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.”
VOLUNTEER
CLIMB seeks to engage a broad range of law firms, corporate legal departments and attorneys to join this initiative,
motivated to serve those in the Charlotte community who cannot afford access to the legal system on their own.
REGISTER TO SERVE AS A CLIMB ATTORNEY
Interested attorneys may learn more about volunteering with CLIMB by emailing info@climbnc.org.
SCOPE OF PRO BONO ATTORNEY SERVICES
CLIMB is seeking law firms and attorneys to provide pro bono legal advice to pre-screened clients in the following areas:
-
Business Entity Formation
-
Corporate Governance
-
Financing Transactions
-
Commercial Leases
-
Contracts
-
Employment Matters
CLIMB screens potential clients and connects matters to volunteer law firms or attorneys.
VOLUNTEER INVESTMENT
CLIMB anticipates volunteer attorneys will invest anywhere from two to 20 hours on each assigned matter.