Entrepreneurship & Small Business

Small businesses are a cornerstone of economic opportunity, creating jobs and driving innovation. Yet, many entrepreneurs continue to face challenges in accessing capital, resources, and technical support.

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Prosperity Now works to strengthen the systems that support entrepreneurs by expanding financial tools, fostering innovation, and enabling long-term business growth. We invest in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Deposit Institutions (MDIs), Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs), and peer networks to build a more connected ecosystem that delivers practical support where it’s needed most.

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Growth Business Accelerator

Prosperity Now’s Growth Business Accelerator (GBA) strengthens how CDFIs and ESOs support small businesses, particularly those operating in emerging and evolving sectors. Through training, tools, and technical assistance, Prosperity Now equips practitioners to better serve entrepreneurs while helping small businesses build resilience, navigate changing markets, and pursue growth opportunities.

Advancing Job Quality

Prosperity Now’s Advancing Job Quality initiative helps small businesses strengthen their workforce while supporting long-term sustainability.
By working with CDFIs, ESOs, and partners, this initiative provides practical strategies, peer learning opportunities, and implementation support to improve job quality and contribute to stronger local economies.

The Rise Challenge

The Rise Challenge is a national open call designed to surface and support innovative solutions that improve how community capital is delivered, managed, and measured. By elevating ideas grounded in real-world experience, the Rise Challenge brings together entrepreneurs and innovators working to address persistent barriers and supports them in developing solutions that can scale and create lasting results.

Join Our Entrepreneurship & Small Business Network

Prosperity Now partners with CDFIs, ESOs, funders, and practitioners committed to expanding economic opportunity through small business support.
By joining our network, you will:

Access tools, resources, and training opportunities

Connect with peers and partners across the country

Participate in learning communities and collaborative initiatives

Help shape solutions that better serve entrepreneurs and small businesses

Featured Tools & Resources

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Press Releases

Prosperity Now Launches ABC Initiative Tools to Help VITA Programs Prepare for Child Savings at Tax Time

Developed with support from Citi Foundation, the resources translate current child savings guidance into practical workflows, conversations and referral steps ahead of the 2027 filing season.
Two women working together on tax preparation at a desk with a tablet and books.

Press Releases

Prosperity Now Launches Updated VITA Train Materials to Help Programs Prepare for the 2027 Filing Season

Released at VITACon with support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, the updated curriculum gives VITA leaders and trainers practical resources for staff and volunteer preparation.
Minneapolis skyline with VITACon Summit Minneapolis event branding in orange and yellow.

Press Releases

Minneapolis VITACon to Focus on the Money, Tax, and Savings Changes Families Will Navigate in 2027  

Amanda Renteria, Melvin Carter, Dean Nisha Botchwey, and national tax and savings leaders to join Oct. 6 Summit at the University of Minnesota.