Small Businesses Drive Our Economy
The GK FUND Fuels Them
99.5%
of all businesses in Massachusetts are considered small.
750,000
of these enterprises employ
45%
of the state’s workforce as economic drivers.
They create jobs and a more inclusive economy where more of us have opportunities to succeed.
When local small businesses thrive, they become the financial anchors and civic accelerators for vibrant communities across the Commonwealth.
18%
of Massachusetts businesses are owned by people of color, and typically they receive
10%
of loan dollars – leaving an estimated
$300M
gap in capital investment.
These structural inequities limit their ability to maintain and achieve greater success.
Rooted in equity, access, and inclusion, the GK Fund steps in early to support the most vulnerable businesses in Greater Boston and Gateway cities that have been historically locked out of traditional financing and business development networks.
The GK Fund provides flexible capital, mentorship, business planning tools and technical help that stabilize, scale, and unlock opportunities to grow, compete, and win.
Who Have We Funded?
Since 2020, the GK Fund has built a portfolio of 39 business grantees, located in 12 gateway cities across the Commonwealth, which include a neighborhood fresh-food market, small manufacturers, in-home healthcare services, and an aesthetics training academy.
Happy Grantees
What they’re saying
Pam & David Griffin
Co-Owners | Chocolate Therapy
Wayland Town Center, MA
Pam: “As a small business of color, it is almost impossible to get funding despite being on Good Morning America."
David: “It really honestly gave me hope, that being in this environment, being a minority business, that there were resources like the GK Fund that would support us and help us.”
Pam: "The GK Fund also introduced us to its network and to doing events, which helped us get on Oprah, Chronicle and The Best in Boston.”
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Sergio Espinosa
Founder | Manka Food Service Consulting
Lynn, MA
“When we had only four employees, unable to grow our business, the GK Fund grant helped us add a marketing person.
Now, with seven employees and many more regular consultants, we have expanded our services statewide to Massachusetts Gateway cities via MassDevelopment, nationally in DC and even internationally in Colombia.
Working with underserved communities has many benefits, since we are the future, we are the people who are going to be growing this economy.”
Lei Nichols
Owner | Wise Mouth Teas
Fall River, MA
"Growing up in a rural mountain village in China, I learned to use only pure ingredients -- fresh teas, fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers -- that taste better and are healthier for you.
Combining Eastern-healing medicine with the science of manufacturing something delicious can be complicated and expensive.
For a woman owning a small business, the GK Fund grant helped me maintain and expand my product line when I needed it most."
WHO WE SUPPORT
At the GK Fund, we support community-based entrepreneurs and small businesses by connecting them to opportunities for sustainability, growth and long-term success.
Inclusion, allyship, and belonging are at the core of everything we do—values deeply embedded in the DNA of our organization and reflected in the broader ecosystem built by our President, Colette Phillips, including the groundbreaking platform Get Konnected!
OUR IMPACT
"Since receiving the grant...our marketing efforts led us to be recognized by Google. This recognition resulted in an invitation to the White House advocating for Massachusettes businesses.
"Secured a groundbreaking partnership with philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey and named one of her favorites on 'Oprah's Holiday List'"
"We have hired 2 employees since receiving the grant. The grant has allowed us to hire without the risk of a slow ROI after the hiring process. It has allowed me to grow my team and focus more on growth instead of just survival."
