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 March 2023)

News and Recent Updates

  • Attend the Colorado Creative Industries Summit! June 1 & 2 in Crested Butte Creative District
  • Overdue on your utilities bills due to COVID? Fort Collins Utilities if offering pandemic relief for utilities bills both residential and commercial.
  • The newly opened Multicultural Business & Entrepreneurship Center is now offering business services to the community and has $30K at its disposal to help businesses with technical assistance.
  • Makers and Crafters Business 101 – need help with your sales tax and business organization – see our list of helpful tips for Makers and Crafters!
  • 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.
  • 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

STATE RESOURCES

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.