Community Finance | April 13, 2021

Founders First’s Kitty Fund makes micro-investments in “mompreneurs”

Amy Cortese
ImpactAlpha Editor

Amy Cortese

ImpactAlpha, Apr. 13 – The pandemic has been challenging for many small business owners, but mothers have faced particular burdens as childcare routines have been upended.

The Kitty Fund will make microgrants to 50 small, employer-based businesses run by moms. Founders First’s Kim Folsom launched the fund last year after the death of her mother, who was known as Kitty (see, Kim Folsom: Agent of Impact). The investments are a way to “to pay forward the same support” she got from her mom, she says, and ”to celebrate business-owner moms for the power and greatness they display every day.” 

Doubling down

This year’s grants will double from $250 to $500, thanks to matching funds from Barbara Clarke of The Impact Seat. Applications are open; winners will be announced in time for Mothers Day.

Last month, Folsom raised $9 million to expand Founders First to more cities (see, “Founders First scores $9 million to deploy revenue-based finance to diverse founders”).