The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently extended the application deadline for its new Community Navigator Pilot Program through July 23, 2021. Established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, this new initiative will leverage a community navigator approach to reach small businesses primarily owned by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

The program offers grants between $1 million to $5 million to eligible organizations for a two-year performance period, which is expected to begin on Sept. 21, 2021. Eligible organizations include nonprofit colleges and universities, nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) status, higher education organizations, state and local governments, economic development organizations, small business development centers, community development financial institutions and more.

The Community Navigator Program hopes to have a significant impact in revitalizing small businesses by using a lead “hub” at the center of a network of “spoke” organizations that deploys community advocates to work with small businesses during recovery. These networks leverage the business development expertise of the central hub organization and the community credibility of spoke organizations to better connect critical resources with small businesses. To learn more about the Community Navigator Pilot Program, click here.

To learn more about this grant or other opportunities available to help your business recover from the pandemic, contact Doeren Mayhew’s advisors today.