Supporting Small Business: An Opportunity for Asset Funders
Small businesses are engines of family wealth, neighborhood vitality, and regional economic growth. Moreover, small businesses are intertwined with the outcomes philanthropy already funds —food access, immigrant inclusion, and women’s economic security, among others. Yet many funders don’t think of themselves as “small-business funders.”
This session asks: if small businesses matter this much—how should asset funders invest in them? The conversation will explore three key levers for funders:
- Capital — grants, CDFIs, patient capital, impact investing
- Policy — regulation, permitting, zoning, business protections
- Power — convening, coalition building, narrative change, cross-sector collaboration
As Greater Philadelphia thinks about its economic future, how can philanthropy help ensure small businesses—and the families and neighborhoods connected to them—are positioned to participate in and benefit from that growth? This session will explore how small businesses connect to the outcomes philanthropy already cares about, and what role capital, policy, and power could play in strengthening that connection.
Speakers:
- Kersy Azocar, Greenline Access Capital
- Karen Fegeley, City of Philadelphia
- Jill Fink, The Merchants Fund
- Caitlin Schnur, Spring Point Partners
- Kristina L. Wahl, Barra Foundation
This event will be held in-person at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA). The intended audience is AFN Members, funders, and invited community partners with focus on the Philadelphia Region. Registration is required and space is limited.
Please RSVP by 11/06/2026. Additional meeting logistics will be shared with confirmed participants. If you require accommodations to fully participate in the meeting, please reach out to Paula Dworek, paula@assetfunders.org.
