Dear Friends of Philadelphia—
NKCDC is ending the year in gratitude. Thanks to exceptional staff, board members, volunteers and funders, even in the middle of a pandemic and continued racial unrest, NKCDC was able to continue its mission of advancing social equity and economic empowerment by nurturing and creating opportunities for residents to live in, and actively shape, their neighborhoods of choice. NKCDC helped Philadelphians pay mortgages, rent, and utilities; supported small businesses; trained and hired a dozen new Community Health Workers; and welcomed me as the new Executive Director!
I am impressed by the energy, resilience, and dedication that NKCDC and the community shows every day.
An opportunity to support Philly’s small businesses
Even as NKCDC ends the year in gratitude, we know that many individuals, families and businesses in our community are struggling. One important need is our local small business community.
Many small businesses have been forced to close, some permanently. Many struggle to comply with changing health regulations. Few have been able to access federal, state, or city funding. Out of $13.3 million awarded to more than 2,000 Philadelphia businesses through the City’s Small Business Relief Fund, just 44 small grants came to the commercial corridors of Port Richmond, Kensington and Fishtown.
In response to the current crisis, and in anticipation of the ongoing need for this type of support, NKCDC is creating a Small Business Community Relief Fund with funds projected to be available this spring. We are targeting businesses that can’t access traditional financial systems. We are working to make the application and approval processes as quick and easy as possible, and we are minimizing the restrictions on how funds can be used. Artists and entrepreneurs are welcome!
Please join us in extending this thanks to Philadelphia’s small business community. Add your support here:
Thank you for all the ways you support our community and Philadelphia small businesses.
Sincerely,
Dr. Bill McKinney
Executive Director