Microgrants for a Macro Problem
Microgrants for a Macro-problem
Small Gestures. Big Impact.
Women have evolved as innovators and disruptive thinkers to adapt to the disadvantages of the deeply rooted societal, cultural, educational, and economic system failures in the United States. Although there are more opportunities available than in previous times, underrepresented women face microaggressions and biases in male-dominated industries still today.
HOW WE’RE HELPING
The BRICC Foundry is a non-profit organization working to alleviate this ongoing problem and celebrate Unreasonable Women, amplify their bold voices, and propel their unconventional paths to success. We are proud to announce our Working Woman Microgrant for qualifying women-owned businesses and professionals. The Working Woman Microgrant offers women assistance in obtaining headshots, media kits, business cards, web hosting, consulting, logos, and other specialized support.
NOT SO MICRO…
BRICC’s Working Woman microgrant sheds light onto the bigger picture… problem really. With record numbers of women leaving the workforce due to COVID-19, women are starting more businesses than men...still. Before the pandemic, women were starting businesses five times the national average.
“Despite women’s significant advancements in education and labor force participation, gender disparities across most economic indicators persist. The pandemic magnified issues, including unequal pay, job stability, and the impact of social norms on women’s role in society and family,” commented The Women’s Fund Miami-Dade in an op-ed in the Miami Herald.
These issues are multiplied for black and brown women. More than half of Black-owned businesses were at risk of financial distress before the pandemic, compared with about 27 percent of white-owned businesses. The pandemic contributed to tipping 41 percent of Black-owned US businesses into closure from February to April 2020.
HEADSHOT
Headshots are beneficial to business owners, directors, executives, or employees. They provide a first impression and are essential to building your network, brand and are a great way to express your charisma and show your personality. Most importantly, they establish a polished touch of professionalism. Did you know Black professionals are 26% less likely to have a profile picture on LinkedIn versus their white counterparts? Yet, members with profile pictures get 21 times more views than those without.
LOGO
Logos are essential to branding your business. A logo is a memorable way for current and future consumers to identify with your brand. Nearly half of consumers say that a logo effectively conveys a company’s personality and are more likely to patronize a brand with a logo that they recognize.
WEB HOSTING
From reliability to autonomy, web hosting provides peace of mind by fully owning your digital brand. The pandemic fast-tracked many trends, and digital transformation is one of them. Having a website gives your audience a space to engage with your business and brand directly. After a major Facebook outage, it’s clear that entrepreneurs can’t rely solely on social media to sell their products and services.
PRESS KIT
It has become more common practice for business owners and professionals to have a press kit prepared for distribution for media or sponsorship inquiries. Press kits give journalists all the facts and figures they need to understand the vision and journey of your business. This sets apart successful businesses from others who are creating a startup or launching a new product. It also allows you to adapt to any form of communication when sharing your presskit and have control over images used when journalists write about your brand.
CONSULTING
What business doesn’t need help identifying, addressing, and overcoming obstacles to meet company goals. A small business is no exception. In fact, a consultant can help extend your vision to areas not on your radar to bring out-of-the-box ideas to refresh your business - usually not for a small fee. Startups especially need an extra pair of hands to assist with market research, industry insights, and professional feedback.
BUSINESS CARD
Business cards are still a relevant marketing asset to networking and can make a lasting impression if done in a clever, creative, well-designed, and professional way. They get shown to others and shared between contacts and colleagues with great value for money spent marketing. Having a business card shows you are prepared and creates a more personal connection with any prospects you meet.
