Caress Dreams to Reality Fund

As the founding partner of IFundWomen of Color, Caress invested $1M to fund, support, and elevate diverse founders. Through the Caress Dreams to Reality Fund, 150 diverse founders are receiving $1000 grants and $1500 coaching scholarships to execute successful crowdfunding campaigns. The first cohort of 75 women of color are currently fundraising.

Fund these founders

Caress • IFundWomen of Color

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 that creativity flourishes - and Caress believes that no great idea should go down the drain! So, 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 Dreams to Reality 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 keeping the funding gap going with the Dreams to Reality Fund.

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Welcome to the Dreams to Reality Fund

Through this program 150 diverse founders will receive $1,000 in grants and $1,500 in 1:1 intensive coaching to execute successful crowdfunding campaigns. Here's 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.

6-month fundraising program

Program participants will go through a 6-month fundraising program to prep, launch, and execute a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2021.

A $1,000 Grant

Program participants will receive a $1000 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.

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 a reality. 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.

Network Building

WATCH THE VIDEO

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.

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.

Strategic Partnerships

WATCH THE VIDEO

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.

DOWNLOADABLE TOOLS

IFundWomen Method Playbook

The IFundWomen Method Playbook is an end-to-end campaign planner: pitch honing, network mapping, rewards P&L, and marketing planner. This will be your crowdfunding bible during your campaign.

Download

IFundWomen Method Crowdfunding eCourse

Designed with early-stage entrepreneurs in mind, this FREE e-course will teach you how to use the IFundWomen Method to hone your pitch, map your network, strategically estimate your fundraising goal, market to your target audience, and design rewards that sell.

Don’t just take our word for it. 84% of people who’ve taken this course say they feel "way more confident" to hit their crowdfunding goal.

Watch the eCourse

Campaign Guide

The IFundWomen Crowdfunding Campaign Guide is a crash course on how to crowdfund. Think broad strokes to give you an idea of what to expect. Go check it out and then we highly recommend that you take the time to watch our free crowdfunding eCourse where you can really get into the details of planning your campaign.

Campaign Guide

Caress • IFWOC grant recipients

Through the Caress Dreams to Reality Fund, a cohort of 75 women of color entrepreneurs have been working to prep and launch crowdfunding campaigns. Check out their amazing businesses and fund their campaigns!