Earl Skip Cooper Foundation
“Serving Humanity"
Community News
News, Grants, Fundraisers & more
ESCF is an organization that's aim is to share
projects that assist in positive support in the business communities across the country
BUILD BACK CRENSHAW
The Destination Crenshaw construction project will support the future of this community.
But the economic impact starts now.
DC is working to ensure that 70% of the workers for this project are hired from our community.
As we reach this critical point in Sankofa Park’s construction, begin work on the Crenshaw Wall, and the sidewalks along Crenshaw Blvd, we have a great opportunity for South Los Angeles general contractors to help us cross the finish line.
We are hosting an informational session in partnership with GLAAACC to share information on the upcoming parklet RFP opportunity and learn from you about how we can address the current barriers in place that prevent South Los Angeles contractors from being competitive in public bidding processes.
From the beginning, our hope was to place as many of the local workers who live in and around the Crenshaw District on this project as possible. Now, with this information session, we take the next step in making this goal a reality.
UTILITY ASSISTANCE FOR INCOME-QUALIFIED HOUSEHOLDS
Struggling with unpaid utility bills? Income-qualified household may be eligible for up to $5,000 in financial assistance. Get the help you need to keep your utilities on and your family safe. Learn more about the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) and apply today at Help Is On the Way 2022 (ladwp.com).
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Are you a small business owner looking for funding? The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers loans and grants to help you grow your business and succeed. SBA provides resources to help you start and expand your business.
We don’t want you to miss out on these critical resources for your small business!
Looking for capital to help your small business grow? LISC's nonprofit partner, Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF) is here to support your business needs. As one of the largest nonprofit CDFI lenders in the country, AOF has lent over $800 Million to more than 30,000 small business owners just like you.
Is the working capital loan right for you?
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Loans up to $100,000
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Interest rates between 5.99% and 17.99%
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Transparent and flexible terms between 12 - 60 months
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No prepayment penalties
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Use the loan for purchasing equipment, inventory, hiring new staff, advertising, and much more to grow your business.
Start your application and get a pre-qualification* loan offer in just 15 minutes. Completing a pre-application will NOT affect your credit score.
Operation HOPE and Wells Fargo Host New HOPE Inside Location in L.A.
From left are Kristy Fercho, Alejandra Lozano, Saul Van Beurden, John Peraza, John Hope Bryant, Charlie Scharf, Patty Juarez, Julisa Jimenez, and Darlene Goins. (Courtesy photo)
Operation HOPE and Wells Fargo recently announced the grand welcome of a new ‘HOPE Inside’ location in Los Angeles, California. The award-winning HOPE Inside program, which offers access to free financial coaching services, will be located within Wells Fargo’s Florence & Central Branch, 1144 E. Florence Ave., in Los Angeles, CA.
Operation HOPE is a nonprofit founded by John Hope Bryant in 1992 following the LA uprisings. The organization’s mission is to disrupt improve the financial wellness of millions of low- and moderate-income families across the nation with a focus on financial dignity and inclusion. (LA Sentinel)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – JUNE 16, 2019 – The Texas African American History Memorial is an outdoor monument commemorating the impact of African Americans installed on the State Capitol ground/Moab Republic. (Courtesy photo)
Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Even before that national proclamation, Juneteenth had been recognized as a holiday in California.
For many Americans – including some Black Americans — Juneteenth was not celebrated in their families or taught in schools. It wasn’t until activists and historians led grassroots movements for decades that the holiday became more widely recognized.
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Team DEO, with support from Inclusive Action for the City, Community Power Collective, and local County partners, are here to help sidewalk vendors start up and thrive in our growing open-air economy, while also ensuring safe and healthy communities through compliant sidewalk vending operations.
Sidewalk vendors can sign up for FREE one-on-one counseling and informational webinars, such as business accounting and taxes, developing operational procedures, and getting a health permit, learn about contracting with the County and partners, stay in touch on upcoming opportunities to access new code compliant carts, to register with DEO as a street vendor, and more!
Looking for capital to help your small business grow? LISC's nonprofit partner, Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF) is here to support your business needs.
As one of the largest nonprofit CDFI lenders in the country, AOF has lent over $800 Million to more than 30,000 small business owners just like you.
Is the working capital loan right for you?
-
Loans up to $100,000
-
Interest rates between 5.99% and 17.99%
-
Transparent and flexible terms between 12 - 60 months
-
No prepayment penalties
-
Use the loan for purchasing equipment, inventory, hiring new staff, advertising, and much more to grow your business.
Start your application and get a pre-qualification loan offer in just 15 minutes. Completing a pre-application will NOT affect your credit score
Have questions about credit scores, your capital options, or accessing AOF capital?
Schedule time to speak with an AOF credit advisor, completely FREE!
AOF’s expert coaches have helped more than 1,000 small business owners in the last year with access to capital, start-up strategy, marketing, legal, and more!
Featured Grants
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 28, 2023
Media Contact
Margarita Williamson
(323) 428-0413
Official Name Unveiling & Dedication Ceremony for the Jacqueline Avant Children and Family Center Ushers in Critical Health Care Services for South LA
LOS ANGELES, Calif.— Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell joined Nicole Avant, daughter of the late and prolific philanthropist, Jacqueline Avant, the MLK Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation and over 100 special guests to commemorate the name unveiling for the Jacqueline Avant Children & Family Center (The Center) located in the Watts-Willowbrook community.
The three-story and 50,000 sq. ft. Center will serve as a national model for programs that address the complex needs of at-risk children struggling with trauma, health, and mental health problems. The first floor is now open, and the second floor will open to the community this summer. The third floor will be finished by the end of this year.
“It was an honor to join the Avant family for this special day. I cannot think of a better way to uplift Jacqueline Avant’s legacy. She dedicated her life to supporting and investing in a brighter future for the children of South LA,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District. “The Jacqueline Avant Children & Family Center is a welcomed community asset to the Second District that furthers our commitment to support children and families in accessing a multitude of health and mental health resources.”
“My family and I are thrilled and honored to celebrate the unveiling of the Jacqueline Avant Children and Family Center,” said Nicole Avant. “For over 50 years, my mom was dedicated to the mental, physical, and spiritual health of the children and families in South Los Angeles and was on a mission to improve the quality of life for those less fortunate. This new state of the art facility is evidence that my mother’s vision and her commitment to serving others has come to fruition and nothing makes me prouder.”
The County of Los Angeles invested $55 million to build the new Center that will serve thousands of children and teens, including many who are entering or involved with the County’s foster care system.
Thanks to the generosity of friends and supporters of Jacqueline Avant, and in partnership with the MLK Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation, furniture, electronics, artwork, books, and equipment were purchased to support the operations of the first floor Pediatric Clinic, and additional funds have been dedicated to support programming, a playground and wrap-around services for the youth served at The Center.
“We have been awed by the outpouring of generosity among Jacqueline Avant’s closest friends and supporters,” said Linda Griego, Founder of the MLK Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation. “The MLK CDC Board of Directors are honored to partner with Supervisor Mitchell and the County of Los Angeles to ensure that Jacqueline Avant’s dedication to uplifting the lives of the most vulnerable children and young people in South Los Angeles can continue within the building that now celebrates her contributions and will forever uphold her legacy.”
The Center will also house an Autism Wellness Center run by the Special Needs Network and a federally qualified health clinic operated by St. John Well Child Center on the second floor. On the third floor, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health will operate a crisis stabilization unit for children ages 3-12 that will be the first in the County to serve this population.
To view photos from the event, click here.
For Immediate Release
Florence Library Moves to Shared County Building with Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
and Aging & Disabilities Departments
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA— LA County Library and Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell will host an Open House on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the Florence-Firestone Community Service Center (7807 Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90001) at 10 am to celebrate the reopening of the newly remodeled Service Center.
Florence Library will occupy the entire second floor of the two-story, 16,500 square foot Florence-Firestone Community Service Center, providing a beautiful and expanded space for customers to enjoy. The Library shares the building with the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) and the Aging & Disabilities Departments, which are located on the first floor of the facility.
What: Florence Library Open House
Who: Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Skye Patrick Library Director, Dean Logan Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Dr. Laura Trejo, Director of Aging & Disabilities Department
When: Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 10 am
Where: Florence-Firestone Community Service Center, 7807 Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90001
About LA County Library
Founded in 1912, LA County Library is one of the largest and most innovative library systems in the US. It provides culturally responsive and dynamic collections, programs, and services to meet the literacy, information, personal enrichment, and entertainment needs of all residents across Los Angeles County. Dedicated to reducing barriers and increasing equitable access for all, LA County Library serves 3.4 million residents across 3,000 square miles through its 85 community libraries, 1 institutional library, and mobile fleet of 15 vehicles, including 4 Bookmobiles, 6 MākMō (maker mobiles), 3 early literacy vehicles, and 2 mobile outreach vehicles. To learn more, visit LACountyLibrary.org and follow @LACountyLibrary on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
LA County Library Contact
Karol Sarkisyan, pio@library.lacounty.gov, 562.412.9902
Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation announces Quentin Strode as President/Chief Executive Officer
Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC), the community-based non-profit organization that advocates and provides resources ...continue reading
With a heavy heart, I am reaching out to our network of prayer warriors to lift up my friend Jacque Bee in prayer for full recovery, strength, and courage during this time, My business partner, a good friend, and Co-Director of Recycling Black Dollars, Jacque Bee has been diagnosed with cancer.
Those who know Jacque, know that she is "RBD"...she has dedicated her life to Recycling Black Dollars for over 30 years; first with the founder, Muhammad Nassardeen, and then she and I have been committed to carrying on his mission and legacy.
This is Jacque Bee’s story!
A single woman with no children she has made it her life’s mission to be of assistance to all. To assist individuals and organizations in helping to
build their brands, sell their products, and be of service to the communities that she loves.
Waking up in the middle of the night with a cramp-like pain in her leg. 2 months later the pain is worse and she could barely walk. Finally going to the doctor to be told she has CANCER.
We are humbly asking for help. Anything you can contribute to making her load lighter would be greatly appreciated. And please, as you say your prayers, send up a special blessing and prayer for Jacque Bee.
Black women-owned businesses are vital to our economy yet receive less than one percent of venture capital funding. Fearless Fund is deepening its commitment to this community with the launch of the 2023 Fearless Strivers Grant Contest.
With Mastercard prizing, we’ll be awarding four lucky small businesses across the country with $20,000 grants, digital tools to help them grow their business online, and mentorship so they can continue to bolster their business. There are four entry periods throughout the year. Don’t miss your opportunity, simply complete the entry form for your chance to win. Click the ‘Apply Now’ button below and enter today!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. THIS IS A SKILL BASED CONTEST. Void where prohibited. Open to black women who are legal U.S. residents (including DC), 18+ and the principal owner of a U.S.-based small business. Ends 8/31/23.
See Official Rules for complete details.
City of Charlotte Teams Up With Operation HOPE To Connect Local Black Businesses To Resources
Under the agreement, Operation HOPE will help connect the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, to a plethora of resources for Black businesses ...
Dear Friend,
I’m deeply concerned about sharp increases in evictions now that certain renter protections have ended as of this past Friday. As we work to bring Angelenos inside, we also have to work to prevent Angelenos from falling into homelessness.
In response, the City of Los Angeles has extended some of the emergency protections within the city limits and enacted new permanent protections to ensure that you have rights and are protected against unlawful eviction.
Even if you are not impacted by the end of the COVID-19 emergency protections, please share the information below with your networks. No one in our City should face any form of housing discrimination or an unlawful eviction.
There is a role for every one of us to play in the work ahead – which means we need to keep in touch! Please click here to sign up for updates directly from me. I look forward to working with you and Angelenos all across our City to get big things done together.
Karen Bass
Mayor of Los Angeles
NEWS RELEASE
Disaster Field Operations Center West
Release Date: April 3, 2023Contact: Mark W. Randle, (916) 735-1500, Mark.Randle@sba.gov
Release Number: CA 17842-01Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs & Instagram
SBA Stands Ready to Assist California Businesses and Residents Affected by the Severe Winter Storms, Straight‑line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to California businesses and residents as a result of President Biden’s major disaster declaration, U.S. Small Business Administration’s Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced.
The declaration covers Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare and Tuolumne counties as a result of the severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began Feb. 21, 2023, and continuing.
“SBA’s mission-driven team stands ready to help California’s small businesses and residents impacted by severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides,” said Administrator Guzman. “We’re committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer‑centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild.”
Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, which includes their disaster damaged personal vehicles.
Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.375 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.375 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov. As soon as Federal-State Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the affected area, SBA will provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants. Additional information and details on the location of disaster recovery centers is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.
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The Los Angeles Department of Economic Opportunity announced the launch of their new Economic Opportunity Grant (EOG) program, which will distribute more than $54 million across 6,800 grants to small and microbusinesses and nonprofit agencies, prioritizing the most COVID-impacted and highest-need communities and organizations in LA County.
Phase One, beginning today, targets microbusinesses with under $50k in revenue and will award grants of $2,500 per grant, funded by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. Interested applicants can visit grants.lacounty.gov today to:
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Apply now & view full eligibility criteria
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Access the EOG Application Assistance Center
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Connect to one-on-one virtual or in-person events
Stay tuned for the launch of Phase Two in February 2023. Grants in Phase 2, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will award $15,000 or $20,000 per grant for small businesses, and $20,000 or $25,000 per grant for non-profits. EOG will run through May 2023 or when available funds are expended.
Help us spread the word about EOG! Please use the following materials to share information Countywide:
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Access our EOG Fact Sheet
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Share social media content from our centralized ARP Digital Toolkit & tag @EconOppLA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
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Catch Team DEO in the News
Special thanks to our partners Lendistry and the LA Small Business Development Centers, who've been helping Team DEO create a streamlined, central application portal for EOG and help us connect with hard-to-reach communities.
Phase One is Open now until March 25, 2023
Connect with DEO's Office of Small Business
Our Office of Small Business (OSB) can help residents access customized one-on-one business counseling, free legal assistance, specialized workshops, trainings, & more. Contact the OSB at 844-432-4900 or via email at OSB@opportunity.lacounty.gov.
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For Immediate Release
February 22, 2023
LA County’s $54 Million Economic Opportunity Grant Program to Open to Microbusinesses, Small Businesses, and Non-Profits
Los Angeles, CA – On Thursday, February 23, 2023, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) will announce the launch of Phase 2 of the Economic Opportunity Grant (EOG) program for qualified microbusinesses, small businesses, and nonprofits in LA County.
DEO launched Phase 1 of the EOG program on January 25, 2023, initially accepting applications only from microbusinesses ($2,500 per grant), and is now expanding the program to include small businesses ($15,000 or $20,000 per grant) and non-profits ($20,000 or $25,000 per grant). EOG will award more than $54 million across 6,800 grants to regions and organizations adversely affected by COVID-19.
These grants are funded through the California Office of the Small Business Advocate and the federal American Rescue Plan. DEO has partnered with Lendistry and the Los Angeles Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) to create a central application portal for the EOG program available at grants.lacounty.gov and to facilitate direct concierge support to applicants.
Grant Program Has
$54 Million to Disburse
Applications are open for the first phase of the Economic Opportunity Grant program launched by the county and being administered by downtown-based Lendistry and the local Small Business Development Center. “It’s a wide range of what they might be leveraging the money for,” said Lendistry Chief Executive Everett K. Sands. “It’s interesting in terms of what the businesses utilize the money for, and you’d be surprised.”
