Award type: project grant

The National Urban League, Inc. received a $5 million Project Grant award from the Small Business Administration Office of Entrepreneurial Development under the Community Navigator Pilot Program. Through November 2023, the National Urban League and its contractors will provide technical assistance and support services to small businesses and entrepreneurs from underserved groups impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As hubs and spokes, respectively, they will deliver one-on-one counseling and training to increase awareness of and participation in SBA and other government relief programs. This aims to support recovery among small businesses, including those owned by minorities, veterans, women, rural and disadvantaged groups.

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.