No, The CIRI Foundation is not chartered to provide financial or technical assistance for starting a business.
Assistance may be available through:
- UAA Small Business Development Center www.aksbdc.org (907) 786-7201
- Alaska Growth Capital www.alaskagrowth.com (800) 315-4904
- Bureau of Indian Affairs www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/AS-IA/IEED/index.htm
- The Small Business Administration www.sba.gov (800) 659-2955; Anchorage District Office (907) 271-4022; Regional Office (260) 553-5231
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a business loan program, workshops and free counseling on how to start a small business, and you may qualify for federal programs that steer a portion of government contracts to businesses owned by minorities, such as the SBA’s “8(a) Program.”
- Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/
- Anchorage Economic Development Corporation offers free resources for start-up businesses at every stage of development. http://aedcweb.com/where-to-startup/
- SCORE is a free business mentoring organization www.score.org
- The YMCA of Alaska has an Economic Empowerment Center www.ywcaak.org/womens-economic-empowerment-center/
Additionally, many universities and community schools also provide reference libraries, workshops, and technical assistance on starting a small business, developing business plans, and preparing commercial loan proposals. Connect with the university or college nearest you to learn more.
