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Second round for the Fortitude Fund

On Thursday, Feb. 25, representatives from Huntington University, along with several other representatives from the City of Huntington and area businesses, gathered at the Huntington Arts & Entrepreneurial Center to launch the second round of the Fortitude Fund.

The Fortitude Fund, which was originally known as the Farnsworth Fund, enables entrepreneurs to gain access to funds while also providing them with a mentor to guide them in their endeavors. It now finds its home at Huntington University through a new partnership.

The program was first powered by Elevate Northeast Indiana and, according to fortitudefund.com, “gave over 200 grants to entrepreneurs who will ultimately drive our entrepreneurial culture, even if their first idea is not their biggest success.” The program’s three main focuses for the success of a business are community, mentorship and money.

During the Feb. 25 meeting, which was a mixture of in-person and Zoom participation, pre-recorded speeches were given by Huntington University president Dr. Sherilyn Emberton and Mayor Richard Strick.

“I’ve had the privilege to firsthand see the value that the Fortitude Fund has played in our region and our community,” Emberton said. “We are so excited to be the new host of the Fortitude Fund.”

Emberton went on to say that the mission of the Fortitude Fund - which includes grit, guts, heart and faith - “resonates at Huntington University.”
During his speech, Strick highlighted the fact that the Fortitude Fund focuses on granting funds to specific kinds of entrepreneurs, including women and disabled veterans.

According to the Fortitude Fund website, out of the more than 160 grantees, 42 percent of them are under the age of 30; 42 percent of the grantees are women, 33 of which are women of color; and 35 percent total of the grantees are people of color.

Several stories from grant winners were also shared. Two grants of $2,500 each were awarded; one to Yan Wall, of Guardian Machine Protection, and one to Sasha Chaney, of Legendary Barber Lounge. Each grant winner is also paired with a mentor. Wall is mentored by Mark Michael of Fort Wayne Metals. Chaney is mentored by Michelle Chambers of Signing Closers.

Local grant winners included Ignacio Poncio, a former Huntington University student and the current HU men’s tennis coach; and Brooke Richison, who grew up in Huntington and attends Huntington University. Poncio has launched a new app called NUP, which connects local consumers with local food and drink industries. Richison runs a videography business titled BrookeRichy Videography.

Poncio and Richison both received $500 grants for their respective businesses. Poncio is being mentored by Kyle Gough, of Kyle Gough Law, and Richison is being mentored by Lesa VanMeter of Shadowlands Photography.

Those who are interested in applying for a Fortitude Fund grant may do so by following these steps, which are located on the Fortitude Fund website:

• Connect with the Fortitude Fund community online or at an event.

• Make a short, simple application.

• Have a quick conversation with a Fortitude Fund project manager.

• Receive a response.

If an application is approved, grant funds will be disbursed to the grantee within 30 days. Those who receive their initial $500 grant will then be eligible to receive more funding. The next level of funding is the $2,500 grant, which is given if businesses continue to see growth.