WHO WE ARE
MISSION
RISE NOW INC. is a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization formed to educate and to provide technical assistance and support to low-income individuals, entrepreneurs and small business owners in need of access to affordable capital, culturally-and-linguistically appropriate information, development services, and financial resources in order to navigate and overcome barriers to economic security and success.
Our Vision is to fight for an inclusive financial system with access to financial and economic opportunity that is just, fair, and equitable for all Americans.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of RISE NOW INC. is composed of community leaders, financial counselors, and retired and active non-profit executives, with over 200 years of collective experience in community development services that assist minority-and-women-owned businesses and first-time homebuyers. RISE NOW INC. builds on the expertise that its Board of Directors acquired following the economic devastation of the COVID19 epidemic, the September 11th attacks, and Hurricane Sandy on the AAPI 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, Bronx and Brooklyn. The leadership team has created, capitalized, and guided Community Development Financial Institutions in New York City, institutions that raised and originated more than $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 encompasses substantial real estate development experience, including the development of 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 place an emphasis on underserved businesses - including minority-and-women-owned enterprises, and low-income entrepreneurs - that often lack access to the financial services they need to start, build, and grow their businesses. RISE NOW INC.
1) Collaborates with government agencies, family associations, and lenders to conduct culturally-and-linguistically appropriate 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's minority-and-women-owned contracting programs;
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 Veteran's Business Outreach Centers; Women Business 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;
Projects
Rise Now Federal Credit Union (In Organization)
RISE NOW Federal Credit Union ("RISE FCU") will provide residents and small businesses of Flushing, Queens, with much-needed financial literacy, loan products, and services to thrive in a post-COVID environment. Many of Flushing's residents, especially low-income and seniors, have limited English language proficiency and limited access to basic consumer loans and financial services offered by mainstream banks. As a consequence, many Flushing residents pay predatory fees to cash their checks; complete money transfers; and send remittances.
RISE FCU's goal is to encourage savings among its members through its Share Savings Account, individual counseling, and group financial educational workshops. Once chartered, RISE FCU will offer loans to credit union members at a fair and reasonable rate and will also provide access to cashier's checks, money orders, and remittances services for minimum fees and delivered in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
Post COVID Small Business Recovery Loan Fund
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the city's poor, minority, and immigrant communities. Many Minority and Woman-owned small businesses- the core of most immigrant communities - are unable to access federal Paycheck Protection Program loans and grants and are closed or closing by the hundreds.
Working with government agencies, corporations, and foundations, RISE NOW INC. plans to launch the Post COVID Small Business Recovery Loan Fund (PCSBR). The PCSBR Loan Fund will offer small business emergency and micro-loans for working capital in conjunction with its development services such as business planning and financial coaching.