Early-stage Black Women

The Ìpàdé Tanna Fund is a giving circle dedicated to awarding microgrants to early-stage Black women and gender-expansive innovators in the Washington, DC metro area. This initiative directly aligns with Ìpàdé's mission to contribute to the growth and success of Black innovators, recognizing the historical and current systemic barriers, including racism, that lead to funding disparities for Black business owners. The fund aims to address these inequities by providing crucial capital and support to launch transformative business ideas. The target beneficiaries of the Tanna Fund are Black women and gender-expansive entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of launching their businesses. The impact goals are centered on fostering economic empowerment and reducing the funding gap experienced by Black innovators. By providing microgrants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, the Tanna Fund seeks to enable these entrepreneurs to establish and sustain their businesses, thereby contributing to wealth creation and community development. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly defined by its eligibility criteria. Applicants must identify as a woman or gender-expansive person and as Black or of African Descent. Their business structure must be established or formally established within six months, and they must have received less than $5,000 in previous grant funding. Furthermore, the business must be based in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC. These criteria ensure that the grants are directed to those most in need and most aligned with the fund's objectives. The expected outcomes include an increase in the number of successful Black-owned businesses in the Washington, DC region, improved access to early-stage capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs, and a reduction in the disparities in business funding. Measurable results would include the number of microgrants awarded, the survival rates of grantee businesses, and the growth in revenue or employment among these businesses. The Tanna Fund's strategic priority is to dismantle systemic barriers to economic success for Black innovators, operating under the theory of change that targeted financial support and resources at critical early stages can significantly mitigate the effects of systemic racism and foster entrepreneurial success within this demographic.