CLIMB serves entrepreneurs and small businesses who:
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live in the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County or employ individuals or serve a community in the city or county;
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meet certain income-based eligibility guidelines; and
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are currently selling goods/services; or for those entrepreneurs without an existing business, can demonstrate that the venture is at a stage in which legal assistance would be appropriate.
CLIMB prioritizes applications from small businesses whose ownership consists primarily of people of color, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans or disabled persons.
During the pilot program, CLIMB will accept applications through its initial referral partners:
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The Boost Pad
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Carolinas–Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council
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Charlotte Business INClusion
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Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce
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National Black MBA Association, Inc. – Charlotte Chapter
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Prospera
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Women’s Business Center of Charlotte
These are separated under three different headings: location, income, and consulting. A few edits were made to this. They also added “will work with referral sources that serve individuals and businesses in those groups. If an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements, CLIMB will make a referral to a (partner?) lawyer or law firm.”
CLIMB serves entrepreneurs and small businesses who:
-
live in the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County or employ individuals or serve a community in the city or county;
-
meet certain income-based eligibility guidelines; and
-
are currently selling goods/services; or for those entrepreneurs without an existing business, can demonstrate that the venture is at a stage in which legal assistance would be appropriate.
CLIMB prioritizes applications from small businesses whose ownership consists primarily of people of color, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans or disabled persons.
During the pilot program, CLIMB will accept applications through its initial referral partners:
-
The Boost Pad
-
Carolinas–Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council
-
Charlotte Business INClusion
-
Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce
-
National Black MBA Association, Inc. – Charlotte Chapter
-
Prospera
-
Women’s Business Center of Charlotte
These are separated under three different headings: location, income, and consulting. A few edits were made to this. They also added “will work with referral sources that serve individuals and businesses in those groups. If an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements, CLIMB will make a referral to a (partner?) lawyer or law firm.”
A STEP TOWARD EQUITY
CLIMB provides pro bono (free) business law legal services to historically under-represented entrepreneurs and small business owners of limited means. CLIMB prioritizes services for people of color, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, and veterans.
Eligible business owners can receive free legal assistance from volunteer lawyers on non-litigation business law matters, such as business formation, contracts, commercial leases and more.
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Learn more about available legal services here.
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Learn more about eligibility guidelines and how to apply for services here.
CLIMB seeks to advance economic mobility and social justice in our local community by expanding access to the legal system in Charlotte.
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CLIMB partners with a growing list of referral sources to reach under-resourced entrepreneurs and small business owners.
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CLIMB utilizes a network of volunteer lawyers from Charlotte law firms and corporate legal departments to provide free non-litigation business law services directly to eligible clients.
CLIMB strives to be part of a well-organized supportive network for entrepreneurs that contributes to a growth in the number of minority-owned small businesses in the Charlotte area.