Award type: project grant

The Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Entrepreneurial Development awarded Syracuse University $5.2 million under the Community Navigator Pilot Program (CFDA #59.077) on December 1, 2021 to provide technical assistance and support services to small businesses through November 30, 2023. Syracuse University will serve as the hub for seven federal grant sub-awardees who will deliver services to historically underserved small business categories including minority, women, veteran, rural, and socially and economically disadvantaged owners. Services include loan assistance, grant assistance, disaster relief assistance, business technical assistance, contracting and procurement assistance, and financial literacy training. Sub-awardees will report data on services delivered and outcomes achieved utilizing SBA-approved technology and processes. This award aims to increase participation in SBA and other government programs by reaching underserved small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Activities

Provide high quality support and technical assistance with pandemic relief programs and recovery services to small businesses.; deliverables: grantees will provide reports on activities and progress toward stated goals to SBA on a quarterly basis.

Expected outcomes

Increase awareness of and participation in programs of the u.s small business administration and other government agencies.

Intended beneficiaries

Small businesses and entrepreneurs that fall into a historically underserved category, including minority entrepreneurs (black, indigenous, and people of color), entrepreneurs with disabilities, lgbtq entrepreneurs, rural entrepreneurs; veterans and military entrepreneurs (including spouses), women entrepreneurs, innovative startups, micro businesses, and socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses

Subrecipient activities

Grantees (hubs) and their contractors (spokes) will provide high quality support and technical assistance with pandemic relief programs and recovery services to small businesses. This support takes the form of 1:1 counseling and group trainings.