Thanks to the Columbus Chamber Foundation’s Generous Funders: The Columbus Foundation, Huntington Bank, and First Merchants Bank, the Urban Business Connection’s Ancillary Fund has reached $50K
The Urban Business Connection was launched in 2021 through a key partnership between the Columbus Chamber and Columbus Urban League. After a successful first year and the generous support of the City of Columbus, the program grew from 30 participants to 75 participants in its second year. The program is expected to launch for a third year in spring 2023 with 100 participants, once again supported by the City of Columbus.
To further support the participants of the Urban Business Connection, the program has joined forces with the Columbus Chamber Foundation, The Columbus Foundation, Huntington Bank, and First Merchants Bank to stand up an Ancillary Fund.
Participants in the Urban Business Connection have access to a suite of services (including business connections, specialized consultations, research capabilities for targeted expansion, government advocacy, and member pricing at Chamber events) and expanded services in marketing and visibility.
The Ancillary Fund will serve as a pass‐through fund that will be distributed based on the need of the members within the cohort facing unforeseen financial burdens as they grow and expand their business. These dollars will support needs in the areas of legal, accounting, marketing, HR, and other professional services. Funds will be distributed as needed through an application process, with each business having the opportunity to pull from the fund through a grant request process. It will be limited to participants of the program.
We are calling upon the business community to invest in the continued growth of the Urban Business Connection program and support the Ancillary Fund. To contribute to this fund or learn more about the Urban Business Connection and the stories behind these businesses, please visit https://columbus.org/members/urban-business-connection/.
Questions about the program and the Ancillary Fund may be directed to UrbanBusinessConnection@columbus.org.
