2022 LendaHand Small Business Grant Program
MOBILE – The LendingTree Bowl announced today it is increasing the number of recipients of the LendaHand Small Business Grant Program to four (4) Mobile County Small Businesses raising the total contributions to the community to $40,000. The expansion of the program also includes lowering the annual minimum income to $100,000 opening the door for more small businesses to be eligible.
As part of the 2022 bowl game activities LendingTree will be selecting four small businesses to highlight throughout bowl season. Each of these small businesses will receive a $10,000 grant, highlighted on social media channels and through advertising associated with the game. “Successful small businesses are core to the economic development of local communities, which is why LendingTree is committed to supporting entrepreneurship,” said April Whitlock, Head of Corporate Citizenry at LendingTree. “We hope the financial grant and community exposure helps these small businesses thrive and grow in the Mobile area and beyond”
The LendaHand Small Business grant is a partnership between the Bowl, LendingTree and the City of Mobile to highlight and support local small businesses. Businesses that have operated within Mobile County for more than a year and have no more than 25 employees will be eligible to apply for a LendaHand Grant between Aug. 17 and Sept. 30. LendingTree will give preference to women, minority and veteran-owned businesses. The City of Mobile will be working with LendingTree and the Bowl office to inform small businesses about the opportunity and how to apply.
“It is wonderful to see the Bowl doubling LendingTree’s investment into the LendaHand program in Mobile, which really shows the company’s commitment to community and to small business,” Mayor Sandy Stimpson said. “Small businesses make Mobile what it is, and we are proud to continue participating in this program to help highlight the great work local entrepreneurs are doing.”
In 2021, the inaugural year of the “LendaHand Small Business Grant,” they awarded The Facility for Performing Arts (PACT Theatre Company) and Mikkelsen Upholstery $10,000 each. There were three other finalists, including Reney’s Honey Butter, Nova Espresso and Magnolia Classics/AR Workshop.
If your small business is interested in a LendaHand Small Business Grant, you can find an application and additional information about eligibility requirements at lendingtreebowl.com/community/lendahand/
“Small businesses are part of what makes our community so special and unique,” said bowl president Jerry Silverstein. “Having the opportunity to give back by doubling not only the funds but the number of small businesses is rewarding for us all.”
The 24th annual LendingTree Bowl will be played on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 at Hancock Whitney Stadium and will feature teams from the Sun Belt Conference and Conference USA, or Mid-American Conference. Liberty defeated Eastern Michigan 56-20 in last year’s event.
About LendingTree Bowl
The LendingTree Bowl game was founded in 1999 and has built a reputation of fielding some of the most competitive and exciting games of the bowl season, including record-breaking performances by future NFL standouts. The LendingTree Bowl is committed to showcasing the city of Mobile, providing educational and athletic opportunities to the community, and providing a cultural and exceptional bowl experience to collegiate student-athletes, administrators and fans.
About LendingTree, Inc.
LendingTree (NASDAQ: TREE) is one of the nation’s largest, most experienced online marketplaces, created to give power to consumers so more people can win financially. LendingTree strives to provide consumers with easy access to the best offers on home loans, personal loans, insurance, credit cards, student loans, business loans, home equity loans/lines of credit, auto loans and more, through its network of over 500 partners. Founded in 1996 and launched nationally in 1998, LendingTree has helped over 111 million consumers obtain financing, save money, and improve their financial and credit health with transparency, education, and support throughout their financial journey.
LendingTree, Inc. is headquartered in Charlotte, NC. For more information, please visit www.lendingtree.com
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