Increasing Options for Entrepreneurs 

The Abilities Fund offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to prepare for business by providing access to a suite of business development tools specifically designed for individuals with disabilities.

Our philosophy is simple: you cannot plan for the future without – planning! The Abilities Fund staff has first hand experience knowing what it takes to successfully plan for and launch a micro-business. Our tools are built knowing that time spent planning helps entrepreneurs start, stabilization or expand a business from a position of knowledge. It is that very knowledge that puts entrepreneurs in the driver’s seat – a position that we all want to be in when thinking about the future. 

Informed Choices: Data Collection

The Informed Choices: Data Collection tool takes entrepreneurs through a series of thought-provoking questions categorized to record what is known and underscore what is necessary to think through in order to move forward in a planned and thoughtful manner. Entrepreneurs spend important time completing this unique data collection tool with the end goal of having a better understanding of their personal readiness to plan for business start-up, stabilization, or expansion.

Financial Education

Financial Education encourages entrepreneurs to understand more about individual financial readiness to start, stabilize, or expand a micro-business. Using the FDIC‘s Money Smart program, entrepreneurs will build their financial confidence as they look to the future.

Feasibility First and Business Planning

Using the Feasibility First© and Business Planning tool, entrepreneurs will determine whether continuing to develop the business idea is feasible from a concept, market, and financial perspective. For those who determine that moving ahead is appropriate, the business planning tool guides the entrepreneur through the basics of business planning.

Funding For Your Business

For entrepreneurs who need funding to ensure business success, Lending reviews current options for obtaining the funds needed to adequately capitalize the business start up, stabilization, or expansion.  Please note that business activity that includes weapons sales, real estate development, money lending or financing, multi-level marketing programs, illegal or polluting activities, or adult businesses are not eligible uses of loan funds.