The Back2Business program will now offer $10,000 grants to small, minority-owned businesses in Orange County disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and systemic inequities.
Orlando, Fla. – Small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic now have access to a new resource as part of a program from Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV), a leading global provider of payments and financial services technology solutions. The Back2Business program will now offer $10,000 grants to small, minority-owned businesses in Orange County disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and systemic inequities. Businesses must fill out an application and apply for grant consideration. The application portal will be open from December 7 – 21, 2020.
The Back2Business program is a multi-tiered initiative meant to strengthen small businesses in African-American and other targeted communities by providing help through financial support, business expertise, technology solutions, strategic partnerships, and community engagement. Fiserv has pledged $10 million in small business grant support, as well as complimentary mentorship, subject matter expertise, and business coaching with its associates through Employee Resource Groups. The program will also help small businesses connect to lenders, create relationships with community financial institutions, and set up capabilities like contactless payments.
The program was initially launched in New York City and is now expanding to other parts of the country including Orange County. Businesses who have received the Back2Business grant have used their funding to weather the challenges of the times we’re in, doing things like retaining staff who might otherwise have been laid off, reorganizing physical operations to keep their employees safe, and upgrading website and online ordering capabilities.
“In these challenging times, partnership and support are ever more important.”
Tim Giuliani, president and CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership
“It is great to see larger corporations get involved and connect with small businesses in local communities—a collaboration that’s especially significant for minority-owned small businesses and the communities that they serve,” said Tim Giuliani, president and CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership. “We are proud to partner with Fiserv to get the word out about this grant as we focus on leading our regional economy recovery and are thankful for their support of our mission to advance broad-based prosperity in our region.”
If you’re a minority small business owner and would like to apply for the program, visit this link to learn more and submit your information. If you have questions and require additional resources, you can contact the Partnership’s BRACE ambassadors by going to www.BraceOrlando.org. For more media inquiries, please contact Laureen.Martinez@Orlando.org or at 407-242-3982.
