A Prince George-based organization is coming to the aid of women whose businesses have experienced setbacks by COVID-19.
Community Futures Fraser-Fort George (CFFFG) is handing out $85,000 in grant money for local female entrepreneurs and ‘businesses majority owned and led by women’ struggling to make ends meet during the unprecedented circumstances.
A maximum of $5,000 per successful application, each grant is earmarked for hiring an expert consultant who can help navigate a business through the pandemic in trying to find a new normal.
There are, however, several other catches:
- Business must be two years old and located in the Fraser-Fort George region
- Present financial viability prior to COVID-19 and demonstrate its operational impact
- Must be in good standing with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- Completion of CFFFG’s ‘Holy Business Crisis! Now What?’ course
“The opportunity to access a consultant grant comes at a critical time as women entrepreneurs are striving to reposition or pivot their businesses during an unprecedented time,” says General Manager Susan Stearns in a release.
“The LEAP for Women in Business grant program is enhanced with the option of accessing business coaching, available at no charge, to support all women entrepreneurs with their pivoting endeavours. These tools are only two of many support mechanisms being offered though CF FFG’s LEAP for Women in Business initiative.”
The company is also scheduled to lead its first annual LEAP Conference for Women in Business at the end of September, which will be a three-day virtual event.
“Our goal with this conference is to provide women throughout northern B.C., and beyond,” says Stearns, “with knowledge, tools, resources, and connections that they can take away and apply to their day-to-day life.”
The deadline for the first round of the grant program is slated for Oct. 20, and more information can be found on Community Futures’ website.
Funds were provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada through the Women Entrepreneur Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund.
