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Black Girl Ventures levels the playing field for women of color who seek capital for their business ventures. Entrepreneurs are invited to pitch their ideas at crowdfunded sessions, which means the funding varies depending on the size of the crowd and its willingness to invest. In addition to capital, BGV recognizes the need for minorities to access a network, mentoring, and business coaching to navigate the systems necessary to build a business. The nonprofit has chapters in several cities and works with local organizations that are already in place helping black businesses.

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What a Public Bank Can Do for Real People

Oscar Perry Abello

February 19, 2020 |

Yes! Magazine |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, North Dakota

Public banking has allowed the state of North Dakota to flourish economically in a way that private banking there would not have enabled. From hospitals, to childcare centers, business development programs, and student loans, the state-owned Bank of North Dakota has subsidized local resources that give residents a better quality of life and access to more opportunities.

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Poor credit is a barrier to affordable housing. Lending circles are a tool for those in poverty

Nicole Hayden

February 14, 2020 |

Desert Sun |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Coachella Valley, California

Lift to Rise, a Coachella Valley nonprofit that pushes for housing and poverty policy change, launched a local lending circle program aimed at serving minority residents break the cycle of poverty. Partnered with San Francisco-based Mission Asset Fund, the lending circle helps those with poor credit or no credit at all to build up a spending history, have access to loans, create a savings account, improve their score, and more. Since 2008, Mission Asset Fund has partnered with more than 50 organizations across the U.S. to provide lending circles to more than 9,000 clients.

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Meet Pakistan's Barefoot Entrepreneurs

Adeel Ahmed

February 13, 2020 |

Pioneers Post |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Pakistan, Sindh

Pakistan's poorest citizens, who previously panhandled for their basic needs, were launched onto an entrepreneurial path by the Heritage Foundation Pakistan. Eight impoverished communities have been trained in the craft of glazed tile work and terracotta art to lift the participants out of poverty. The program also created a market of interdependence, so the villages can purchase goods from one another, freeing them from relying on cities for their livelihood.

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How Fines and Fees Reform Became a Priority for Cities Across the Country

Emma Coleman

February 06, 2020 |

Route Fifty |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Durham, North Carolina

From North Carolina to California, states and cities are taking a new approach to fines and fees – people are having their charges dismissed, warrants for minor offenses cleared, and many municipalities are actually saving money by spending less on collections. With a system that was built because it provided cities and states with revenue, there has been a realization that it disproportionately targets communities of color and often keeps people stuck in cycles of debt. With this national awakening, resources and networks are being created so other places can implement the same change.

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