The Coramino Fund today awarded $200,000 total in grants to 20 small businesses across the Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, and Los Angeles regions, directing funding to entrepreneurs building and growing in under-resourced communities.
The fund is managed by the nonprofit Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and seeded by Gran Coramino® Tequila, an ultra-premium tequila founded by entrepreneur Kevin Hart and 11th-generation tequila master Juan Domingo Beckmann.
“With each new round of grants, I get to see what these business owners are able to do with ten thousand dollars: invaluable equipment, new hires, more impact,” said Kevin Hart, co-founder of Gran Coramino Tequila. “These next 20 businesses aren’t just serving Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, and LA. They’re holding those neighborhoods down. That’s the kind of hard work this brand was made to support, and I’m proud to welcome the next round of grantees into the Coramino Fund.”
In Detroit, the grantees are:
Diligent Fitness, Detroit (health/recreation)
Pleasant Street Bakery, Detroit (retail)
Sunnyside Enrichment Center, Oak Park, Mich. (educational services)
Diligent Fitness founder, Carly Renee Britton told Coramino, “Connecting with the community has been one of the biggest blessings from my business. I believe that when people are physically strong and fit, the whole community is healthier.”
On their website, the fund notes that small business owners have big ideas and big dreams, but many face barriers on their journey. This includes small businesses based in and serving low- and moderate-income communities, which are often less likely to have cash reserves and to obtain capital, which limits their ability to grow.
The Coramino Fund’s 2026 support is fueling businesses in manufacturing, the arts, education, health, food service, and more. Owners are using their $10,000 grants to help fund the purchase of new equipment, expand their workforce and extend the reach of their products and services.
“Small businesses are an essential part of the economic and social fabric of their communities,” said Michael Pugh, president and CEO of LISC. “As such, it is crucial that they are properly funded and resourced. That’s why I’m proud that LISC is partnering with Gran Coramino Tequila to help fuel small business growth and development in neighborhoods across the country.”
Since its founding in 1979, LISC has invested $38 billion to create more than 552,000 affordable homes and apartments, develop 88 million square feet of retail, community, and educational space, and help tens of thousands of people find employment and improve their finances.
You can reach Biba at Biba.Adams@MIChronicle.com
