Rising Tide Community Loan Fund

Could your business survive a cyber attack? If you hesitated to answer that question, you may want to review how secure your business is online. This month's blog from Rising Tide focuses on steps you can take to ensure your business remains safe and secure from bad actors, spammers, and phishers.

✨ The 14 businesses that received loans from Rising Tide Community Loan Fund in 2023-2024 created or retained 43 jobs, strengthening the local economy. 🔗 You can see the list of businesses we’ve helped at https://lnkd.in/eAg77KEM

Two Rising Tide board members were recently recognized in the Lehigh Valley Voice for women making an impact in the community. 🎉 Our board president, Sally H., and our board secretary, Elizabeth R. Ortiz, were featured for their work in the community, including their work with Rising Tide and many other organizations. Congratulations! 👏 👏 🔗 You can see all the featured women at https://lnkd.in/eQGgrMVP

#CDFIs are widely recognized—across the aisle and by this Administration—as engines of economic opportunity. They expand access to capital, support job growth and wealth creation, and uplift communities that mainstream banks often overlook. The CDFI Fund has provided billions in critical resources to achieve these goals. However, under President Trump’s March 14 Executive Order on “Reducing the Federal Bureaucracy,” the future of this vital funding is now at risk. As the Treasury Department prepares its response for OMB and continues engaging with CDFIs and other stakeholders, we must ensure our voices are heard. 📣 Take Action: 👉 Contact your Members of Congress – Encourage them to protect CDFIs. 👉Spread the word – Share this post to raise awareness about what’s at stake. 👉Tag our elected officials in the comments and urge their support. CDFIs, such as Rising Tide Community Loan Fund, don’t just invest in businesses—they invest in people. Let’s keep them strong so they can continue driving opportunity and prosperity in our communities. #ProtectTheCDFIFund #CDFIsInvest #CommunitiesFirst

Rising Tide Community Loan Fund offers FREE business advice and marketing assistance to small businesses in Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, and Upper Bucks Counties. If you're a small business owner who needs assistance, especially those in low- to moderate-income areas, contact us today! 📧 Email us at rtclf-marketing@caclv.org 📲 Call us at 484-893-1039

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Rising Tide Community Loan Fund! ☘️ 🌈

Attention, creative entrepreneurs! Grant funds are available to business owners in the arts and entertainment industry through the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Grants of $500 to $2,000 are available for people who aspire to start their own for-profit business or who operate an existing for-profit micro business. Rising Tide Community Loan Fund is helping to facilitate these grants. Contact us at RTCLF-Marketing@caclv.org or by phone at 484-893-1039 to learn how you can apply for the grant.

🎉 Congratulations to Alan Jennings, former executive director of Community Action Lehigh Valley, on being named to the Hall of Fame of the National Community Action Foundation! “He affected countless lives through his dedication to our community," says Dawn Godshall, current executive director of CALV. "Without his leadership, the Lehigh Valley would be a much different place." 🔗 Read more about Jenning's career and the award here: https://lnkd.in/eHjWZ_Ay

Rising Tide's Marketing Committee came together to brainstorm how businesses can market off of social media. Read this month's blog and learn what marketing professionals from Altitude Marketing, EBC Printing & Signs, a COSTARS Supplier, and Community Action Lehigh Valley think are still tried-and-true marketing methods! If your business has a marketing challenge, the Rising Tide Marketing Committee can help you overcome it. Contact us at rtclf-marketing@caclv.org to schedule a meeting with our committee.

🔎 Are you looking for a new networking opportunity but don't know where to look? Networklehighvalley.com has you covered! Network Lehigh Valley is host to a list of networking opportunities throughout the Lehigh Valley. It's also your new source for business information and events. 📆 🔗 Find their site at https://lnkd.in/eGihMZY2