Meet Rosie!

‍Rosie Li founded her Brooklyn-based lighting design studio in 2015, bringing together designers and engineers to create made-to-order work inspired by her Chinese American heritage.

For Rosie, the next chapter meant more than a new studio. It meant the opportunity to dream bigger. Through the NYC Elevating Business Loan Fund, she secured financing from Renaissance Small Business Services to move into a larger space, along with one-on-one advisory support to help grow her business.

Thanks to a coordinated partnership with The Asian American Foundation, Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation Social Justice Fund, and the State of New York—made possible in part through State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funding from Empire State Development - the Elevating Business program provides small businesses with affordable, flexible capital along with one-on-one financial advisory support.

But capital is only part of the equation.For small business owners in underserved communities, the right support at the right moment can be the difference between simply getting by and moving forward. It can mean opening a new location, hiring another employee, investing in equipment, or finally turning a long-held dream into a sustainable business.

This is where philanthropy makes a difference.Philanthropic partners give community organizations like Renaissance the resources and flexibility to go beyond lending—to build trust, provide guidance, reach entrepreneurs who are often overlooked, and create pathways to opportunity.Philanthropic investment doesn't just support a loan. It supports a person, a business, a family, and a neighborhood.And the impact multiplies. When a small business grows, it creates jobs. It fills storefronts. It strengthens local economies. It gives families greater financial stability. It helps communities remain vibrant and resilient.

Rosie's next chapter was made possible because someone believed in the power of her potential.

We invite philanthropic partners to believe in the next Rosie.Invest in the entrepreneurs who are building our communities. Help provide the capital, trusted support, and opportunity they need to take their next step.

Call us to learn more. (212)964-6022 | RenaissanceSBS.org

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