Mission

The Hispanic Business Foundation provides educational and community outreach to and for Hispanic and other minority-owned businesses as a benefit to the economic and social development of the Maryland community at large.

Objectives

HBF recognizes that sound economic opportunities for minority owned businesses are the best way to achieve parity in the workforce and in the community. We  promote education, sound business practices, and synergies between youth and the business community.

HBF provides educational opportunities for business owners seeking to get a business off the ground, or seeking to re-invent themselves after a significant change in the economic climate.

Non-Profit Status

The Hispanic Business Foundation is a 501c3 non profit organization, and has also been qualified as a charitable organization 501c1 under U.S. Internal Revenue Service regulations.

History

Founded in 2000, the HBF has been the recipient of a number of grants, including Montgomery County, and the U.S. Department of Labor.  Through these grants, the HBF has organized the annual Minority Procurement Fair that is held each March at the Universities of Shady Grove, where small business owners have an opportunity to network, dialog, and present their capabilities to procurement officials from the private and public sectors.  Marriott Corporation, Verizon, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Montgomery County Department of Economic Development, and Maryland Department of Transportation are among the typical sponsors of this annual event.    A youth scholarship fundraising dinner/gala runs in conjunction with this event, to benefit graduating students from the Montgomery County Public School system as well as students in Montgomery College.

Most recently, the HBF has sponsored the after school program at Blair High School, and has joined forces with the YMCA and Identity in providing a steering committee of business owners to assist in developing a program and advising the Youth Opportunity Center managers on how to establish viable links to the business community to create opportunities for young adults seeking to re-enter the workforce after exiting a correctional program.

The HBF works closely with and currently receives significant support from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County (HCCMC).