How Ford and Ford Fund stepped in to support minority business owners affected by COVID-19

DEARBORN, Mich. — The COVID-19 pandemic created economic hardships for many small businesses. In an effort to help Black and Latina entrepreneurs navigate this difficult time, Ford and Ford Fund provided $1 million in grants to support small business owners disproportionally affected by COVID-19.

In partnership with National Urban League, the Emergency Capital Access Program provided $600,000 in grants to Black-owned businesses. In addition to grants, the program combined technical assistance and advisory services to Black business owners through National Urban League affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New Orleans and New York.

To assist Latina small business owners, Ford and Ford Fund created the Ford Driving Dreams Latina Entrepreneurs program in collaboration with eMerge Americas and the National Development Council. In total, Ford and Ford Fund invested $400,000 in grants and resources to support Latina small business owners. Seventy-five Latina entrepreneurs from 13 states received $5,000 in financial assistance grants through the program. Grantees will also benefit from a series of free training webinars that will help strengthen and grow their business. The virtual trainings will take place bi-weekly through April and are open to the public.