Issue 1: Belief Capital and Future Potential

May 31, 2023

Howdy Neighbors 👋. GNF is focused on empowering new and diverse faces to take that first scary step into starting a business. Not a subscriber yet? Join us here:

Hey all,

Welcome to issue one of GNF’s Neighborhood News. If you’re receiving this, you’ve likely attended an event, applied for a micro-grant, or just wanted to stay in the loop. Regardless, thank you. Grassroots organizations like us wouldn’t exist without you. If newsletters aren’t your cup of tea, fee free to hit unsubscribe, though we promise to keep content relevant and spam-free.

Our commitment is to curate insights and resources relevant to new founders and those who support them. In this post-covid world of newsletters, we strive to offer a unique perspective rather than your typical industry news and events. While GNF currently operates in Buffalo and Denver, the content we share aims to be universal.

Thank you for being a part of our community 💜

(PS- If you’d just like to learn about our referral contest, scroll to the bottom.)

Here’s to you

At the heart of Good Neighbor Fund, we believe in the power of belief capital. More than just financial support— it signifies the courage to venture into the unknown, the faith in new ideas, and most importantly— the unwavering belief in the potential of diverse individuals to become changemakers.

Belief capital is about nurturing the spark in those who stand on the precipice of their entrepreneurial journey, unsure, yet filled with passion and ideas. It’s frightening embarking on something new, and it’s even more frightening without knowing where to begin.

This is where GNF steps in. We provide $1,000 micro-grants to new founders, turning belief into tangible support. We don't base our grants on past accomplishments— we invest in the future potential we see in you.

Our belief extends to the faith in your vision and judgment. We trust that you will use these funds in a way that best moves your idea forward. It’s this creative and resourceful drive that we love to support and foster in entrepreneurship.

Our support, like belief, comes with no strings attached. You maintain full ownership of your business. This isn’t an investment. This isn’t venture capital. This is an endorsement of your potential that will hopefully propel you forward on your entrepreneurial journey.

Beyond financial support, we’re committed to creating a community where belief capital thrives. We will help you identify mentors, resources, and additional funding. We strive to connect you to a community that shares your journey, your challenges, and your wins.

In our diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem, there is room for every vision— whether it's main street, SaaS, or the next big Web3 play— we celebrate the diversity of your vision as much as we do the diversity of our founders.

Reflecting on our own journey, GNF was born as a napkin idea during this past New Year's weekend. We’ve been blown away by the incredible support from the communities in Buffalo and Denver. Our growth is a testament to the power of this shared belief. We've realized that there is indeed a niche for us in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. We’ll continue to grow, to learn, to iterate, and most importantly, to empower new and diverse founders.

Believe in the potential of those around you, especially those embarking on their entrepreneurial journey. Your belief, your support, and your willingness to back someone else's vision can make a monumental difference— and your words of encouragement, your time, or your financial support can fuel a dream and transform it into reality.

Every new business that thrives today once began as a simple idea nurtured by belief. You have the power to be the catalyst in someone else's success story.

Here’s to you— whether you’re a new founder or you’re here to support them.

Cheers,

Jason & Susan

Get Involved with GNF

📣 Referral contest: Do you know someone who could benefit from our micro-grant program? Refer them! For each referral from now through June 14th, you'll be entered into a drawing to win a GNF logo “dad hat” and two tickets to either our Denver Launch Party on June 15th or the Buffalo Community Event in mid-July. Refer here.

📝 Apply: Or, do you have the next great idea? Submit your pitch today for your shot at a $1,000 micro-grant. Applications for our Y1 Summer program close on June 21st! Apply here.

If you've applied in the past and were not selected, don't be disheartened as we can only select so many awardees each quarter. We encourage you to reapply.

💜 Join as an LP: Finally, if you're interested in joining us as a Limited Partner and want to pool your time, resources, and network to further our mission, we'd love to hear from you. Join our LP waitlist here.

💸 Sponsorship: Are you interested in sponsoring this newsletter? Send us a message.