Organization accelerates economic and social impact in the Merrimack Valley through inclusive entrepreneurship

Eastern Bank Foundation is pleased to announce EforAll/EparaTodos Merrimack Valley as a 2022 Community Advocacy Award honoree, for its work supporting a vibrant and strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in Merrimack Valley for businesses owned by women, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), and immigrants.

“At EforAll/EparaTodos Merrimack Valley, we aim to turn dreams into businesses,” said Sophan Sok Smith, Executive Director of EforAll/EparaTodos Merrimack Valley. “We know that entrepreneurship has the power to change lives and revitalize communities, and we work to ensure individual entrepreneurs have the support and training they need to reach their true potential.”

EforAll/EparaTodos English and Spanish language programs include a free, one-year business accelerator providing immersive and intensive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Other programs include pitch contests, virtual workshops and opportunities to learn from other entrepreneurs.

“EforAll/EparaTodos Merrimack Valley provides the elements necessary to help local entrepreneurs develop successful enterprises,” said Nancy Huntington Stager, President and CEO of the Eastern Bank Foundation. “Their active participation in the communities they serve helps them build a deeper understanding of the challenges entrepreneurs face, and apply their learnings to solutions that create thriving futures.”

The celebration of Eastern’s Community Advocacy Award coincides with the Eastern Bank Foundation’s commitment to economic inclusion and mobility through its philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy, including to advance equity in the small business ecosystem. Recognizing that entrepreneurs and business owners are building blocks for the local economy, the Foundation seeks to fund organizations that build ecosystems of support for business owners in historically disadvantaged communities, including Black, Latinx, Asian, women, LGBTQ+, Veterans and People with disabilities.

Read more about all of the 2022 Community Advocacy Award honorees at: https://www.easternbank.com/communityadvocacyawards

About Eastern Bank Foundation

Created in 1994, the Eastern Bank Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Boston-based Eastern Bank. Through philanthropy, employee volunteerism, advocacy and collaborations with other businesses and community partners, Eastern Bank Foundation responds to community needs and supports sustainable solutions to our communities’ most vexing challenges across eastern Massachusetts, southern and coastal New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. To learn more, visit easternbank.com/foundation.

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