Welcome back to Life with Justin Stephens! Justin here, and as I dive deeper into my house management side hustle (inspired by Lisa Thompson's insights yesterday), today's Great Causes post shines a light on a nonprofit that's all about supporting entrepreneurs like us in underserved areas. Allies for Community Business (A4CB) provides the capital, coaching, and connections needed to turn ideas into thriving businesses, focusing on those from traditionally overlooked groups. This resonates with my goal of scaling services while adding value—organizations like A4CB make it possible for more people to build financial independence. Let's explore their mission, programs, and how you can get involved.

The Mission of Allies for Community Business

Allies for Community Business is dedicated to equipping entrepreneurs with the resources to grow sustainable businesses that create jobs and wealth in their communities. They prioritize underserved groups, including Black and Latinx individuals, women, and low-income entrepreneurs, particularly in the Chicagoland area and beyond. By offering accessible support from idea stage to maturity, A4CB helps bridge gaps in funding and knowledge, fostering economic empowerment and community resilience.

Key Programs and Impact

A4CB's programs are designed to meet side hustlers and small business owners where they are:

• Capital: Loans up to $500K and grants to kickstart or expand ventures. During the pandemic, they administered programs like the Microbusiness Recovery Grant and Business Interruption Grant, distributing millions to help businesses survive.

• Coaching: 1:1 and group sessions, including free coaching on licensing and business topics through partnerships with Chicago Business Centers. This builds skills for sustainable growth.

• Connections: Access to kitchen spaces, procurement services, and networks like the Chicago Inclusive Growth Coalition, matching diverse entrepreneurs with community organizations.

Their impact is impressive: Through pandemic efforts, A4CB supported over 8,500 small businesses with $69M+ in grants/loans via Chicago partnerships, and nearly $400M statewide in Illinois. Client stories highlight transformations, like providing first loans to rebuild credit or helping pivot for new revenue streams.

How You Can Get Involved

Ready to support? Here's how:

• Schedule Coaching: If you're an entrepreneur, book a session at https://a4cb.loanwell.com/ for personalized guidance.

• Partner or Donate: Explore partnerships at https://a4cb.org/partnerships/ to help expand their reach—donations fund loans, grants, and programs.

• Spread the Word: Follow them on social media and share their resources to connect more side hustlers with support.

By getting involved, you're investing in communities and the next wave of innovative businesses.

Why This Matters for Your Journey

In my own shift to house management, causes like A4CB remind us that success thrives with support networks. They align with our blog's focus on personal finance (through funding access), business growth (coaching for scaling), and resilience—empowering underserved hustlers to create lasting impact.

Join the Life with Justin Stephens Community

From Journal Entries on real transitions to Point of View stories like Lisa's, Life Strategy tips, Resources for tools, and spotlights like this in Great Causes, our blog is your hub for actionable advice on finance, business, sales, marketing, and more. Subscribe today at justindcstephens.com for daily posts.

Call to Action: Subscribe now, share this with an aspiring entrepreneur, and comment: What's one resource that helped your side hustle?

P.S. Tomorrow, a Journal Entries post on my first week as house manager. Stay tuned!

To your success and impact,

Justin Stephens