Opportunities For All
Opportunities For All
Program Overview
The Opportunities For All (OFA) program is a two part program. Designed to serve as a help desk/navigator for small and minority-owned businesses to help business grow as well as assist with pairing interns with local companies in the Sarasota/Manatee region.
Small grants and funding will be available to help these small businesses grow and thrive in the community. This initiative is funded by a grant from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.
Summer Internship Program
The Opportunities For All (OFA) Summer Internship program provides a win-win opportunity for local employers to have a diverse intern for the summer. Providing bright, talented, future leaders with the opportunity to broaden their exposure to the professional work world not only benefits employers, it contributes to the overall growth of the community and economy. Employers of interns through the OFA program are fully funded for their participation. This past summer, the OFA Summer Internship program successfully matched 30 skilled interns with 19 local employers, resulting in five interns being offered and accepting permanent positions within their respective organizations.
Applications for the program are now open!
For more information, please reach out to ofa@sarasotachamber.com.
Applications close May 16, 2025.
The Business Assistance Funds Program
The Business Assistance Funds Program is designed to assist minority small business owners and non-profit organizations with resources that will help our local businesses grow and thrive. Last year, 45 minority businesses were awarded $100,000 in grant funding.
To be eligible, small businesses must be at least 51% ethnic minority owned and provide services or products in the Sarasota/Manatee region.
The enrollment window for this year's OFA Business Assistance is closed.
Need help with your business plan? Contact ofa@sarasotachamber.com for assistance and resources.
Please see below for this year's grant recipients:
Fashion and Beauty Boutique
Flourishing
Greatness Beyond Measure, Inc
Humble Hearts Caregivers
JD Wms Diversity Group
Kinsey5Media
Little Medical School Suncoast
New College Child Center
One Head at A Time, Inc.
Party Popping Events, LLC
Phatheadz Barbershop
SailorGirl Transport LLC.
The Bradenton Gladiators Football Inc
2022 Highlights:
For information or questions, please contact Melanie Lavender, Opportunities For All Manager