Partnership will expand the Fund’s reach in providing forgivable loans to Mississippi small businesses
The Mississippi 30 Day Fund, a nonprofit founded by lifelong Mississippians Marie and Brian Sanderson that provides immediate financial support to the state’s small businesses struggling due to COVID-19, announced a partnership with the Blackburn Group of Oxford last week.
“Here at the Blackburn Group, we are passionate about our communities and the small businesses that give them so much life and charm,” said David Blackburn, the founder of the Blackburn Group. “We are excited to partner with the Mississippi 30 Day Fund to offer a helping hand to our friends and neighbors in these tough times.”
Brian Sanderson, co-founder of the Fund and alumnus of the University of Mississippi, stated, “My time in Oxford was marked by enjoying all of the town’s unique small businesses–restaurants, retail stores, and so many more. Beloved small businesses dot the remainder of the state. This partnership with the Blackburn Group will allow us to give support to the small businesses that Mississippians cherish.”
“We are extremely grateful for our new partnership with the Blackburn Group. This support will allow the Fund to continue offering relief to our state’s hardworking small business owners and keep their enterprises afloat. The Blackburn Group’s support of the Fund is such a great example of Mississippians helping Mississippians.” stated Marie Sanderson, co-founder of the Fund.
Since its launch on June 8, the Mississippi 30 Day Fund has provided assistance to 41 businesses throughout the state, for a total of $138,463.29. These businesses encapsulate a wide variety of industries, including but not limited to bakeries, event planning studios, fitness centers, restaurants, retail stores, dance studios, and even a small animal farm. Of businesses funded, 60% are owned by women, and 53% are minority owned.
Other corporate sponsors of the Fund include CSpire, Sanderson Farms, Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes, Atmos Energy, McNeely Plastics, and Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance. Private citizens throughout Mississippi have also been generous in donating to the Fund.
Businesses struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic can request up to $3000 in no-strings-attached funding. The non-profit Mississippi 30 Day Fund is designed to be quick, easy, and free of red tape, as small business owners work to keep employees on board and operations running in the near term. Those wishing to make a charitable contribution to this 501(c)(3) organization can do so by visiting the website, www.ms30dayfund.com.
“The Blackburn Group’s generosity will allow the Fund to keep helping our state’s small businesses in such critical times. Each day, I am reminded of the sheer need that exists in our small business community. This partnership permits us to service even more of those businesses,” said Julia Grant, executive director of the Mississippi 30 Day Fund and alumnus of the University of Mississippi.
For more information, to apply or to donate, visit www.ms30dayfund.com.
