In our efforts to grow our region’s small, Black-, and brown-owned businesses, the Chamber is proud to announce the launch of a pilot program, made possible by Wells Fargo, to provide minority-owned small businesses located in the Greater Philadelphia region with access to resources, support, and business connections to help grow their enterprises.

Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund provides grants to local nonprofits that support small businesses and help entrepreneurs impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the fund, entrepreneurs gain access to technical assistance and services, such as business planning, financial planning or management, marketing and advertising, and other resources. As a grant recipient, the Chamber is excited to begin this work and continue executing on the aspirations of our Recharge & Recover PHL initiative.

The Chamber’s pilot program will support small business viability, growth, expansion, innovation, and increased productivity, with a priority on Black- and brown-owned small businesses as these enterprises have been most adversely affected by the pandemic. Specifically, the Chamber will provide Chamber membership at the Enterprise-level for a full year to at least 30 eligible minority-owned businesses, which includes access to marketing and advertising services; networking and exposure opportunities; education and access to thought leadership; advocacy support at the local, regional, and federal level; and more.

Applicant eligibility includes:

  • Designation as a small, Black-, or brown-owned business
  • Location in the 11-county Greater Philadelphia region (Bucks, Burlington, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Gloucester, Mercer, Montgomery, New Castle, Philadelphia, or Salem Counties)
  • At least three years of sales history
  • At least $500,000 in gross annual sales revenue
  • At least two full-time employees
  • Provider of goods, services, technology, capital, or resources to create jobs, wealth, and a predictable rate of return to investors and owners

The Chamber is committed to ensuring small, Black-, and brown-owned businesses are part of our plans for regional recovery and growth. Through this pilot program, Wells Fargo and the Chamber will be continuing our efforts to connect Black and brown entrepreneurs and business owners to opportunity, solutions, and support.

Questions? Reach out to the Chamber’s Laura Williams at lwilliams@chamberphl.com.