SWANSEA, NEW BEDFORD, FALL RIVER, MA – BayCoast Bank (http://baycoastbank.com) has awarded a $60,000 Challenge Grant to the South Coast office of Entrepreneurship For All (EforAll) (http://eforall.org) to be paid in $20,000 increments over the next three years. The Challenge Grant is meant to kick-off EforAll’s development efforts to support expanding programming in Fall River and New Bedford. After the initial grant of $20,000, the following years’ payments will be used to double the impact of other donations received by the organization.
The partnership was announced during the EforAll “Showcase & Celebration” held September 11th at the Wamsutta Club in New Bedford.
EforAll, which is currently located in nine communities throughout Massachusetts, has a mission to accelerate economic and social impact through entrepreneurship in mid-sized cities; the South Coast office supports the cities of Fall River and New Bedford.
The organization has developed an innovative small business/nonprofit accelerator to foster entrepreneurial growth in the communities it serves. The EforAll Accelerator is designed to assist aspiring businesspersons – regardless of background, education, industry or zip code – with the opportunities, resources and support to turn their dream of starting a business into a reality across a wide range of industries, including nonprofits.
“EforAll works with the community to ensure that traditionally underrepresented individuals have the same opportunities and support to launch and grow their business,” said Donna Criscuolo, Executive Director of EforAll – South Coast. “In the 3 1/2 years we’ve been on the South Coast, 75 businesses have launched through EforAll and those businesses have created over 285 jobs. Small business is the heart of a strong economy and helps diversify industry to maintain stability. I am delighted to partner with BayCoast Bank to ensure our programs remain free to participants and to galvanize the community to become involved with us.”
“We feel privileged to support an organization that has such a positive impact on so many budding entrepreneurs who might otherwise not have the chance to see their business dreams come true,” said Nicholas Christ, President and CEO of BayCoast Bank. “EforAll not only prepares entrepreneurs for the responsibilities they will face, it also provides the mentorship, guidance and encouragement that every aspiring businessperson needs to go the distance.”
About BayCoast Bank
BayCoast Bank is mutually-owned, serving the needs of consumers, businesses, non-profits and municipalities through 20 branches and three loan offices throughout southeastern MA and RI. Additional services are offered through the Bank’s affiliates: BayCoast Financial Services, Plimoth Investment Advisors, Partners Insurance Group, LLC, BayCoast Mortgage Company, LLC, and Priority Funding LLC. Nicholas Christ is the Bank’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Visit www.BayCoastBank.com or call 508-678-7641 or 888-806-2872.
