WILMINGTON — The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation has received a $100,000 grant from Bank of America to support PDFF’s efforts in championing small business owners and entrepreneurs through two key initiatives: Reinventing Delaware and the Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.

These initiatives work in tandem to improve economic mobility by creating an equitable, supportive landscape that links entrepreneurs with skilled professionals to help bring their ideas to life and/or accelerate their business.

Both initiatives provide a process that includes a comprehensive wrap-around support structure which entails: coaching and business planning; marketing and promotion; information technology and infrastructure; space planning and design; and access to funding sources.

“Bank of America’s focus on supporting underserved communities by helping educate them with business and technology skills runs parallel with the mission of the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation,” Thère du Pont, PDFF board chairperson, said in a prepared statement. “Bank of America’s generous grant allows our Foundation to expand our services to further support small business owners with an emphasis on supporting Black and Brown entrepreneurs.”

The next Reinventing Delaware event will take place on Nov. 11. Public submissions will be accepted in September. Subscribe to the Foundation’s E-Newsletter to stay up-to-date on announcements.

The grant is part of Bank of America’s philanthropic giving efforts in local communities. Awardees were selected for their commitment to addressing basic needs and workforce development for individuals and families, in particular during the coronavirus pandemic.

“The work being done by the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation to promote entrepreneurship, job creation and economic opportunity is making a marked difference in the communities that need it most,” said Chip Rossi, president for Bank of America Delaware. “By supporting our community’s small business owners and entrepreneurs, the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation is advancing economic mobility and ultimately making Delaware a better place to live and work for everyone.”