Ten companies get local funding from United Way, Minority Business Alliance

The United Way of Greater Charlottesville and the Minority Business Alliance have made a third round of grants to fund 10 organizations that are just getting started. 

“The United Way of Greater Charlottesville and the Minority Business Alliance of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce are committed to addressing historical inequities for minority businesses in our community, most glaringly to access to capital,” said Ravi Respeto, President & CEO of the United Way of Greater Charlottesville. 

Eligible firms had to be based in the Charlottesville area, including surrounding counties and have to have been in operation for at least a year and have an annual net income of less than $100,000.  The business must be 51 percent owned by a member of a minority group. They also have to be members of the Minority Business Alliance, a program of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

“This set of grants is the amazing fruition of a continued and beautiful partnership between United Way and the Chamber Minority Business Alliance that continues to provide new access to capital for minority entrepreneurs,” said MBA Treasurer Alex Urpí, founder of Emergent Financial Services. 

The organizations are:

• A Seat at the Table Events, LLC 
• Pearl Island Foods, LLC 
• Forezee Marketing Solutions, LLC 
• SteppeMedia, LLC 
• Sisters Who Care 
• SVN7VII Brand, LLC 
• Wright Group Counseling 
• Second Serve Tennis, LLC 
• Vanda Lee LLC 
• Allens Scottish Shortbread 

Each business received $5,000. 

Before you go: The time to write and research of this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment comes from the October 11, 2022 edition of the program. To ensure this research can be sustained, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or contributing monthly through Patreon.