Organization · Grant Maker
The JWC Foundation
The JWC Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Richmond, Virginia, dedicated to empowering Black-owned small businesses through culturally relevant programs and community support.
Overview
What The JWC Foundation does
What The JWC Foundation is
The JWC Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Richmond, Virginia, dedicated to empowering Black-owned small businesses through culturally relevant programs and community support.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports grantor and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Grant Maker
- Structured capabilities
- Grantor · Community
- Last reviewed
- April 10, 2026
Official channels
Find The JWC Foundation elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
The JWC Foundation as a grantor
Grant thesis
The JWC Foundation is dedicated to supporting Black entrepreneurs in Richmond, Virginia, by addressing their unique challenges and providing access to essential resources and community support.
Focus narrative
The JWC Foundation invests in Black-owned small businesses through culturally relevant programs and resources. Their focus includes providing operational support, financial education, and community connections. They aim to equip business owners at various stages, from those just starting out to those looking to grow established businesses.
Value and support
Beyond funding, the JWC Foundation provides personalized coaching, access to micro-grants, and a culturally relevant curriculum to help Black entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses.
Grant economics
- Dilutive
- No
- Nonprofit only
- No
Availability
- Application state
- Not currently accepting
- Application cycle
- annual
- Next deadline
- June 1, 2026
Eligibility and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+
- Audience
- Founders
- Inclusion focus
- minority-founded
- Regions
- United States
Process and recipient context
Application process
The JWC Foundation offers various programs including an incubator launching in June 2026, which will provide 12 months of intensive support for Black business owners. Applications for this program will open in June 2026. Additionally, they host ongoing monthly workshops and co-working sessions that are free of charge, focusing on skills in finance, strategy, and operations.
Recipient context
The foundation has supported over 500 Black business owners since its inception, with 83 graduates from its incubator program and 120 businesses launched or strengthened. They also host the BLCK Street® Summit, which has attracted 725 attendees since its first event.
Capability profile
The JWC Foundation as a community
Community overview
The JWC Foundation is an organization focused on supporting Black entrepreneurs in Richmond, Virginia. It was founded to address the unique challenges faced by Black business owners and to provide them with access to resources and community support. The foundation aims to help these entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses that contribute to economic growth.
Community focus
The JWC Foundation invests in Black-owned small businesses through culturally relevant programs and resources. Their focus includes providing operational support, financial education, and community connections. They aim to equip business owners at various stages, from those just starting out to those looking to grow established businesses.
Member value
Members benefit from operational support, financial education, and community connections. The foundation provides personalized coaching, culturally relevant curriculum, and access to micro-grants for Black business owners.
Membership
- Recorded members
- 500
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- September 28, 2026
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- incubator and community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
- Annual events
- 1
Events and activity
The foundation hosts ongoing monthly workshops and co-working sessions focused on finance, strategy, and operations. They also organize the annual BLCK Street® Summit, featuring hands-on workshops and keynote speakers, with the next event scheduled for September 28, 2026.
Common questions
What to know about The JWC Foundation
Upseed classifies The JWC Foundation under the Grant Maker organization type. Its current public profile includes grantor and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 10, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.