The Initiative

Elevate Together is a non-profit initiative designed to address systemic discrimination and historical racial disparities in business growth and profitability in Black and Hispanic communities. The ODP Corporation (parent company to Office Depot) is the initiative’s founding partner. Funds for the Elevate Together initiative are collected and managed by Round It Up America, a 501(c)3 organization.

Through a partnership with the National Urban League and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the initiative delivers education, access and aid that accelerates the creation, growth and prosperity of Black and Hispanic 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, 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 minority entrepreneurship and continue its long-standing history of serving local community businesses. The ODP Corporation will engage its associates and customers in this mission and invite other like-minded corporations to partner in the initiative by leveraging their financial resources and business expertise to foster new opportunities for Black and Hispanic small businesses to grow and succeed.

Donations

Elevate Together powered by Round It Up America® works with the National Urban League and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to deliver impactful, measurable and scalable support services that foster business creation and growth opportunities for Black and Hispanic businesses. Services include education and training, mentoring and advisory. Some businesses may also be eligible to receive a cash grant or in-kind products and services from the initiative.

Individuals can contribute to the Elevate Together initiative through Round It Up America, a 501(c)3 organization and through employee payroll deductions at The ODP Corporation.

Corporate donors can contribute to the Elevate Together initiative through Round It Up America, a 501(c)3 organization.

Elevate Together is a non-profit initiative powered by Round It Up America, a 501(c)3 organization. Round It Up America collects and distributes all funds donated to the Elevate Together initiative.

Elevate Together is powered by Round It Up America, a 501(c)(3) organization responsible for the collection and distribution of donations. Donations to the Elevate Together initiative are generally tax deductible for both individuals and corporations. Donors should consult a tax professional to resolve questions regarding their particular donation.

Small Business Support

Black and Hispanic small business owners interested in participating in the initiative must contact the National Urban League at 212-558-5300 or the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at 202-842-1212 during standard business hours Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm EST.

Black and Hispanic 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 cash grant must participate in the technical assistance programming offered by an Urban League Entrepreneurship Center or Hispanic Chamber that is an Elevate Together community partner. Current partners include:

  • Chicago Urban League
  • Los Angeles Urban League
  • Urban League of Broward County
  • Urban League of Greater Atlanta
  • Urban League of Palm Beach County
  • Urban League of Philadelphia
  • Arizona Hispanic Chamber
  • Dallas Hispanic Chamber
  • Georgia Hispanic Chamber
  • Hispanic Chamber of Palm Beach
  • Illinois Hispanic Chamber
  • Latino Chamber of Minnesota
  • Los Angeles Latino Chamber
  • Michigan Hispanic Chamber
  • Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber
  • South Florida Hispanic Chamber
  • Meda

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
  • At least 51% minority-owned, operated and controlled.
    • A minority group member is an individual who is at least 51% Black or Hispanic.
    • Ownership, in the case of a publicly-owned business, means that at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more of these two minority group members.
  • 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 launched in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and South Florida. The initiative expanded to Dallas, Detroit, Fort Worth, Houston, Minneapolis and Phoenix in 2022.