Shared Access Playbook • Network Leaders
Economic Opportunity Channel
Partner with corporate funders, CDFIs, and workforce platforms who want church distribution for small business support, entrepreneurship programs, and financial tools. Negotiate group pricing and revenue share.
What's Inside:
Case study: Operation HOPE/Shopify served 462K+ entrepreneurs via church networks
Revenue model: $500-$1,000/church/month or 15-25% of software fees
90-day pilot: Secure 1 enterprise partner → Test with 3 churches → Scale
Five Resource Channels You Can Activate
From Shopify grants and CDFI capital to corporate supplier diversity and faith-based accelerators, these channels bring entrepreneurship capital to your network—without individual churches building capacity.
1. Shopify Build a Business Competition
$5K-$10K grants for entrepreneurs. Your network acts as the aggregator—coordinating applications, providing pitch training, and connecting winners to follow-on support.
Operation HOPE + Shopify — 1 Million Black Businesses (1MBB) Initiative
Launched October 2020, Operation HOPE's 1MBB Initiative operates through 284 HOPE Inside locations embedded in banks, credit unions, and faith institutions across all 50 states. As of December 2024, the initiative has engaged 462,814 Black business owners, delivered 518,165 small business services, and helped launch 6,000+ new businesses. Shopify committed approximately $130 million in resources over the 2020-2030 timeline, including platform access (120-day free trials), technical resources, and direct programmatic funding.
- Entrepreneurs Served
- 462,814 Black business owners
- Businesses Launched
- 6,000+ new businesses
- Shopify Commitment
- ~$130M (2020-2030)
Urban Faith Business Collaborative — Shopify + CDFI Network
A 15-church network in urban core identified 20-30 entrepreneurs (current or aspiring) and activated Shopify Build a Business + Founders First CDC partnership. Economic outcome: 6 entrepreneurs received $5K-$10K Shopify grants; 3 accessed low-interest loans via Founders First ($15K average); 2 new businesses launched, 4 existing businesses stabilized.
- Network Investment
- $12K startup + $50K annual (1.0 FTE coordinator)
- Value Channeled
- $105K grants + capital Year 1
- Timeline
- 8 months from partnership outreach to first grant
Sample Budget: 15-Church Entrepreneurship Network (Year 1)
| Item | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Business Cohort Design | Curriculum development, tools | $2K-$4K |
| Shopify/Founders First Partnership | Initial outreach, MOUs | $2K-$4K |
| Entrepreneur Roster Audit | Survey tools, database setup | $2K-$3K |
| Pitch Night Infrastructure | Venue, A/V, marketing materials | $3K-$5K |
| Marketing Materials | Flyers, digital campaigns | $1K-$3K |
| Business Coordinator (1.0 FTE) | Application support, mentorship coordination | $40K-$60K |
| Total Year 1 Startup Investment | $12K-$22K | |
| Total Year 1 Annual Ongoing | $40K-$65K | |
| Value Channeled: $60K-$225K in grants, capital, and contracts (200-350% ROI) | ||
Economic Impact: Corporate Capital Meets Community Trust
- Legitimacy Transfer: Corporations borrow church trust to reach BIPOC entrepreneurs; churches borrow corporate legitimacy to professionalize operations.
- Conversion Rate: 1.3% of engaged entrepreneurs launch businesses (6,000 / 462,814)—proving the model moves beyond training to action.
- Credit Building: 64% of clients experience FICO score improvements (avg +39 points), opening access to commercial credit.
- Activation Rate: 40-60% of participating entrepreneurs successfully access grants or capital within 12 months vs. <10% without network support.
2. Founders First CDC — CDFI Capital Access
Low-interest loans, mentorship, and business scaling support for Black/Brown entrepreneurs. Your network provides the pipeline; Founders First provides the capital and technical assistance.
Founders First CDC — National 501(c)(3) CDFI Network
Founded 2015, Founders First operates as a national CDFI focused on empowering diverse founder-led, revenue-generating businesses. Geographic focus: Texas, Chicago, Southern California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Minneapolis-St. Paul. As of 2024, deployed $620,000 to minority and underserved business owners across regions. Recent example: $100,000 to 30 businesses in PA/NJ grants ($1,500-$10,000 per business).
- Capital Deployed
- $620K+ to date
- Geographic Reach
- 6 regional markets
- Program Model
- Founders Challenge → Bootcamp → FastPath
Urban Faith Business Collaborative — CDFI Loans + Grants
The 15-church network partnered with Founders First CDC and helped 3 entrepreneurs access low-interest loans ($15K average) = $45K in CDFI capital accessed. Quarterly pitch nights hosted at member churches where business coordinator facilitated applications and matched entrepreneurs with mentors.
Economic Impact: De-Risking Early-Stage Capital
- Equity Gap Solution: Minority entrepreneurs lack "friends and family round"—CDFIs provide patient capital without toxic early debt.
- Church Pipeline Value: Network provides validated entrepreneurs (church members with character references), lowering CDFI underwriting costs.
- Full Scholarships: Founders First includes free accelerator program seats with grants, providing integrated capital + training.
3. Small Business Incubator Seat Partnerships
Access to physical co-working space, legal/accounting support, and business coaching. Your network refers entrepreneurs to local incubators, often securing reserved seats or discounted rates through partnership agreements.
Sunshine Enterprises + Greenwood Archer Capital — Community Micro Equity Fund (CMEF)
Born out of Sunshine Gospel Ministries (Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood), Sunshine Enterprises incorporated as a separate 501(c)(3) to access funding streams like CDBG and corporate foundations. Partnered with Greenwood Archer Capital (CDFI) and funded by a $1.5 million PNC Foundation grant to launch the Community Micro Equity Fund (CMEF). Provides equity-like patient capital, averaging $25,000 per business with 2-year payment deferment + partial principal payments in Year 3.
- Capital Deployed
- $1.5M PNC grant
- Avg Business Investment
- $25K equity-like capital
- Economic Leverage
- $5.17 economic impact per $1 invested
Community Business Academy (CBA): 12-week, 36-hour course in business simulation, planning, and management. Spring 2025 graduated record-breaking cohort of 139 entrepreneurs. Since 2013: served 1,000+ entrepreneurs (94% African American/Latino, 72% women).
Economic Impact: Education + Capital Integration
- Franchise Model: Sunshine replicated Rising Tide Capital's proven CBA curriculum, avoiding the cost of curriculum development.
- Micro-Equity Innovation: Patient capital with 2-year deferment allows businesses to stabilize before repayment burden—reducing failure rates.
- 5.17x Economic Multiplier: For every $1 invested in Sunshine programs, $5.17 in community economic impact is generated.
4. Corporate Supplier Diversity Programs
Connect member businesses to corporate procurement opportunities. Your network business coordinator acts as bridge between entrepreneurs and corporate diversity officers, facilitating warm introductions and contract negotiations.
Faith-Based Accelerator Cohort — Corporate Partnerships
A 12-church network (suburban/urban mix, strong business owner presence) activated corporate supplier diversity programs + local incubator partnership. Economic outcome: 4 entrepreneurs connected to corporate procurement pipelines (janitorial, catering, IT services) = $120K in new contracts secured in Year 1.
- Network Investment
- $8K (coordinator time, pitch logistics)
- Value Channeled
- $120K contracts Year 1
- Timeline
- 6 months from corporate outreach to first contract
Economic Impact: Breaking Into Procurement
- Access Barrier Removal: Corporate procurement often requires existing relationships—network coordinator provides warm introductions.
- Contract Size: Average supplier diversity contract ($30K-$50K) far exceeds typical small business revenue, creating step-change growth.
- Quarterly Pitch Nights: Hosting local corporate partners at member churches creates visibility and builds relationships over time.
5. Faith-Based Business Accelerators — Praxis Labs, Good Soil
Multi-week cohorts with pitch practice, business model refinement, and investor intros. Your network refers entrepreneurs to faith-explicit accelerators that integrate spiritual formation with business training.
Praxis Labs — Redemptive Entrepreneurship Accelerator
Founded 2012, Praxis Labs is a faith-explicit venture accelerator serving Christian entrepreneurs globally. 12 years of operation: 250 ventures accelerated across 40 countries, 130 entrepreneurs participated, 2,500-2,800 jobs created, $130-$200M annual revenue generated across portfolio, $40M in capital raised from 500 investors, 92% venture survival rate. Network size: 1,000 active participants (250 mentors, 500 investors, 200 alumni).
- Ventures Accelerated
- 250 ventures, 40 countries
- Capital Raised
- $40M from 500 investors
- Survival Rate
- 92% (vs. 50% national avg)
Good Soil Movement (T.D. Jakes) — Mega-Platform Model
Leveraging Bishop T.D. Jakes' global brand, Good Soil operates a vertically integrated seed capital ecosystem. $1 billion Wells Fargo partnership (10 years) resulted in $9M in grants distributed to 16 community organizations (2024-2025). Seed Capital Pitch Competition: $500K awarded annually (1st: $200K, 2nd: $100K, 3rd: $75K, Most Improved: $50K). Good Soil HQ App: 26,000+ active members connected to mentorship, peer networking, and corporate resources.
- Wells Fargo Partnership
- $1B commitment (10 years)
- Seed Capital Awarded
- $500K annually (non-dilutive)
- Network Membership
- 26,000+ active members
Economic Impact: Faith + Business Integration
- Values-Aligned Capital: Christian investors accept lower financial returns in exchange for mission alignment, creating patient capital ecosystem.
- 92% Survival Rate: Praxis Labs ventures survive at nearly 2x national average (50%), proving mentorship + faith integration works.
- Non-Dilutive Grants: Good Soil's $500K pitch competition provides free capital (no equity required)—critical for Black founders who rarely access VC.
- Digital Scalability: Good Soil HQ App moves network beyond physical church walls, creating 24/7 support ecosystem.
Your 90-Day Launch Pilot
Economic opportunity channels convert your network's social capital (trust, relationships) into economic capital. Start with one corporate partner and 3-5 churches to prove the model.
Month 1: Entrepreneur Roster & Partnership Outreach
Days 1-30: The Discovery Phase
- • Survey member churches: Who's running a small business or wants to start one?
- • Compile roster: 20-30 entrepreneurs (current or aspiring); note business stage (idea, side hustle, formalized, scaling)
- • Research partners: Shopify Build a Business, Founders First CDC, local incubators, SBDCs
- • Aggregated pitch: "We have X entrepreneurs across Y churches in Z neighborhoods"
- • Reach out: Shopify social impact team, Founders First regional rep, local SBDC
Investment: $2K-$4K (coordinator time, survey tools, outreach materials)
Month 2: Cohort Formation & Training
Days 31-60: The Preparation Phase
- • Select 8-12 entrepreneurs for first cohort: Prioritize those ready to apply for grants/capital
- • Host 2 group workshops: Business model basics, grant application prep, pitch practice
- • Pair entrepreneurs with mentors: Business owners in the network who volunteer 1 hour/month
- • Set up quarterly pitch night format: Entrepreneurs present 3-minute pitches to network leaders, local funders/corporate partners
Investment: $5K-$8K (coordinator time, workshop materials, mentor training, pitch night venue/tech)
Month 3: First Applications & Pitch Night
Days 61-90: The Activation
- • Submit 6-10 applications: Shopify grants and CDFI partners
- • Host first pitch night: At a member church; entrepreneurs present 3-minute pitches to network
- • Invite local funders, corporate partners, press: Build visibility and momentum
- • Track metrics: # of applications submitted, # of grants/loans awarded (may not happen within 90 days but pipeline is built)
- • Document 1-2 business stories: For external reporting and member church communications
Investment: $3K-$5K (coordinator time, application support, pitch night hosting, storytelling/photography)
Expected Output: 2-4 entrepreneurs receiving first grants/loans = $10K-$30K total channeled. Strong pipeline for next cohort. First cohort model proven, funder/corporate relationships established, momentum for scaling to 20+ entrepreneurs in Year 2.
Access Shopify application templates, pitch deck frameworks, and CDFI partnership agreements
Ready to Build Your Economic Opportunity Channel?
Economic opportunity channels are structural interventions—converting church social capital (trust, relationships) into economic capital (grants, loans, contracts). Individual churches provide the pipeline; the network provides the platform.