Business Development Organization Network
Since the COVID19 pandemic began, LISC has deployed nearly $100 million in private funds to support small-businesses, including direct grants to some 4,000 small businesses. These recovery grants have helped proprietors cover rent and utilities, pay employees and suppliers, and pivot their business models to pivot toward a post-COVID business environment.
As part of this national initiative, LISC has also provided over $4.8 million in assistance to some 130 business development organizations (BDOs) across the country that provide a range of services, from help accessing affordable capital to free guidance in the nitty-gritty of business planning, cash-flow management, marketing, and staffing.
As first suggested by our 2019 Small Business Opportunity Survey, the LISC Greater Kansas City BDO Network provides culturally-competent local business support services, specifically tailored to the needs of women- and minority-owned business enterprises.
Entrepreneurs: LISC Greater Kansas City BDO Network partners are ready and available to provide customized technical assistance tailored specifically to the needs and challenges encountered by women- and minority-owned business enterprises (W/MBEs). Most BDO services and programs are available at a nominal cost, and some programs are offered free of charge.
- Hispanic Economic Development Corporation (HEDC), a CDFI partner, specializes in bilingual (Spanish) digital and financial literacy classes, bilingual entrepreneurship training programs and certificate-credentialed workforce development training throughout the Greater Kansas City Area. HEDC provides one-on-one technical assistance, quarterly business workshops, mobile computer lab program, Center for Urban Enterprise Coworking and Computer Lab, and Impacto Fund, Inc. microlending program and credit building and repair.
- Prospect Business Association (PBA) provides business consulting and coaching, workshops/training, mentorship, and access to expert resources, supports and linkages. Additionally, PBA facilitates partnerships and access to financial resources for small businesses and community redevelopment initiatives, including the creation of business plans, budgeting, basic accounting, marketing, business technology and finance and legal workshops, lectures, and trainings.
- The Porter House KC provides in-person and virtual technical assistance to low-to moderate income and minority- owned small businesses impacted by COVID-19 in Kansas City’s urban core. One-on-one and small group/virtual meetings provide small businesses with technical assistance and ongoing mentoring in areas of accounting, legal services, marketing, and business strategy. The Porter House KC also prepares minority-owned businesses for sustainability and success through access to e-commerce technology/tools, and assistance in submitting requests for recovery loans and grants.
- The Toolbox is the go-to resource for everything small business in Wyandotte County, Kansas. The Toolbox provides free support with planning, registering, funding, operating, and growing a small business. The Toolbox takes the intimidating checklist of starting and operating a business and distills it down into the essentials through private one-on-one small business coaching. All of their services are offered at no cost to local residents and businesses.
Resources for BDO Network Partners
BDO Partners: Access the Business Development Organization Network Salesforce resource page to find a comprehensive list of documents and user guides to support BDO partners and entrepreneurs.
Opportunities for BDO Network Engagement
LISC is also excited to share the following offerings with the BDO Network in the months ahead. Throughout these offerings, we will focus on shared learning, information gathering and community building. Stay tuned for further invites and announcements.
- Quarterly Assembly Meetings: With in-depth guidance and insights on some of the most critical components of small business ecosystem building.
- Monthly Network Enhancements: 30-minute “coffee shop” sessions to highlight best practices and topical conversations with partners and practitioners that are driving inclusive growth in communities across the country.
- Monthly Newsletter: With resources, announcements, partner profiles and information helpful to BDOs and small businesses. Sign up!
