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Caress Dreams Fund

As the founding partner of IFundWomen of Color, Caress invested $1M to fund, support, and elevate women of color founders. This year, Caress is continuing their commitment to diverse entrepreneurs. The Caress Dreams Fund will bring 60 founders through crowdfunding accelerator programs culminating in a $5,000 grant for each business, opportunities to pitch, plus the coaching and creative services they need to execute successful fundraising campaigns. Applications for Fall cohort are now open through July 8.

This application is now closed.

Caress Dreams Fund

Learn more about the Caress Dreams Fund

Over the course of two cohorts throughout 2022, 60 women of color founders will be selected (30 per program) to each receive a $5,000 grant and access to valuable resources that will set them up for success and reach their funding goals through crowdfunding campaigns. Learn more about what the program offers:

annual coaching membership

Program participants will receive a year of 1:1 coaching with IFundWomen experts on all of the business topics they need to know.

12-week crowdfunding accelerator program

Program participants will go through a 12-week fundraising program to prep, launch, and execute a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2022. The 12-week program will take place from August 8, 2022 through October 26, 2022.

A $5,000 Grant

Program participants will receive a $5,000 grant from Caress as the first funder of their crowdfunding campaign.

Exclusive networking opportunities

Program participants will receive unique opportunities to expand their network and learn from industry experts.

Inspiration starts here

Caress believes that moments of self-care are so important for women to feel truly pampered, centered, and connected with themselves. It's in these moments of immersing your senses where creativity flourishes to bring your dreams to life—inspiration starts here. Meet some of out 2021 Caress Dreams Fund participants below.

Kimbritive
A House Called Hue

A House Called Hue from IFundWomen on Vimeo.

Embrace Change

Caress • IFundWomen of Color

As the founding partner of IFundWomen of Color, Caress has committed $1,000,000 to IFundWomen over the next two years to support women of color entrepreneurs and small business owners through COVID-19 relief and the Caress Dreams Fund; giving them access to the education, tools, resources, and FUNDING they need to take their dreams to the next level.

To date, we’ve invested $500K in COVID-19 Relief Grants to 200 women of color entrepreneurs and we’re continuing our work to close the funding gap through the Caress Dreams Fund.

Resource hub

We know it’s about more than just the funding. Whether you’re working to grow your project, side hustle, small business, or start up, these are the tools that will help you get to the next level.

Caress • IFundWomen of Color Virtual Summit

WATCH THE VIDEO

For this year’s Women’s History Month, Caress & IFundWomen of Color highlighted & celebrated diverse founders who, against all odds, are making their dreams to life. The virtual summit featured amazing speakers like Esi Eggleston Bracey EVP of Personal Care & Beauty at Unilever, Cyndi Ramirez, Founder & CEO of Chillhouse, IFundWomen of Color entrepreneurs, and workshops hosted by IFundWomen's expert coaches. If you missed, catch all of the gems shared in the replay.

Building a professional network

WATCH THE WORKSHOP

The key to your success is in the power of your network. The best CEOs, founders and creatives attained their positions not just because of what they knew but the friends, colleagues, relationships that supported them along the way. If you're building a new business, especially if you're endeavoring into a new industry, networking is essential to the success of your business. Watch this workshop to learn how to define your network, how to find people that are a part of your industry vertical, and how to expand your network whether you're an industry newbie or veteran.

How to navigate customer discovery

READ THE BLOG

You’ve told your friends and family, you’ve bought a domain, you’ve designed the website, and even changed your LinkedIn job description to that coveted “Founder” title. You’re ready to launch this business and see your idea revolutionize the world. Yet, the night before your launch, you’re tossing and turning in bed with one dreaded question circling your brain, attacking your will to sleep: “What if no one even wants this product?” Here’s the truth. You won’t ever completely get rid of this feeling as a founder. But, you can put your mind a bit at ease by spending some time on this important step: Customer Discovery.

Creating strategic partnerships

WATCH THE WORKSHOP

Whether your business is on the Fortune 500 or just starting out, strategic partnerships can make a huge difference in driving growth for your business. Strategic partnerships allow businesses the opportunity to reach new customers, deepen relationships with their current audience, increase brand presence, and expand the product set.  Watch this workshop to learn the strategy behind identifying, pitching, and closing deals with companies that can take your business to the next level.

Meet the Caress Dreams Fund Fall Cohort

Through the Caress Dreams Fund Fall Cohort, 34 women of color entrepreneurs have been working to prep and launch crowdfunding campaigns. Check out their amazing businesses and fund their campaigns!
Indianapolis, IN

Sip & Share Wines

by Sip & Share Wines

Sip & Share Wines is crowdfunding for the launch of our new Be Bubbly Sparkling Wine right in time for the holiday season!

54% Funded
$5,355Raised
0Days Left
Business Services

Our best ideas start in the shower

We know that every big dream starts with a small spark of possibility. Caress has always been committed to creating products that turn every shower into a fully immersive sensorial experience - moments that are proven to spur creativity. It's what inspires Caress' belief that no great idea should go down the drain and our passion for the Caress Dreams Fund.

Learn more

 

It's time to take your dream to the next level

 

Learn more about IFundWomen of Color

 

Learn more about Caress.

Read the program Official Rules. Read the program Official Rules Spring Cohort.