We have received a grant!

This small business - Lili Chin Art Inc dba Doggie Drawings - has been awarded a grant!

This is a new and surreal experience for me! I had never applied for a grant before because I never believed that I was deserving of one, or that I would even qualify. I only applied because a friend pressured me (in good faith) to apply.

I met the criteria, and this particular grant was also zip code-specific. When I finally did it, I'll admit that the process was a little daunting - there were many forms to fill in and financial documents to submit. Thankfully, the organization was very helpful and held my hand through the process. 

Today, seven months later, I had the pleasure of joining over 50 other people at the Vincent Price Art Museum in East LA College to receive our big checks. Yes, BIG CHECKS! :)

This really happened.

PACE LA is an Asian-American led non-profit organization that has been operating for 50 years. They help small businesses with education and funding, primarily in low-income communities. I didn't even know they existed until last year.

At the ceremony today, Kerry Doi, the founder of PACE, spoke about the ICE raids in LA and how these have impacted so many businesses and livelihoods. He talked about America's concentration camps from WW2 to today. He spoke of fighting racism, and how we must strengthen our communities by supporting businesses so that they make money that goes back into our local communities. He also had warm praise for the LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who continues to work hard to make these grants possible, who encouraged all recipients to tell more people about these grants. People need to know, she said, that these opportunities exist and that the "government is not all bad". 

As a one-person business, I am very grateful. 

These funds will go towards this website's redesign costs and inventory orders for my online shop. Despite Trump's tariffs and new annoying UPS "brokerage fees" on incoming packages (my pins now cost more to get made), my retail prices will remain the same. 

I am now doing my part to spread the word. If you are a small business or entrepreneur with a registered address in LA County, I can connect you with someone who can advise  and help you with grant applications. Seriously! As you can see, this is all real. 

Please feel free to get in touch by email!

- Lili