Seeking to offer support and financial stability to small businesses in Atlanta that have been hard hit by the COVID-19 crisis, Kindred Futures (KF) today announced it has launched the COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund. The program will make $500,000 in grants and forgivable loans available to qualified African American businesses in Southwest, Southeast, and Northwest Atlanta.

According to KF, the resources will be distributed in three ways: as general operating support grants for nonprofits supporting the Black business community; as grants for community-based small businesses, as well as forgivable loans to small businesses that can also serve as a vehicle to establish business credit for those who are able to pay off the loan. Since the COVID-19 crisis hit Atlanta, Kindred Futures has already provided support to 15 small businesses across the city including Local Green, a Westside Atlanta restaurant focused on reducing health disparities in underserved populations by providing healthier food choices to communities who need it most.