CREATIVE BUSINESSES
Please note that the inclusion of these links and sources does not constitute an endorsement by the Downtown Fort Collins Creative District. (updated Sept 2023)
News and Recent Updates
- The Multicultural Business & Entrepreneurship Center is now offering business services to the community and has $30K at its disposal to help businesses with technical assistance. Each qualifying business could be awarded $1500. All businesses and entrepreneurs are welcome.
- The Business Foundations Technical Assistance program provides technical assistance and small grants to Colorado small businesses to help businesses legally establish themselves. The program includes 3 required training paths for businesses to complete and receive a certification. Once completed, businesses may be eligible to apply for small grants of up to $1,200.
- Makers and Crafters Business 101 – need help with your sales tax and business organization – see our list of helpful tips for Makers and Crafters
- On Demand Business Videos about about selling on Etsy, taxes for artists, arts org formation, sales tax for events and more at the Larimer SBDC.
- Overdue on your utilities bills due to COVID impacts? Fort Collins Utilities if offering pandemic relief for utilities bills both residential and commercial.
- Host a CSU Student with a Micro-Internship! These can be short-term projects that can typically be completed within 5-40 hours and is due within a few days to a few weeks. These projects require no on-boarding, are paid 1099 and can be completed by a college student with minimal instruction. This is a great way to finish projects you have been meaning to get to, it is also a great way introduce your company to students and see if there is a potential fit for future opportunities and ultimately, it is a great way to support CSU students.
LOCAL RESOURCES
- FORT COLLINS BUSINESS HELP:
- City of Fort Collins Business
- Larimer SBDC – Free one on one professional business help, consulting, and classes
- Colorado State University’s Executive Education programs and courses
- ForFortCollins.com – for businesses and citizens with ways to promote shopping locally with marketing asset generator, connections and resources for being open
- FoCoFreelance.com – Register or search here for Fort Collins Freelancers
- HEALTH:
- Mental Health Support for Larimer County: 970-221-5551. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. If you’re in crisis, call the Colorado Crisis Line 1-844-493-8255.
- Dental and Hearing screenings for music industry professionals through The Fort Collins Musicians Association (FoCoMA) and MusiCares.
- COVID-19 vaccinations Get the latest info on vaccinations HERE
- FUNDING:
- NoCo Music Event Fund – Apply for a grant to support music for your event
- Larimer SBDC – Help with identifying funding, preparing for loans, alternative lenders and business finances.
STATE RESOURCES
- COLORADO BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:
- Colorado Office of Economic Development and Economic Trade
- Colorado Creative Industries
- Colorado Business Committee for the Arts
- Help Colorado Now – State Of Colorado’s website offers emergency funding and a range of in-kind services for individuals, businesses and nonprofits.
- FUNDING:
- Alternative Colorado lenders: Accion and Colorado Lending Source
- Colorado’s CLIMBER small business loan fund! These are below market rate loans with favorable terms for small businesses with 5-99 employees. CLIMBER loans are available to non-profit businesses along with for-profit and sole proprietorships. Special consideration is given to small businesses located in rural, distressed, and underserved areas, including communities with low to moderate incomes.
- Colorado Microloans, Kiva Loans, and Colorado Credit Reserve are for people who are underserved by traditional debt markets
- INFO & SERVICES:
- LEGAL: Pro Bono Attorneys services for Colorado businesses affected by COVID and other disasters www.coloradocovidrelief.org
- Colorado Independent Venues Association (CIVA)
NATIONAL RESOURCES
- NATIONAL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:
- Americans for the Arts has a list of national resources
- Art-Train brings together artists and creatives with municipalities, agencies, and organizations to create culture-based collaborations. With separate tracks for artists and agencies, Art-Train helps you use American Rescue Plan and American Jobs Plan funding to support locally-rooted, culture-based collaborations
- NIVA – (National Independent Venues Association) – guidance about venues reopening, advocacy and support for venue owners #SaveOurStages
- Small Business Administration Debt Relief
- Small Business Administration 24/7 Help Line: 1-800-659-2955
- FUNDING AND NETWORKS:
- Freelancer’s Union
- Kiva Loans – Yes, 0% interest – no catch. They’re a non-profit aimed at expanding access to capital. Worldwide loans
- Alignable is a small businesses referral network.
