Bia Project
BIA (Black Incubator and Accelerator) offers tiered capacity building for Black-led organizations providing services to the South and West sides of Chicago. BIA offers up to $10,000 in funding for professional development and capacity building; 1:1 support to expand skills such as grant writing, board development, budgeting; networking opportunities and more.
Incubator: pre-501c3, in development stage of concept, business plan, and board development in progress
Incubator+: 501c3 application in the works, clear concept and business plan, board development in progress
Accelerator: 501c3 attained, clear concept and business plan, board established, working towards paid employees and balanced budget
BIA is recruiting for the 2024 cycle!
The 2024 application info session will be held 9/22/2 at 2pm central. Register here: https://BIAinfosession2023.eventbrite.com
Please reach out to Jessi Dehlin at jdehlin@bsd.uchicago.edu with any questions about BIA.
Selection Criteria:
- Black-led (President, CEO, Director)
- Serves communities of color, particularly Black transgender women, Black men who have sex with men, and Black cisgender women;
- Primarily serves the South side (Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, South Shore, Washington Park, and Woodlawn) and/ or West sides (Englewood, West Englewood, Chicago Lawn, West Lawn, Austin, North Lawndale, South Lawndale) of Chicago;
- Offers or plans to offer community services: HIV-related direct services, such as HIV testing, treatment, PrEP care; referrals to supportive services, such as housing, mental health, employment, education; outreach and other supportive programming
- Open to receiving and participating in a 12-month capacity building program.
Learn more about our 2021-2022 BIA Organizations:
BIA Organizations are in collaboration with our Paid “JUMP!” Internship. Learn more here.