Award type: project grant

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) was awarded a $5.21 million federal Project Grant from the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Entrepreneurial Development under the Community Navigator Pilot Program (CFDA #59.077). The award will fund LISC and ten sub-awardees to provide technical assistance and support services to small businesses through November 2023.

As the primary awardee, LISC will act as "hubs" and partner with the sub-awardees, or "spokes," to deliver direct counseling, training, and resources to help underserved small businesses and entrepreneurs navigate pandemic relief programs and economic recovery services offered by the SBA and other government agencies. Sub-awardees include organizations like the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky Highlands Community Development Corporation, and Destination Crenshaw that will support local small businesses in their regions. The Community Navigator Pilot Program aims to increase participation in federal assistance programs through these community-based outreach efforts.

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.