Announcing Exciting New Opportunities for Scale Up this Fall!
Now in its second year, Scale Up is launching its next cohort on September 14th.
The Local First Arizona Sustainability team is now accepting applications for the next four cohorts starting in September 2021, November 2021, January 2022, and March 2022 from businesses and nonprofits seeking to develop the knowledge and skills to implement a sustainability project that reduces their impact, benefits their community, and gets them recognized for building a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable local economy in Arizona.
Scale Up is a 7 week cohort-based workshop series that offers the unique opportunity for businesses to go from education and collaboration to planning, benchmarking, financing, and implementation - all in one accessible package. Since the start of the program at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, 46 Arizona businesses and nonprofits have since launched various projects addressing energy, water, waste, transportation, developing a culture of sustainability, diversity, equity, inclusion, and more with ongoing support from the Local First Arizona Sustainability Team.
Space in each Scale Up cohort is limited to provide a personalized and deeply collaborative experience for participating businesses. Click here or email Nick Shivka directly at nick@localfirstaz.com to apply or learn more today!
Additional Benefits for Participants - New for 2021
New Arizona Green loan fund from Growth Partners Arizona
Growth Partners Arizona is partnering with Local First Arizona (LFA) to offer the Arizona Green loan fund to graduates of LFA’s SCALE UP program with low-rate loans to fund their sustainability projects. LFA already partners with Community Investment Corporation for small dollar loans through the Green Community Fund already available for Southern Arizona participants and with GPAz’s new program, SCALE UP graduates will have access to larger loans in more geographic areas. Look for more details and a public announcement coming soon!
Arizona Green Business Certification
While in Scale Up, participants are able to achieve Arizona Green Business Certification for their business or nonprofit, helping to grow loyalty with customers and employees seeking to buy from and work for sustainability-minded businesses.
Green2Sustainable Sustainability Dashboard & Data Support Opportunity (Limited, based on application)
The Green2Sustainable (G2S) Sustainability Dashboard allows you to make data-driven decisions to drive improvements in performance, measure your impacts, and tell your sustainability story.
Opportunity to be featured on Social Television Network’s STN Project Greenprint episodes
An exciting new environmental video series featuring business owners, local leaders, experts, innovators, and policymakers who have implemented practices that give Arizonans an in-depth look at sustainability solutions.
Community Engagement Field Trips and Volunteer Opportunities
We strive to provide direct connections with the people, landscapes, businesses, and communities that make up the local economies and ecosystems here in Arizona through site visits, volunteer events, and advocacy opportunities.
PLUS
Ongoing Project Research and Other Planning Support
Regular Arizona sustainability news and solutions updates
Virtual Green Happy Hour Events
Interested in Scale Up for your business or nonprofit? Interested in facilitating a Scale Up session?Email Nick Shivka - nick@localfirstaz.com today!
What’s possible in Scale Up? Check out inspiring projects that other businesses are doing!
