WHO WE ARE
RISE NOW INC. is a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization formed to educate and provide technical assistance and support to low-income individuals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who need access to affordable capital, relevant information, development services, and financial resources to achieve economic security and success.
Mission
Rise Now's Primary mission is to deliver capital and development services that improve the social and economic conditions of low-income people, small businesses, and residents of economically distressed communities.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of RISE NOW INC. comprises community leaders, financial counselors, and retired and active non-profit executives with over 200 years of collective experience in community development services that assist local small businesses and first-time homebuyers. RISE NOW INC. builds on the expertise that its Board of Directors acquired following the economic devastation of the COVID-19 epidemic, the September 11th attacks, and Hurricane Sandy on the communities of Chinatown, Sunset Park, and Flushing. The Board Members have also seen the successful completion of housing and community development projects in Harlem, Northern Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. The leadership team has created, capitalized, and guided Community Development Financial Institutions in New York City. These institutions raised and originated over $50 million in small business loans and secured over $300 million in affordable mortgage financing for first-time homebuyers. In addition, the collective organizational expertise of our board members encompasses substantial real estate development experience, including developing over 2,250 units of affordable and supportive housing in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods of New York City and more than 100,000 square feet of community and commercial space.
What We do
OUR APPROACH
Through innovative community outreach and education, we emphasize small businesses—including disadvantaged enterprises and low-income entrepreneurs—that often lack access to the financial services they need to start, build, and grow.
RISE NOW INC.
1) Collaborates with government agencies, family associations, and lenders to conduct relevant community outreach, seminars, and workshops on how to apply for small business-and-micro-loans as well as how to get certified to qualify to participate in City, State, and Federal contracting programs and other opportunities;
2) Assists small business owners and entrepreneurs with one-on-one counseling in locating and developing sources of credit, low-interest loans, and financial services offered by banks and other financial institutions;
3) Develops networks, linkages, and referrals with other local organizations and institutions such as Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Small Business Development Centers, and Community Development Financial Institutions on all issues and matters affecting small businesses and entrepreneurs to improve and advance the interests and growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs;