The Initiative

Elevate Together® is an initiative designed to support underserved small businesses with five or less employees. The ODP Corporation (parent company to Office Depot, ODP Business Solutions and Veyer) is the initiative’s founding partner.

Through community partners, the initiative delivers education, access and aid that accelerates the creation, growth and prosperity of underserved small businesses.

In 2018, Office Depot proudly launched its community investment mission called #depotdifference, bringing a focused, hands-on approach to empower all associates to make a difference through volunteer service and philanthropic giving in three cause focus areas: Empowering Education, Championing Minority Entrepreneurship, and Strengthening Communities.

The ODP Corporation, parent company of Office Depot, ODP Business Solutions and Veyer, is the founding partner of the Elevate Together initiative. In 2021, The ODP Corporation launched the Elevate Together initiative to drive its focus on championing entrepreneurship and continue its long-standing history of serving local community businesses. The ODP Corporation has engaged its associates and customers in this mission and invites other like-minded corporations to partner in the initiative by leveraging their financial resources and business expertise to foster new opportunities for underserved small businesses to grow and succeed.

 

Small Business Support

Small business owners interested in participating in the initiative can email info@elevatetogether.org.

Small business owners that are part of the Elevate Together initiative will receive short and/or long term-term education and training, mentoring and advisory services delivered by local community partners. Some businesses may also be eligible to receive a cash grant or in-kind products and services from the initiative.

Businesses interested in applying for an Elevate Together grant award must participate in the technical assistance programming offered by community partner in the Elevate Together ecosystem.

Eligibility requirements for an Elevate Together cash grant include:

  • Business Certifications:
    • Licensed (if applicable)
    • Registered with the Department of Revenue and Registered with the IRS
    • If applicable, also registered with the Department of State
  • Considered a Small Business based on SBA size standards
  • In “good standing” with respective state
  • Participate in technical assistance programming offered by Elevate Together community partner
  • In existence at least 9 months.
  • 1-5 employees
  • Owner must be at least 21 years old and be a legal resident of one of the 48 contiguous United States, the District of Columbia, Alaska or Hawaii.
  • Business must provide plan for the use of funds

Elevate Together has operated in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix and South Florida.