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PPA | Creative Entrepreneurs Accelerator Program (CEAP)
What is the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program?
Creative entrepreneurs are invaluable assets to communities. They lead innovation, deliver creative products and services, generate economic opportunity, and build community identity. This program is designed for creative entrepreneurs who aspire to start their own for-profit business or who operate an existing for-profit micro business. The program encourages the participation of interested creative entrepreneurs located in communities across the commonwealth, including those located in low-income communities, urban, suburban, and rural communities. Successful applicants receive small business consultation services and a grant of $2,000.
The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program is funded by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), a state agency under the Office of the Governor, and administered regionally by the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA). Lehigh Valley Community Foundation serves as the PA Partners in the Arts partner organization for Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, and Northampton Counties.
WHAT IS THE CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR ACCELERATOR?
Creative entrepreneurs are vital to Pennsylvania’s economy and cultural life. The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program supports individuals who are starting a for-profit creative business or growing an existing for-profit creative microbusiness.
Selected entrepreneurs receive:
• One-on-one business consultation through a local small business development organization
• Access to business planning tools and resources
• A $2,000 grant to support business formation or growth
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Applicants must:
• Be 18 years or older
• Be a Pennsylvania resident for at least one year
• Intend to start or currently operate a for-profit creative business in Pennsylvania
• Have gross revenue under $200,000 (if operating)
• Have not received CEA funding in the past three years
• Operate within an eligible creative industry
ELIGIBLE USES OF FUNDS
Funds may be used for marketing, equipment, professional services, business development, technology upgrades, studio or rehearsal space, research, and participation in revenue-generating events.
Funds may not be used for salaries, food, political activity, religious purposes, or expenses outside the grant period.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The CEA Program uses a referral-first process:
1. Connect with a referral coordinator (See list below)
2. Complete business consultation
3. Referral submitted to LVCF
4. Application invitation sent from LVCF
5. Grant awardees notified by LVCF and funds disbursed
6. Final reporting due by December 31, 2026
TIMELINE
· Application now open (contact referral partner if not already completed)
· Applications received by March 26, 2026, will be reviewed in April
· Applicants will be notified in May 2026
· Applications after March 26, will be dependent upon availability of grant funds
· Final report due for all grantees by December 31, 2026
PARTICIPATING REFERRAL COORDINATORS
Lehigh University Small Business Development Center
Serving Lehigh and Northampton Counties
To get started, submit a Request for Service: https://sbdc.lehigh.edu/request-service
Phone: (610) 758-3980
Email: sbdc@lehigh.edu
Wilkes University Small Business Development Center
Serving Carbon County
To get started, submit a Request for Service: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/signup
Phone: (570)-408-4335
Email: lucy.singer@wilkes.edu
The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center
Serving Monroe County
To get started, submit a Request for Service: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/signup
Phone: 570-941-4152
Email: Leigh.Fennie@scranton.edu
Rising Tide Community Loan Fund
Serving Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, and Northampton Counties
To get started, call or email Chris Hudock at the contact information below:
Phone: (484)-893-1093
Email: chudock@caclv.org
Finanta
Serving Lehigh and Northampton Counties
To get started, call or email Marilyn Morel at the contact information below:
Phone: 484-484-8007
Email: mmorel@finanta.org
ASK Mary | Learn more about the Community Foundation’s Partners in the Arts (PPA) grant opportunities
Mary S. Mancino
Program Associate (Part-time Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
840 W. Hamilton Street, Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18101
mary@lvcfoundation.org | Arts@lvcfoundation.org