Sacramento, Calif. – Today, Republic FC and Suncrest Bank are launching the fourth edition of the Kickstart Grant program. Since the program’s inception in September 2020, Suncrest Bank and Republic FC have awarded $31,500 in cash grants to minority- and women-owned businesses that often do not have the same access to resources and services that help them thrive. The fourth-edition, with the support of The Sacramento Rainbow Chamber, will provide another $10,500 to the region’s LGBTQ+ small business community.
Republic FC fans and the community-at-large can nominate businesses beginning today at www.sacrepublicfc.com/suncrestbank. All nominations must be submitted by June 4. Public voting from June 7thto the 14thwill determine the five finalists who will present to a panel of LGBTQ+ advocates and business leaders – Uptown Studios President Tina Reynolds, Rainbow Chamber Foundation President Paul Weubbe and PHPR Owner Patrick Harbison, as well as April Funston from Suncrest Bank and Dustin Vicari from Republic FC. All nominees will have access to free educational services and consulting opportunities from Suncrest Bank to help bridge the resource gap that many minority businesses may experience.
Sacramento, Calif. – Today, Republic FC and Suncrest Bank are launching the fourth edition of the Kickstart Grant program. Since the program’s inception in September 2020, Suncrest Bank and Republic FC have awarded $31,500 in cash grants to minority- and women-owned businesses that often do not have the same access to resources and services that help them thrive. The fourth-edition, with the support of The Sacramento Rainbow Chamber, will provide another $10,500 to the region’s LGBTQ+ small business community.
Republic FC fans and the community-at-large can nominate businesses beginning today at www.sacrepublicfc.com/suncrestbank. All nominations must be submitted by June 4. Public voting from June 7thto the 14thwill determine the five finalists who will present to a panel of LGBTQ+ advocates and business leaders – Uptown Studios President Tina Reynolds, Rainbow Chamber Foundation President Paul Weubbe and PHPR Owner Patrick Harbison, as well as April Funston from Suncrest Bank and Dustin Vicari from Republic FC. All nominees will have access to free educational services and consulting opportunities from Suncrest Bank to help bridge the resource gap that many minority businesses may experience.
“As we see the economy in general begin to improve, it is more important than ever that we continue to support the diversity of small businesses in our communities so that recovery can be shared equally,” said Suncrest Bank President and CEO Ciaran McMullan. “This is why Suncrest Bank is committed to supporting the Kickstart Program in 2021. Now in our fourth round we look forward to partnering with Republic FC and the Rainbow Chamber to deliver grants to five LGBTQ+-owned businesses in the greater Sacramento region.”
“Suncrest Bank has been an incredible community leader in lifting up the small businesses that showcase the diversity of our region and showcase the Indomitable spirit everyday,” said Republic FC Chief Revenue Officer Dustin Vicari. “We’re excited to continue this next installment of the Kickstart program and work with the Rainbow Chamber to advocate and elevate the region’s LGBT community and business leaders.”
“We are honored and eager to work with Suncrest Bank and Republic FC on the Kickstart grant program and look forward to growing the community engagement of our mutual entities,” said Rainbow Chamber Foundation President Paul Weubbe.
Across the country, the LGBTQ+ community accounts for $917 billion spending dollars and $1.7 trillion in America's economy – which could serve as the world’s 10thlargest economy on its own, according to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. And yet over 50 years removed from the Stonewall Riots and the landmark events that sparks LGBT advocacy that have transformed into Pride month activities, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans continue to face discrimination in several forms. A 2020 Center for American Progress study notes that more than 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ Americans reported some form of discrimination in their personal and work lives and that significant disparities in health access and wages must be addressed.
The winner will be announced at the June 26 Republic FC match and Pride night at Heart Health Park. The five finalists will have an opportunity to showcase their business before the match. Throughout the month Republic FC will highlight the unique stories of LGBTQ+ community leaders, launch a new Pride collection, and collaborate with the Sacramento LGBT Center on several initiatives, include the annual Pride scholarship contest for local students.
For additional information about Republic FC Kickstart, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/suncrestbank.
“As we see the economy in general begin to improve, it is more important than ever that we continue to support the diversity of small businesses in our communities so that recovery can be shared equally,” said Suncrest Bank President and CEO Ciaran McMullan. “This is why Suncrest Bank is committed to supporting the Kickstart Program in 2021. Now in our fourth round we look forward to partnering with Republic FC and the Rainbow Chamber to deliver grants to five LGBTQ+-owned businesses in the greater Sacramento region.”
“Suncrest Bank has been an incredible community leader in lifting up the small businesses that showcase the diversity of our region and showcase the Indomitable spirit everyday,” said Republic FC Chief Revenue Officer Dustin Vicari. “We’re excited to continue this next installment of the Kickstart program and work with the Rainbow Chamber to advocate and elevate the region’s LGBT community and business leaders.”
“We are honored and eager to work with Suncrest Bank and Republic FC on the Kickstart grant program and look forward to growing the community engagement of our mutual entities,” said Rainbow Chamber Foundation President Paul Weubbe.
Across the country, the LGBTQ+ community accounts for $917 billion spending dollars and $1.7 trillion in America’s economy – which could serve as the world’s 10thlargest economy on its own, according to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. And yet over 50 years removed from the Stonewall Riots and the landmark events that sparks LGBT advocacy that have transformed into Pride month activities, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans continue to face discrimination in several forms. A 2020 Center for American Progress study notes that more than 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ Americans reported some form of discrimination in their personal and work lives and that significant disparities in health access and wages must be addressed.
The winner will be announced at the June 26 Republic FC match and Pride night at Heart Health Park. The five finalists will have an opportunity to showcase their business before the match. Throughout the month Republic FC will highlight the unique stories of LGBTQ+ community leaders, launch a new Pride collection, and collaborate with the Sacramento LGBT Center on several initiatives, include the annual Pride scholarship contest for local students.
For additional information about Republic FC Kickstart, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/suncrestbank.
