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.”
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.”
ABOUT CLIMB
A STEP FORWARD
In the wake of George Floyd’s death in the summer of 2020, leaders of the Mecklenburg County Bar and local law firm leaders began an independent process of identifying ways to advance racial justice and equity in the Charlotte area. The Carolinas Social Impact Initiative formed, and the group determined that providing free legal services to low-income entrepreneurs and small businesses was essential to advancing economic mobility and an important step toward racial equity.
In early 2021, a few of the law firms created a working team to develop the program now known as CLIMB. The goal was a sustainable program that engages volunteer lawyers to make an impact in Charlotte and its surrounding communities. In the coming months, a broad range of lawyers and legal employers are expected to join this initiative, motivated to serve those in our community who cannot afford access to the legal system on their own.
By providing access to legal services at no cost, CLIMB seeks to (1) assist clients in building and sustaining thriving businesses, (2) support commercial activity in historically under-resourced communities in the Charlotte area, and (3) foster economic mobility and opportunity, which are essential components to racial and social justice.