Topeka
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
How to start a small business
This packet is evaluated and updated on a quarterly basis.
Have suggestions, comments, or ideas? Please email business@tscpl.org with your information.
SER MUJER Program
The program is offered both in a traditional workshop setting including online and mobile app delivery format. This will allow the non-traditional learner who may only be able to access the program after hours. Some individuals may also find a more positive experience by accessing a hybrid of the program: some classroom instruction with online availability. In both cases, qualified program staff are providing case management and follow up to ensure progress is being accomplished by every participant.
Starting a Kansas Nonprofit Corporation
The Secretary of State’s office is a filing agency and does not provide legal guidance.
Start a Non-Profit Operating a Non-Profit
Business Funding Opportunities
Topeka/Shawnee County First Opportunity Fund (Go Topeka)
This links to the PDF of the current application form and provide all supporting materials. (We provide a checklist of what you’ll need, which includes a business plan, financial statements and details about operations.)
Topeka Community Foundation – Impact Investing Opportunity
Impact Investing provides a loan, equity investment or guarantee to nonprofits, for-profits, and intermediary partners, with the central purpose of social good that also provides a financial return.
An Impact Investment can be a loan, equity investment or guarantee that advances the mission of the Topeka Community Foundation, generates measurable community impact and achieves some sort of financial return. Many local Impact Investments are made at rates of return that prioritize community impact.
GROWKS LAUNCH HIGHLIGHTS
All entrepreneurs/small businesses interested in applying will need to be connected with a NetWork Kansas-approved resource partner. This list of approved partners may include Kansas non-profit organizations such as Certified Development Companies and other technical assistance providers. It also may include some Entrepreneurship (E-) Communities. Please email info@networkkansas.com or call 1-877-521-8600 to be connected with the appropriate partner to start the process.
Kansas was allocated about $69M in State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) dollars.
The programs created as a result of the allocation are called the GROWKS Loan Fund and GROWKS Equity Programs.
GROWKS Loan Fund and GROWKS Equity programs will provide loans and equity investments that match private capital investment.
The programs are designed to focus on underserved geographies (rural/urban-distressed/statewide), underserved populations (minority/women/economically disadvantaged) and business types (target sector).