Program supports working ‘mompreneurs’

Program is looking for aspiring or current business owners

Samuel Adams Brewing is expanding its Brewing the American Dream program to focus on moms.

Samuel Adams Brewing is expanding its Brewing the American Dream program to focus on moms — who are also aspiring or current food and beverage entrepreneurs.

The program is accepting nominations for the Moms Brewing the American Dream package, which will offer financial contributions and resources to working moms in the food and beverage industry — an industry hard hit by the pandemic.

Fifty recipients — one from each state — will be selected to receive the package.

Nominations and self-nominations are being accepted through May 23. Applicants must have an existing small business or be interested in starting their own small business in the food and beverage industry, according to information listed on the application. Applicants should also be a mother or expectant mother.

Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream, is a philanthropic program launched in 2008 by the Boston-based brewer that provides mentorship and capital to food and beverage entrepreneurs.

“The Brewing the American Dream program is one that Samuel Adams holds dearly as part of the business DNA, and we’re honored to be a part of the journey of inspiring entrepreneurs across the country,” Jim Koch, founder and brewer of Samuel Adams, said in the release. “We recognize that supporting moms who are also pursuing their entrepreneur dreams goes beyond just offering help to their businesses right now, so we hope that this initiative can provide some relief to a community that needs some extra support.”

The Moms Brewing the American Dream comes at a time of heightened hardship when nearly 3 million women have lost their jobs in the past year due to layoffs, furloughs and poor accessibility to childcare, according to a press release announcing the initiative.

“Brewing the American Dream recognizes that moms who are pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams need more support now more than ever,” the release stated.

The nomination form can be completed via the Brewing the American Dream Facebook or Instagram page, or through the submission form. Any application form received that is not properly or completely filled in will not be considered.

The 50 recipients of the Moms Brewing the American Dream will be chosen based on the predicted impact that the mentoring sessions will have on their longterm business success. Applications will be judged by a panel of professionals and winners will be notified by email and a phone call no later than three weeks after the close of the application.

The full package will include: Business trainings in various functional areas, such as social media, graphic design, accounting/finance, legal, marketing, sales and distribution; a $500 check to contribute to childcare or groceries; a voucher to mDesign for home storage and organization needs; a three month subscription to City Girl Coffee that sources coffee from women-owned or —managed farms and co-operatives; a Kami Mini camera; and a gift card to Bathorium.com.

Since Brewing the American Dream began, Samuel Adams has supported its national nonprofit partner Accion Opportunity Fund in providing program has provided more than 3,200 loans totaling nearly $64 million across 39 states. The program has also provided business coaching and advising to more than 12,000 people. The businesses supported by this program have created or retained more than 9,000 jobs in their local communities, according to the release.

For more information on Brewing the American Dream, visit www. brewingtheamericandream.com.