Member resource hub

Everything you need to start, grow, and scale your business.

A curated library of tools, courses, templates, funding programs, and local resources for Greater Phoenix LGBTQ+ and allied businesses. Curated by the Equality Chamber and its partners.

Resources are organised by stage. Start where you are and come back as you grow.

01 / Member resources

Stage 1: Start

Practical next steps for your business journey.

Get an EIN

Open resource

Choose a Business Structure

Verizon Digital Ready webinar on legal structures.

Open resource

Accounting Basics

Verizon Digital Ready webinar on small-business accounting.

Open resource

Understand Your P&L

How to read and build a profit and loss statement.

Open resource

Cash Flow Basics

How to calculate cash flow for your business.

Open resource

Bookkeeping

Video walkthroughs to set up your bookkeeping.

Open resource

Bookkeeping Tools

A second walkthrough on bookkeeping systems.

Open resource

Small Business Taxes

Verizon Digital Ready webinar on business taxes.

Open resource

Digital Tools

Verizon Digital Ready webinar on the tools that run your business.

Open resource

Build Your Website

Verizon Digital Ready webinar on domains and website creation.

Open resource

02 / Member resources

Stage 2: Grow

Practical next steps for your business journey.

Business Plan: Narrative

Verizon Digital Ready on writing the narrative plan.

Open resource

Website & E-commerce

Verizon Digital Ready on selling online.

Open resource

AI in Marketing

Verizon Digital Ready webinar on AI for marketing.

Open resource

AI Tools Deep Dive

More AI applications for small business.

Open resource

Work Smarter with AI

Practical AI workflows for your team.

Open resource

Pricing

Verizon Digital Ready webinar on pricing your services.

Open resource

Arizona Taxes

Arizona Department of Revenue taxpayer education.

Open resource

Tax Write-Offs

What you can and cannot write off.

Open resource

Business Taxes Explained

Video series on filing and planning.

Open resource

Tax Planning

A second video on tax planning for owners.

Open resource

Types of Insurance

What coverage a small business needs.

Open resource

Invoicing

How to invoice clients and get paid.

Open resource

Invoicing Systems

Tools and habits for steady cash flow.

Open resource

03 / Member resources

Stage 3: Scale

Practical next steps for your business journey.

Funding Options

Verizon Digital Ready on financing your growth.

Open resource

Small Business Loans

Verizon Digital Ready on loan readiness.

Open resource

Grants

Arizona Economic Resource Center grant listings.

Open resource

GrantWatch

A subscription database of grant opportunities.

Open resource

Supplier Accelerator

Verizon Digital Ready on corporate supplier programs.

Open resource

Customer Connection

Building relationships that keep customers.

Open resource

Social Media Strategy

Verizon Digital Ready on social media for business.

Open resource

Search Engine Optimization

Getting found in search results.

Open resource

E-commerce Growth

Scaling an online store.

Open resource

Staff Recruitment

Hiring your first and next employees.

Open resource

Business Proposal 101

Writing proposals that win contracts.

Open resource

Minority & Women Certifications

Verizon Digital Ready on supplier certification.

Open resource

Diverse Supplier Certification

Webinar on diverse supplier programs.

Open resource

AI Grant Writing Tool

Template

Grant Writing Template

Template

04 / Member resources

Mentorship & Supplier Portals

SCORE Mentorship

Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.

Open resource

StartOut Mentors

Mentorship for LGBTQ+ founders.

Open resource

City of Phoenix Procurement

Open resource

Mesa Procurement Services

Supplier and procurement information for the City of Mesa.

Open resource

05 / Member resources

Comprehensive Programs

SBA Business Guide

Federal startup counselling and guidance.

Open resource

Arizona Small Business Checklist

The state's step-by-step startup checklist.

Open resource

City of Phoenix Small Business Program

Local resources to grow and expand.

Open resource

Minority Business Development Agency

Arizona MBDA Business Center.

Open resource

Verizon Digital Ready

Free courses and coaching, offered with GPECC.

Open resource

Wells Fargo Small Business Resource Center

Guides and tools for small-business owners.

Open resource

Phoenix HUUB

A City of Phoenix small-business support hub.

Open resource

Mesa HUUB

A City of Mesa small-business support hub.

Open resource

06 / Member resources

Local Chambers & Business Organizations

Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Statewide chamber supporting Hispanic-owned businesses.

Open resource

Arizona Black Chamber of Commerce

Statewide chamber supporting Black-owned businesses.

Open resource

Local First Arizona

Arizona's largest local business coalition.

Open resource

Phoenix Community Alliance

Civic and business leaders advancing downtown Phoenix.

Open resource

Venture Café Phoenix

Weekly networking and innovation programming.

Open resource

Better Business Bureau Community Resources

BBB's community hub, scholarships and coworking.

Open resource

Phoenix Kiva Hub

Crowdfunded microloans for local businesses.

Open resource

Empower by GoDaddy

Small business accelerator programme.

Open resource

ignite sparked by BBB

Modern coworking space for small businesses.

Open resource

BBB4Good

BBB's social impact and purpose programme.

Open resource

BBB Student Scholarships

Scholarship opportunities for students.

Open resource

Grubhub for Restaurants

Resources for restaurant and food businesses.

Open resource

StartOut: LGBTQ+ Founders Program

Programmes and resources for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

Open resource

Minority Business Development Agency

Arizona MBDA Business Center.

Open resource

07 / Member resources

City of Phoenix Business Support

Grow & Expand

City of Phoenix programmes to help businesses grow.

Open resource

Business Resources

Invest in Phoenix business resource library.

Open resource

Small Business Assistance

Direct support for small businesses in Phoenix.

Open resource

08 / Member resources

AI for Business

Goblin Tools

Simple AI tools for everyday business tasks.

Open resource

ChatGPT

AI assistant for writing, planning and research.

Open resource

Claude

AI assistant from Anthropic for writing, analysis and everyday work.

Open resource

Marblism

AI platform for building websites and business workflows.

Open resource

09 / Member resources

LGBTQ+ Community & Safe Space Resources

Phoenix Pride Resources

General LGBTQ+ resources across Phoenix.

Open resource

GPECC Safe Space Primer

How to make your business a safe space.

Open resource

The Safe Zone Project

Free resources for building allyship and safe zones.

Open resource

Human Rights Campaign

Establishing an allies and safe zone programme.

Open resource

Safe Space Alliance

A global directory and network for safe spaces.

Open resource

Transgender Mental Health Resources

Support and care resources.

Open resource

10 / Member resources

Reports on LGBTQ+ Business

Arizona State of LGBTQ+ Business 2024

Out Leadership's Arizona report.

Open resource

State of LGBTQ Entrepreneurship 2023

StartOut's national entrepreneurship report.

Open resource

11 / Member resources

Member Savings & Tools

Member saving

QuickBooks Online — 30% off for 6 months

Open resource

Member tool

LivePlan

Build a professional business plan in 30 minutes.

Open resource

12 / Member resources

Government & Civic Contacts

Arizona Corporation Commission Arizona Department of Revenue Governor's Office Attorney General (civil rights, consumer and victim complaints)Secretary of State Arizona State Agencies & Key Contacts Arizona Association of Counties US Senators (Arizona)US House Members (Arizona)Arizona State Senate Arizona House of Representatives Phoenix Mayor & City Council Phoenix Boards & Commissions Scottsdale Government Mesa Government Tempe Government Glendale Government

13 / Member resources

Grants & Funding Programs

Revolving Loan Fund: low-interest loans for environmental cleanup, City of Phoenix
Verizon Digital Readiness Program Grant: $10,000, rolling applications
Chasing Rainbows Funding
JP Morgan Loan Readiness Program
Out Investors
Gaingels Scholarship

14 / Member resources