Amid a pandemic that has sent our economy into free fall, Black-owned businesses need more access to capital and funding than ever before.

So we're doing just that.

We have partnered with organizations such as BeyGOOD, Vistaprint and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, Diversity Capital, Hello Alice, and many more to support Black entrepreneurship and the businesses that have been hit the hardest as a result of COVID-19 and social uprisings.

The NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant aims to empower Black entrepreneurs and businesses through funding and resources and has, in previous years, contributed largely to the growth of Black businesses across the nation.

All rising and established Black entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for the Powershift Entrepreneur Grant. Businesses selected will receive a $25,000 grant along with resources as tools to propel their futures.

NAACP and Leslie's Certification Boost Grant is intended to assist entrepreneurs in obtaining vital business certifications, which are important to facilitate networking, business connections, and draw partnership opportunities with larger corporations and organizations.

$5,000 grants will be awarded to deserving entrepreneurs to support small businesses in rural and urban communities across five states and companies led by people of color, women, and people with disabilities, or businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones), focusing on businesses in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas.

The NAACP and the Nextdoor Kind Foundation will award chosen U.S. small business owners of color microgrants from the Keep It Local Business Fund, in partnership with Hello Alice. The hope is that these microgrants light a spark within recipients to drive change in their community and inspire similar efforts in communities around the world — ultimately creating a movement of kindness rising.

Vistaprint and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation launched the Power Forward Small Business Grant in partnership with NAACP and announced a combined commitment of $1 million. This grant program aims to create a lasting impact through the economic empowerment of Black-owned small businesses across New England with grants of $25,000 to be awarded on a rolling basis.

Grant recipients will have opportunities to be featured on national co-branded platforms and receive marketing and design resources customized to their specific needs to help their businesses grow and thrive.

NAACP x BACARDI are working together to provide dedicated support to Black-owned businesses in the beverage alcohol service, sales, and hospitality industries. Backing the B.A.R. awarded more than $350,000 in acceleration grants, education, support, and entrepreneurship solutions for Black-owned bars, restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, liquor stores, and small businesses in the process of applying for a liquor license.

BeyGOOD is on a mission to spread hope. The goal is to provide a lifeline for small businesses at the epicenter of dual pandemics. NAACP teamed up with BeyGOOD to expand economic opportunity by awarding grants of $10,000 throughout 2020.