South Africa's SAB Foundation: Why 90% of its investees are still in business five years later

The Heurich House Museum in Washington, D.C., has created two targeted initiatives—the Urban Manufacturing Incubator and the DC Makers' Guild—to support local small-scale artisan businesses facing barriers to growth such as high rent fees and limited visibility. These programs provide mentorship, business coaching, market entry opportunities, like various mini markets throughout the year, and advocacy support to improve market conditions for these small businesses.

Cooperatives in Morocco, like Biosalim Cooperative, help women farmers access capital and provide training in agricultural methods, personal development and entrepreneurship to help them achieve financial stability and greater representation in their communities. Since launching in 2018, Biosalim has helped more than 4,000 women.

The Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union provides small business loans to local Black and Brown businesses, through average investments of $24,000. This small, community lender provides more funding to local businesses than larger national banks like Citibank, Wells Fargo and Bank of America, helping support local businesses and finance community development.

The Boston Ujima Project is on “a mission to create an alternative economy,” one that is inclusive on all measures. The main initiative is a community capital fund, which is considering foregoing collateral on loans in exchange for other creative metrics, in the hopes of extending loans to those often excluding from traditional banking and investment. They are also creating a timebanking initiative, where labor that benefits the community can be used as a form of currency. An accessible Boston workshop cemented the group’s commitment to being community-driven.

Ignite Business Women Investment Group and the nonprofit African Career, Education & Resources Inc. (ACER) are working together to raise funds to collectively acquire commercial real estate for members of the group and other small businesses — particularly those owned by African immigrants — in the community. Joint efforts allowed members to acquire and revitalize an old strip mall, providing retail space for local small business owners.

Sacramento’s Cannabis Opportunity and Racial Equity program is helping people who were adversely affected by discrimination during America’s war on drugs to start businesses in the regulated cannabis industry. Qualifying entrepreneurs receive wraparound support including funding and small-business education. So far, 10 dispensary licenses have been awarded to participants.

A group of female entrepreneurs created a market for other enterprising women who can’t afford to pay standard shop and licensing fees to access a safe place to sell their wares. The group connects women to train them in entrepreneurship, provide networking opportunities and inform people about the market and upcoming events via social media to drive more customers to the marketplace.

Global Entrepreneur in Residence programs, like Global Cleveland, partner with H-1B cap-exempt universities to form a pathway for international entrepreneurs looking to start and grow their business ventures in the U.S., helping to eliminate barriers international entrepreneurs face when starting a business in the states.

Local art businesses, like dance studios, record stores, and tattoo parlors, that have historically served as community centers for local creatives are working with community members to help rebuild their facilities after catastrophic flooding.

Generating Income For Tomorrow, or GIFT, works to foster economic prosperity and wealth in Kansas City’s Black community by providing grants to Black-owned businesses. Since its launch, GIFT has distributed $687,000 to 42 Black businesses and GIFT recipients have so far created more than 60 new jobs.