9 October 2024

UPS Gives $150,000 to Support AAPI-Owned Businesses

By Ronald Smith

I’ve got some exciting news to share with you. UPS, the famous package delivery company, is stepping up to help out AAPI-owned businesses. They’re providing a whopping $150,000 in grant funds, which will be a great boost for these businesses.

I couldn’t believe it when I heard about this! UPS truly understands the importance of supporting our AAPI community and helping businesses thrive. It’s fantastic to see a big company like UPS taking meaningful action to make a positive impact.

You might be wondering what exactly these grant funds will do. Well, they’re going to be used to provide financial support, resources, and opportunities for AAPI-owned businesses. This means that these businesses will have a better chance to succeed and grow, which is fantastic news for our community.

I’m so grateful to UPS for their generosity and for recognizing the value of AAPI-owned businesses. It’s a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience within our community. By supporting these businesses, UPS is not only helping them, but they’re also uplifting the entire AAPI community.

I hope this news brightens your day as much as it did mine. Let’s celebrate UPS for their amazing support and continue to cheer on AAPI-owned businesses. Together, we can create a world where every business has the opportunity to thrive.

UPS Gives $150,000 to Support AAPI-Owned Businesses

Did you know that May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month? It’s a special time to celebrate and honor the rich cultures and contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. And guess what? UPS, the shipping company, is doing something really cool to mark the occasion!

They have created a grant program called Proudly Unstoppable, and they’re giving away a total of $150,000 in grant funding to AAPI-owned businesses. How awesome is that? The grants are being administered by the Asian American Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurship (ACE), who are doing an amazing job!

Let me tell you about UPS and the Proudly Unstoppable Grants

So, if you’re an eligible business, you can apply for one of these grants worth $5,000. But what makes a business eligible, you might wonder? Well, first of all, it has to be at least 51 percent owned by AAPI individuals. It also needs to be a for-profit business that operates in the United States, but with no more than three locations or affiliations with a big national brand. And, here’s the important part, it has to have been negatively affected by the pandemic.

But wait, there’s more! UPS is not only providing these grants, they’re also giving AAPI entrepreneurs a chance to shine on their website. How cool is that? And they’ve even collaborated with a talented AAPI artist named Mojo Wang to design a limited-edition Express Box. I bet it looks amazing!

I’m excited to share with you some cool news about this amazing program. Can you believe it’s already in its second year? Last year, they gave out 27 grants worth $5,000 each. And guess what? They didn’t just support one type of business. Oh no! They helped pet shops, bakeries, artists, wellness brands, and even electrical contractors. Pretty awesome, right? So, if your business meets the criteria, no matter what industry you’re in or where you’re located in the country, you can apply for these funds. How cool is that?

The Impact of COVID on AAPI-Owned Small Businesses

Now, let’s talk about something important. Unfortunately, AAPI businesses have been hit really hard over the past couple of years. It’s not just the pandemic that has affected all small businesses, but also an increase in anti-AAPI rhetoric and hate crimes. Can you imagine the challenges these businesses have had to face? It’s not easy, but we’re here to support them and help them overcome these obstacles.

In 2021, National ACE and Reimagine Main Street teamed up to conduct a national survey. They wanted to compare how AAPI, White, Black, Hispanic, and Native business owners were doing. They found some interesting results.

First, they discovered that AAPI business owners are having a harder time recovering than many others. They aren’t seeing as many positive signs for their businesses right now. And they think it will take them longer to bounce back compared to White and Hispanic business owners.

But it’s not just the business challenges they’re facing. It’s also the unfair blame they’re getting for the pandemic. Shockingly, about 40 percent of AAPI business owners reported being unfairly blamed. On top of that, many of them have had to deal with vandalism and discrimination in the past two years.

Fortunately, with vaccines becoming more widely available and hospitalizations decreasing, many business owners in the AAPI community are starting to feel more hopeful. However, their optimism is not as high as that of the entire business community. That’s why programs like the Proudly Unstoppable initiative are still important in leveling the playing field for businesses that are underserved and facing disadvantages.

About the Proudly Unstoppable Initiative

The period to apply for ACE and UPS’s Proudly Unstoppable AAPI grants has ended for this round. The companies are currently in the process of notifying the winners.