Elijah Cheeks’ Post

💡 My Secret Business Funding Hack 💡 Whenever you’re applying for funding, do this: • 🔄 Sequence your applications. • 💳 Focus on building your business credit. • 🤝🏿 Network with others in your community. I call it the Funding Sequence Effect. It works because when you’re strategic, you achieve: 1. 📈 Higher approval rates 2. 💰 Better funding amounts 3. 🌐 Stronger community ties It’s not just about applying; it’s about how you apply! #FundingHacks #BusinessSuccess #Community

No one cares about what you do. They care about what you can do for them. A solid grant strategy is all about the value it brings to your mission. Try this: • Dig into those hidden funding gems—look at local foundations and regional businesses that don’t always make the big lists but are hungry to invest in their community. • Build real connections with past grant reviewers—learn what really grabs their attention and what’s easy to skip over. • Map out a “grant impact timeline” that shows funders exactly how their money moves the needle at every stage. It builds trust and keeps things transparent. • Create a “grant wish list” with your community’s backing. Those letters of commitment aren’t just words—they’re your secret weapon. Creative connections that hit different make your mission unforgettable.

Exciting news from East Bay Community Foundation. Their new Oakland Small Business Resiliency Fund will provide vital support for diverse, resilient small businesses in Oakland. These grants (ranging from $5,000 to $25,000) are dedicated to helping businesses thrive and address challenges that limit their growth and threaten their survival, including hiring shortages, lack of affordable commercial space, and barriers to accessing low-cost capital. Read more and spread the word. Brandi Howard Sabrina Wu Kiah Albritton Nicole Carroll

4️⃣ things founders underestimate this time of year: ✅ re-engaging conversations with your network - from fundraising to mentorship - you’d be surprised how many calendars are in flux ✅ scheduling time off around holidays - if you have a community, clients or a team - let them know your dates off so they can respect your break ✅ APPLY FOR GRANTS - we just posted 220 live grants from $500-$200,000+ (they are NOT government grants - these are corporate grants from large orgs that get tax breaks for giving grants!) ✅ carve out time to create a 2025 vision board and adjust your budget - I personally need to schedule this in my calendar to make it happen

Learn how certified #CDEs drive community development through the #NMTC program! Join us Cherry Bekaert for its final Strategic Financing Services 2024 Speaker Series session as we uncover the impact of CDE certification and its role in deploying funding for community initiatives. Get valuable insights and success strategies: https://okt.to/AWKSgF #CommunityDevelopment #Funding #EconomicDevelopment

Credit card processing can feel a bit complex, but we promise we make it simple. At Giv Local, we’ve taken the everyday credit card processor and turned it into a tool for positive change. Every swipe, tap, or click with us means a portion of the revenue goes directly to local nonprofits. It's a seamless way to keep your business running smoothly while supporting the community. We're here to make your business payment processing simple for you, and impactful for your community. With Giv Local, every transaction makes a difference. #GivLocal #SupportLocal #CommunityImpact #GivingBack #FinancialInnovation

NONPROFIT - QUICK RESEARCH TIP When researching nonprofits, one avenue not to be overlooked is the nonprofit's IRS FORM 990. The 990 is a tax form that the organization files annually and provides an overview of the activities and financial information. There are many online sources to obtain the 990, such as directly from the IRS. However, one of my favorite free online tools is Cause IQ. What I like about Cause IQ is that they provide a summary of the key details from the 990 and even graph out total revenues, assets, and expenses over the past few years, so the user can get an idea as to organization trends. Here is the link. https://www.causeiq.com/ #privateinvestigator

Does your community have a Master Plan? Let CPS help you get started! Having a master plan can guide your community's future goals, create a sense of community identity, and help you secure funding for future projects. Or maybe your community has a Master Plan but it's outdated. Our team can assist you in the process of creating a Plan and guide you on where to get funding. #MasterPlan #CommunityDevelopment #FundingOpportunities #CommunityIdentity #CPSLLC

Learn how certified #CDEs drive community development through the #NMTC program! Join us Cherry Bekaert for its final Strategic Financing Services 2024 Speaker Series session as we uncover the impact of CDE certification and its role in deploying funding for community initiatives. Get valuable insights and success strategies: https://okt.to/kDCTQf #CommunityDevelopment #Funding #EconomicDevelopment

Learn how certified #CDEs drive community development through the #NMTC program! Join us Cherry Bekaert for its final Strategic Financing Services 2024 Speaker Series session as we uncover the impact of CDE certification and its role in deploying funding for community initiatives. Get valuable insights and success strategies: https://okt.to/HXiMFt #CommunityDevelopment #Funding #EconomicDevelopment