Summary Hispanic Federation (HF), in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the support of Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, is issuing a Request for Applications (RFA) to Latine led and serving community-based organizations in the State of Connecticut. This initiative, Crear y Crecer su Negocio, aims to provide technical assistance, tools, and training to support Latino entrepreneurs and strengthen the state’s Latine small business ecosystem. The program will subgrant up to ten (10) organizations up to $65,000 each to deliver services to a minimum of 75 Latino small business owners per site using HF's Small Business Toolkit. Programming will include training courses for entrepreneurs, business resiliency workshops, learning circles, and direct technical assistance. Application opens: Monday, June 16 Applications submission deadline: Friday, July 11, 2025, by 11:59pm EST Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Agencies interested in applying must attend: 1) Virtual Community Briefing on Monday, June 30, 2025, at 2:00pm EST. Register here. This informational session is designed for community members, stakeholders, and potential applicants to learn about the grant opportunity. We will cover the following topics: the purpose and objectives of the grant, eligibility requirements, the application process and timelines, available funding, evaluation criteria, and an opportunity for Questions and Answers (Q&A). 2) Virtual Compliance Overview on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 2:00pm EST. Register here. We will review federal regulations and guidelines to ensure that potential grantees understand their responsibilities and expectations. This will help minimize the risk of audit findings or fund disallowances and set the tone for transparency and accountability. U.S. Small Business Administration Request for Applications: Crear y Crecer su Negocio State of Connecticut CT SBA: RFA 2025 Project Description While minority entrepreneurship has risen, Latino business owners in Connecticut continue to face steep systemic and economic challenges—from lack of capital access to regulatory hurdles and limited digital market integration. Through the Crear y Crecer su Negocio initiative, HF will help address these disparities by: • Deploying a technical assistance toolkit • Facilitating financial education and resiliency training • Hosting business learning circles and peer exchange • Promoting economic sustainability and growth opportunities The grant timeframe is from September 1, 2025 to August 30, 2026. Funding and Participation Requirements Each selected grantee may receive up to $65,000 to implement the program over a 12-month period. Funding will support staff time, outreach, training materials, and stipends for participating small business owners. Grantees must: • Serve at least 75 Latino small business owners throughout four cohorts. • Implement the HF Small Business Toolkit • Conduct training sessions, workshops, and peer learning activities. • Track participation and outcomes defined by HF. • Participate in all required HF monitoring and evaluation activities. • Provide one Mid-Year Report and one Final Report. • Engage in community outreach activities and share with HF marketing/promotional assets for all programming, to engage in HF social media and mobilizations. All grantees will receive ongoing support from HF, including capacity building, evaluation tools, promotional materials, and opportunities to engage with a statewide network of peer organizations. CT SBA: RFA 2025 Eligibility Criteria Eligible organizations must: • Be Latine-led and serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits or have a fiscal sponsor with such status • Have operated in Connecticut for at least three years • Demonstrate a minimum three-year track record in small business/entrepreneurial support • Be registered with the CT Department of Consumer Protection Charities Unit • Maintain an annual operating budget of at least $150,000 • Submit audited financial records for the last three years • Have a fully functioning Board of Directors • Demonstrate culturally competent service to Latine and BIPOC communities • Comply with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and other legislative and program requirements Application Components Applications must include: 1. Organizational Overview – Description of experience supporting Latino small businesses 2. Program Proposal – Strategy, outreach plan, timeline, and intended outcomes 3. Budget and Financial Documents – Expense breakdown, sustainability plan, and audited financial statements for the last three year 4. Resume or CV - Key personnel involved in program execution. Evaluation Criteria We expect this selection process to be highly competitive. Applications will be scored based on: • Eligibility and alignment with HF values • Presence in and understanding of the target community • Realistic and detailed program design • Budget accuracy and financial stability • Staff qualifications and program management capacity • Willingness to participate in HF activities and reporting CT SBA: RFA 2025 Important Dates • Application Deadline: Friday, July 11, 2025, at 11:59pm EST • Community Briefing: Monday, June 30, 2025, at 2:00 pm EST [Register here] • Compliance Overview Meeting: Tuesday, July 1st, 2025, at 2:00 pm EST [Register here] • Program Start Date: September 1, 2025 • Grant Term End Date: August 30, 2026 Contact For questions regarding the initiative or the application, please contact: Alicia Diaz at ADiaz@HispanicFederation.org No obligation to contract. This request for applications does not obligate HF to contract for services specified herein. Rejection of proposals HF reserves the right at its sole discretion to reject any and all applications received without penalty and not to issue a contract as a result of this request for applications. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. This project is funded through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Hispanic Federation and SBA Announce Grant Opportunity
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