Wells Fargo Provides ASPIRE Community Capital and Other Charlotte-based Organizations with New Grants to Advance Economic Mobility, Racial Equity in Charlotte, North Carolina
May 24, 2021
ASPIRE Community Capital Accepts $250,000 Grant From Lowe’s Foundation, In Partnership With Goodwill®
September 29, 2021
ASPIRE Community Capital, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont and Lowe’s Foundation invite media to the celebration and check presentation ceremony for the expansion of the Community Business Academy and Business Accelerator Services at Goodwill Opportunity Campus.
A $275,000 Lowe’s Foundation grant will help ASPIRE Community Capital expand their suite of programs for underserved communities through Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. Programs available to Goodwill participants include entrepreneurial training with emphasis on critical business foundation, one-on-one business development coaching and access to resources for new business owners.
Special guests in attendance include XXX
| WHAT: |
Celebration and check presentation of Aspire Community Capital’s program expansion and partnership with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont |
| WHEN/WHERE: |
Wednesday, August 25, 2021, 10:00 a.m. Goodwill Opportunity Campus 5301 Wilkinson Blvd. in Charlotte |
| VISUALS: |
Speeches by dignitaries $275,000 check presentation B-roll of training facility. |
| MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES: |
ASPIRE Community Capital CEO, Manuel Campbell ASPIRE Community Capital Dir. Operations & Events Tya Bolton Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont Chief Program Officer, Raquel Lynch |
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Lowe’s Foundation Board Member and Senior Vice President Vincent Scalese Program Graduates: Jorieka Downey of Grits CLT LLC, Bethany Butler of Opulence Men’s Massage and Wellness, and Taylor Jackson of Pour Mixology |
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| MEDIA CONTACTS: |
Onsite: Marcel Solomon, Community Relations, 984-242-5067 Remote: Pedro Chen, Public Relations, 786-390-2763 |
| ABOUT LOWE’S: | Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving approximately 20 million customers a week in the United States and Canada. With fiscal year 2020 sales of nearly $90 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,200 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 300,000 associates. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts. For more information, visit Lowes.com. |
| ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF THE SOUTHERN PIEDMONT: |
Goodwill exists to help people see possibilities, seize opportunities and prosper. The nonprofit has been serving individuals and families in the Southern Piedmont region of North and South Carolina for 55 years. Goodwill operates 26 retail stores and has more than 30 donation sites in the region. As a social enterprise, proceeds from the sale of donated goods fund job training and employment services offered free of charge to members of the community. Goodwill partners with individuals as they identify their strengths, interests and goals, and develop marketable skills to pursue meaningful and fulfilling work that provides financial well-being, personal growth and advancement. In 2020, Goodwill helped 697 people launch new careers, provided coaching to 1,381 individuals and helped 397 people complete training. At the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, the organization partners with Charlotte Metro Credit Union, Charlotte Community Health Clinic and Dentistry, among others, to provide health and financial resources so individuals can truly be successful in work and life. You can learn more about Goodwill programs and services and view testimonials from participants by visiting www.goodwillsp.org. |
| ABOUT ASPIRE COMMUNITY CAPITAL: |
ASPIRE Community Capital radically transforms lives and communities through business ownership. ASPIRE fosters a community of entrepreneurship in Charlotte by tailoring programs that expand business skills and resources to aspiring business owners in low opportunity communities. ASPIRE helps businesses achieve an average 80 percent five-year survival rate (current North Carolina average is approximately 50 percent). From training and coaching, to access to capital, ASPIRE provides a pathway to entrepreneurial success. Over 93% of graduates increase their business acumen halfway through the program and over 50% increase their business income within six months of graduation. In the Access to Capital program, ASPIRE provides microloans to qualified entrepreneurs ranging from $2,500 – $10,000. To have a greater impact in the community, ASPIRE is doubling the number of Community Business Academy cohorts starting with Fall 2021 and plans to launch a Spanish-version of the academy in 2022. Learn more about ASPIRE programs and the Fall 2021 Community Business Academy that starts September 7th by visiting: www.ASPIRECommunityCapital.org.
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