Arsht-Cannon Fund grants $100K to La Plaza Delaware
GEORGETOWN, Del. — The Arsht-Cannon Fund at the Delaware Community Foundation has awarded $100,000 to La Plaza Delaware to help support business education and financial empowerment.
“We are thrilled to receive this generous, heartfelt investment in our efforts,” said Mary Dupont, La Plaza executive director. “We have a big agenda ahead that builds on our current momentum and, with this grant, we’ll be able to help more businesses grow in more significant ways. Their contributions to the economy are and will continue to be an important asset to our state.”
Dupont said the $100,000 will allow the organization to hire the staff it needs to expand its programs.
At a La Plaza business plan graduation, Dr. Christine Swanson Cannon, Arsht-Cannon Fund executive director, presented the grant to organization leaders and the 46 graduates. “I am very proud to help you build La Plaza and I am so excited to be a part of it,” said Dr. Cannon.
Latinos are the fastest-growing population group in the United States. In Delaware, they comprise almost 10% of the population and in Georgetown – the Sussex County seat – that number rises to 40%.
“Whether they are multigenerational Americans or new arrivals, Sussex County Latinos never lose sight of the American Dream of educational, economic and asset-building opportunities for themselves and their families,” Dupont said.
Patricia Rivera, La Plaza board president, understands the challenges these businesses face. An immigrant from Bolivia, she built Hook PR & Marketing through 15 years of hard work and determination, two qualities that resound among Latino business owners.
“We are so happy to be a part of their journey to achieving the American dream,” Rivera said. “A heartfelt thank you goes out to Christine Swanson Cannon and the Arsht-Cannon Fund. We’re so grateful to Arsht-Cannon for believing in our mission and supporting our resilient entrepreneurs. We are blessed.”
In the past 15 years, the Arsht-Cannon Fund has invested more than $11 million in educational programs to support Delaware’s Latino community.
“With this investment, the fund is supporting Delaware’s booming Latino business community to increase access to business education, coaching and credit, helping them to grow and become major contributors to the Delaware economy and their community,” said Dr. Cannon.
About La Plaza Delaware
La Plaza Delaware is a nonprofit partnership in Sussex County focused on building the number, size and capacity of Latino businesses. La Plaza collaborates with several statewide nonprofits, including West End Neighborhood House and True Access Capital, to bring business plan training, business coaching, and access to credit to local companies looking to grow. Since it began in September 2021, about 70 business owners have participated in the program.
About The Arsht-Cannon Fund
The Arsht-Cannon Fund, an endowed fund at the Delaware Community Foundation, was a gift from the estate of Roxana Cannon Arsht and S. Samuel Cannon. The fund has provided more than $9 million to Latinx-serving nonprofit partners since 2004, improving life for all Delawareans.