Leveraging Free Resources for Small Businesses

Are you a small business in need of financial and technical help? If you are, did you know that there is a multitude of resources available through your City, County, State, and even some Federal programs? The availability of these resources has actually increased substantially throughout the pandemic, further shedding a light on the impact and importance that small businesses and essential services have on our communities.

Below is a list of some of these resources:

Prestamos CDFI

Prestamos CDFI has a variety of no-cost business support services available, including:

• Program to Invest in Micro-Entrepreneurs (PRIME):
  • Business Advising/Coaching for businesses with under 10 employees in Arizona and Nevada
• Prestamos Women’s Business Center:
  • Startup and Business support focused on women in Central/Northern Arizona
• Microlending:
  • Ongoing advising and coaching for Microloan Clients

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA has a variety of no, or low, cost programs for small businesses including:

• Women’s Business Centers: Startup and Business Support focused on women entrepreneurs
• SCORE: Counselors that provide Business Advising and Workshops
• Small Business Development Centers: Support with business plans and applications for capital
• Veterans Business Centers: Startup and Business Support focused on women”

​​Additional Grants and Resources for Businesses:

• FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab
  • https://aofund.org/program/fedex/
  • Help for women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color to sell online and scale their e-commerce through hands-on learning.
• Nav’s Small Business Grant
  • https://www.nav.com/business-grant-contest/
  • Must be a Nav member (memberships are free). Receive up to $10,000 to take your business to the next level. Entries must be submitted between June 30th and August 6th for your chance to receive a grant.
• iFund Women
  • https://ifundwomen.typeform.com/to/tH4qW6Mq?_ga=2.27418748.1521014592.1625676560-2046645162.1625676560
  • IFundWomen Entrepreneur of the Year rewards and celebrates extraordinary women entrepreneurs who have proven product-market fit, driven growth, and demonstrated a meaningful impact through their businesses. Apply by September 20, 2021.
• Business Certifications
  • Are you a minority, women, or veteran-owned business? If so, you can apply to become officially certified as minority-owned which can open up new opportunities for federal, state, local, and corporate contracts.
  • https://nmsdc.org/
• Look in your community
  • Did you know that your local libraries and co-working spaces also offer a variety of resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs? Check your local library branch or a co-working space near you for more information.
  • https://www.joinhuub.com/

Take advantage of these resources to help elevate your business to the next level. Make sure to check out our website and social media pages to stay up to date on the latest tools, webinars, and other services we offer through Prestamos.