CAPE COD — Amplify POC Cape Cod will use two ARPA awards totaling $110,000 to start an equity fund for students and business owners in 2023, according to founder and CEO Tara Vargas-Wallace.

The nonprofit will use the money to launch two programs. The first will award 10 grants up to $5,000 to businesses owned by people of color so they can expand and stabilize their operations. Amplify POC hopes to grow the fund with additional fundraising efforts to continue the program.

A second program will be for students of color. Amplify will distribute up to 10 student stipends of up to $500 each. The John Reed Student Assistance program, named in honor of NAACP Cape Cod President John Reed’s advocacy and support of Cape Cod youth, will run through 2023.  

Read the full article from the Cape Cod Times here.