2024 ROC Giving Circle Grant
The Reimagining Our Community (ROC) Giving Circle is a way for the community to support BIPOC small business through collective philanthropy. The Giving Circle is managed by the ROC Cohort. Its purpose is to facilitate funding to initiatives that support BIPOC-owned small businesses. Funds will be awarded to existing 501c3 non-profit organizations that have or wish to develop programming, services, or products to support the development and sustainability of BIPOC-owned small businesses in Lancaster County. The goal is that these funds will bridge gaps within existing resources to ensure that services are equitable in access, participation, and implementation.
The vision of the ROC cohort is that Lancaster County is a nurturing environment for BIPOC-owned small businesses to thrive. Our priorities are to strengthen trust among resource providers and BIPOC-owned small businesses, build equitable access to capital, and to strengthen community for BIPOC-owned small businesses.
Grants range from $1,000 – $10,000
ROC Community Conversation
April 1, 9 am – 10:30 am
Lancaster Chamber
115E. King St., Lancaster, PA 17602
Get ready to ignite innovation! The ROC Cohort is thrilled to host a Community Conversation to ignite creativity for grant project proposals. We invite all BIPOC small business owners and entrepreneurs to attend and share the barriers in our current ecosystem and the resources needed to flourish. We also invite CBOs to hear the community needs and engage in conversation. The conversation will center on understanding the current needs in order to develop projects and programs that address resource gaps, specifically in areas of strengthening trust, building equitable access to capital, and strengthening community for BIPOC-owned small businesses.
Project Examples
Equity-focused marketing campaigns
Scholarship opportunities for BIPOC entrepreneurs to participate in programming
Technical trainings and skill building workshops
Supplier diversity programs
Cultural competency trainings
Grant Timeline
Application opens: 3/12/2024
Final applications due: 5/17/2024 at 11:59pm
Award notifications: 7/19/2024
Grant funding period: 7/19/2024, to 7/19/2025
Completion Report due: 9/30/2025
