When Women Rise, LA Thrives

Income inequality

Other Central LA East LA South LA San Gabriel Valley West LA San Fernando Valley Gateway Cities Long Beach South Bay County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The food and beverage industry is 5% of the nation’s GDP and employs 10% of the workforce, yet women - 54% of the workforce - represent 29% of leadership, earn 47% less than the U.S. median, 18% less than male counterparts, and receive 20% less in loans and 97% less in VC with limited access to capital, education, and networks.
Compounded by the LA wildfires, entertainment strikes, diversity and equity setbacks, and inflation pressures, our LA women are in crisis, especially women of color, immigrants, and mothers. The need to address this inequality is urgent as they nourish our communities and power economies.
Our members affirm this data: “As a woman-led, 2nd-generation immigrant business, I’ve faced the burdens many women shoulder, balancing child and elder care, a business with slim margins, an industry that excludes women from capital, networks, and opportunity. Still, we press on…food can build bridges, honor history, create community, spark change.”

Regarding Her disrupts broken systems, demands opportunity, and accelerates change for women leaders in food and beverage. We support 1,300+ members, 80% of whom are women of color. This grant will deepen member engagement - thus driving greater impact - through four integrated strategies:
SHIFT THE NARRATIVE: We lead bold civic and media campaigns that increase visibility for women business owners. Our storytelling reaches 4.4M+ followers and 14M+ consumers, activating a community with over $650M in economic power to support women-led businesses.
DELIVER FINANCIAL GROWTH: We provide direct access to capital and revenue-generating opportunities. To date we’ve driven $4M+ to members through grants, partnerships, and large-scale activations.
CULTIVATE NETWORKS: We bridge critical gaps in economic and social capital by connecting members to financial institutions, government agencies, suppliers, and each other. In times of crisis, like the LA wildfires, we serve as a lifeline through grants, resources, and advocacy.
TRANSFORM EDUCATION: We provide expert and peer-led training in essential business skills, literacy, and tradecraft, topics often overlooked by traditional vocational and college programs.
Our power is our members’ bold, talented women driving LA’s culture, creating jobs, and fueling the city’s economy. They don’t just make LA cool. They create social hubs and better workplaces. They don’t just benefit from change. They catalyze it.
It’s time we invest in them.

Imagine a Los Angeles where women-led food businesses don’t just survive, they lead the way. They preserve culture, create meaningful jobs, and unlock new opportunities for economic mobility. With this grant, we will launch a powerful digital platform offering essential business tools including financial literacy, HR guidance, and growth strategies. We will expand transformative education through workshops and supportive peer groups. Our membership will grow by 30 percent, reaching neighborhoods at risk of losing their beloved small businesses. By strengthening local networks through mentorship, meetups, and shared resources, we will build a strong community of resilience and collaboration. Together, we will spark lasting change, preserving the rich culture and flavor of LA’s neighborhoods and uplifting entire communities. When women rise, Los Angeles rises with them.