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  7. EforAll Receives $60,000 Grant from Santander Bank to Expand Access to Entrepreneurship

EforAll Receives $60,000 Grant from Santander Bank to Expand Access to Entrepreneurship

Funds will support EforAll programs in Lowell-Lawrence, Holyoke and Roxbury, as well as EparaTodos (an all Spanish-language program) in Lawrence

Lawrence, MA – February 11, 2020 – Continuing to expand its proven approach to help under-resourced individuals successfully start and grow their businesses, the nonprofit Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) announced today it has received a $60,000 grant from Santander Bank to support programs in Lowell-Lawrence (including the Spanish-language program in Lawrence, EparaTodos), Holyoke and Roxbury.

“Santander Bank is committed to helping communities prosper by providing philanthropic support to organizations, like EforAll, that are committed to creating strong, vibrant and inclusive economies in the communities where we live and work,” said Seth Goodall, Executive Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Santander Bank and EforAll Board Member.

Lowell-Lawrence was the site of EforAll’s first program, which launched in 2012. A Spanish-language Business Accelerator program in Lawrence— EparaTodos — followed in 2014. EforAll began operating in Holyoke in 2018, and in Roxbury in 2019.

“Massachusetts is full of entrepreneurial talent just waiting for an opportunity to make their dreams a reality,” said David Parker, CEO of EforAll. “With the help of Santander Bank, we’ll be able to reach more under-represented individuals — particularly women, immigrants and people of color — and provide them with the right tools and support so they can build and grow a successful business or nonprofit.”

Of businesses started by EforAll participants, 75 percent are owned by women, 56 percent are owned by people of color, 54 percent are owned by immigrants and 56 percent are owned by people who were previously unemployed.

EforAll’s Business Accelerator Program is a yearlong program offered twice a year at no cost to participants. Practical, in-person sessions with content specialists cover critical early-stage business challenges (including creating a value proposition, fundraising, bookkeeping, pricing and social media). Each entrepreneur is matched with a team of 3 mentors and has the opportunity to win seed money each quarter. EforAll also holds pitch contests that are open to everyone and offer an opportunity to validate a business idea, win cash prizes, network with local business owners and meet potential customers.

About EforAll

Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) is a nonprofit organization that partners with communities nationwide to help under-resourced individuals successfully start and grow a business through intensive business training, mentorship and an extended professional support network. To date, EforAll alumni have launched more than 350 businesses and created more than 680 local jobs. Programs are available in both English and Spanish. EforAll is currently available in the following MA communities: Berkshire County, Cape Cod, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford and Roxbury as well as Longmont CO. To learn more about EforAll, please visit eforall.org.