Founders First Is Helping Small Businesses Get Paid, Trained, and Ready to Scale
Founders First CDC is a nonprofit that’s rewriting the playbook—writing checks, offering grant programs, and delivering real strategies to help underestimated small business owners grow, hire, and sustain. And they’re not here for the usual crowd. They’re showing up for us: Black women, veterans, moms, queer founders, and those of us building businesses without generational wealth or a VC rolodex.
Led by Kim Folsom, Founders First CDC was founded in 2015 with a mission to level the playing field. With over two decades of experience building tech companies—and being one of the few Black women to raise millions in venture capital—Kim built the organization as a response to the barriers she and so many others have faced. She’s not here to make noise—she’s here to make change. And the change is tangible.
Here’s how they’re putting money and mentorship in the right hands:
The Kitty Fund supports moms balancing the chaos of business and child-rearing. Named in honor of Kim’s late mother, Catherine “Kitty” Abrams Tadlock Webster, this annual grant offers funds that don’t need to be repaid—plus real-world training to help moms turn that capital into legacy.
The Pride Fund uplifts LGBTQIA+ founders in industries that often shut them out. This isn’t corporate rainbow-washing—it’s intentional investment in queer entrepreneurs building their own tables.
The Stephen L. Tadlock Grant is designed for veterans turned business owners. Instead of hashtags and hollow thank-yous, it offers cash and coaching to those building new missions after military service.
Growth-focused programs like FastPath and Passport are perfect for revenue-generating businesses that need structure to scale. From pricing strategies to investor readiness, these programs guide you step-by-step through what it takes to grow sustainably.
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And they’re not just handing out advice. Founders First CDC has awarded over $1.35 million in grants, supported 3,000 small businesses, and helped create more than 1,200 jobs in cities like Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, San Diego, and beyond.
They don’t assume you have everything figured out—but they do believe your business deserves a fair shot at thriving.
If you’ve ever asked, “Where do I even begin with funding or business growth?”—this is one answer that doesn’t require an invite or an inside connection.
Head over to foundersfirstcdc.org to apply for grants, enroll in a training, or explore which programs meet you where you are. Whether your business is built from a storefront, a laptop in your bedroom, or a mobile phone in between shifts—they’ve got resources designed just for you.
Bacon Magazine will always spotlight organizations like Founders First CDC—because when one of us wins, we all rise.
