Lingafelter Development Award
Caravanserai Project is partnering with Community Action Partnership of Riverside County to support entrepreneurs seeking to make a difference in their communities. The fund encourages nonprofit start-ups to advance their work by providing access to micro-grants of up to $1,000 awarded by the Lingafelter Development Fund. This funding opportunity is in addition to the Dream Fund Program.
Community Action Partnership of Riverside County (CAP Riverside) is a member of a national network of over 1,100 Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across the United States. The network is a legacy of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty and from the advocacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 created the Community Action Network of national and locally focused organizations that connect millions of children and families to greater opportunity. CAP Riverside’s mission is to facilitate opportunities towards self-sufficiency through education, wealth building, energy assistance and advocacy.
About the Lingafelter Development Fund
Robert Lingafelter was an employee at CAP Riverside who passed away in October of 1996 after a long battle with lung cancer. Robert dedicated his life to helping under resourced communities realize their hopes for the future. He was a trainer, a developer, and an organizer.
To honor Robert, CAP Riverside established the Lingafelter Program Development Fund. The goal of this fund is to provide small grants to grassroots organizations in Riverside County to help with startup costs, such as, helping them obtain their incorporation and 501c(3) status.
Eligibility for the Lingafelter Development Fund
- Must be a nonprofit located in Riverside County that serves low-income residents in Riverside County
- Must be nonpartisan organization and not incorporated as a State of California Charitable Organization
- Must have a volunteer board that includes, at minimum, a president, treasurer and secretary
- Have ability to develop formal written procedures, program plans, and progress reports
- Have documented community support (receipts, letters of support, etc.)
How to join
1. Apply to The Dream Fund Program
February 28 - March 25, 2022
2. Notifications to applicants
April 3 - 10, 2022
3. attend the mandatory Business Readiness Program and one-on-one mentoring sessions
1st Cohort: April/May, 2022 (TBD)
2nd Cohort: July, 2022 (TBD)
(Scroll down to learn more)
4. Apply to Dream Fund grants
Eligible organizations participating in the Dream Fund Program will be automatically considered for the Lingafelter Development Fund Award
5. micro-grants awarded
A third-party organization is responsible for the distribution of the micro-grants. Caravanserai Project will support the applicants during the process.
The Caravanserai Project Business Readiness Training Program
The Program is designed to support mission-driven start-up entrepreneurs (for-profit and nonprofit) better understand and implement the steps and strategies they need to consider as they launch and advance their venture. The program includes 7 mandatory workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions aimed to strengthen their capacity to build sustainable and profitable businesses while achieving the desired social impact.
Eligibility For The Caravanserai Project Business Readiness Training Program
Caravanserai Project is committed to support start-up mission-driven entrepreneurs from historically marginalized and underserved communities and areas and strives to eliminate the inherited barriers that these individuals face.
APPLICATION PERIOD: February 28 – March 25, 2022
Eligibility criteria
- Registered the business or obtained a business license in the State of California after July 1, 2019;
- Acquired “ALL” necessary permits to operate legally AND at least one of the following: has made a first sale; has hired at least 1 employee; has created a business banking relationship; has spent money on business expenses (including legal and accounting fees);
- Agree to inform Caravanserai Project about the progress of their business for at least one year or until the business is no longer operating.
We encourage applications from aspiring mission-driven entrepreneurs based in the Inland Empire especially:
- Women;
- BIPOC;
- LGBTQ+;
- Veterans;
- Undocumented business owners;
- Businesses in low-wealth, rural and disaster-impacted communities;
- Previous participation in Caravanserai Project SEED Lab Pre-Accelerator represents an advantage but not a condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Lingafelter Development Fund was created by CAP Riverside.
Robert Lingafelter was an employee at CAP Riverside who passed away in October of 1996 after a long battle with lung cancer. Robert dedicated his life to helping under resourced communities realize their hopes for the future. He was a trainer, a developer, and an organizer.
To honor Robert, CAP Riverside established the Lingafelter Program Development Fund. The goal of this fund is to provide small grants to grassroots organizations in Riverside County to help with startup costs, such as, helping them obtain their incorporation and 501c(3) status.
The Lingafelter Development Fund Award $1,000.
This is a partnership that leverages both funds to be used for nonprofits startups. We anticipate that not all participants will enroll in both, they may be a better fit for just one fund.
For the purpose of the Dream Fund Program, a start-up venture is defined as a new business that
is registered or obtained a business license in the State of California after July 1, 2019
for which required documentation to start the business in the State of California have been submitted
at least one of the following: a)has made a first sale; b) has hired at least 1 employee; c) has created a business banking relationship; d) has spent money on business expenses (may include legal and accounting fees)
For the Dream Fund: Yes. Only entrepreneurs who successfully graduate the Caravanserai Project Business Readiness Program and attend one-one-one mentoring sessions will be recommend for the Dream Fund micro-grants
For the Lingafelter Fund: No. This is not a requirement. This financial support is intended to cover expenses for 501(c)(3) incorporation and other foundational costs. The Dream Fund is an amazing opportunity to move to the next level.
