ATLANTA, March 1, 2025 — Operation HOPE, a national nonprofit dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and financial literacy, today announced a partnership with SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer business mentors. This partnership, designed to support small businesses, underscores a shared commitment to empower small businesses and underrepresented entrepreneurs nationwide.
SCORE, which consists of over 10,000 volunteers, provides aspiring and current entrepreneurs with free expert mentorship, resources, and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. For 60 years, SCORE has supported American small businesses in launching, growing and thriving.
Through this partnership, Operation HOPE and SCORE will offer business mentorship to small businesses participating in Operation HOPE’s 1 Million Black Business Initiative, as well as to Operation HOPE clients recovering from natural disasters.
The 1 Million Black Business Initiative (1MBB) is one of Operation HOPE’s flagship programs and has been at the forefront of growing Black entrepreneurship in America. 1MBB provides Black businesses with resources, mentorship, training, and access to capital. Since its launch in 2020, nearly 400,000 new Black businesses have been created and engaged through the program.
“This partnership with SCORE reflects our constant evolution in ensuring we are making local, regional, and national connections to empower, support, and grow small businesses nationwide,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE. “By working with an organization like SCORE, which understands the commitment to service in reaching our goals through initiatives like 1MBB and disaster relief programs, we can provide necessary resources and drive economic success for entrepreneurs nationwide.”
The partnership includes SCORE’s support for Operation HOPE small business clients loan and grant documentation preparation. The two organizations will also collaborate on administering educational sessions, 1:1 coaching, and access to resources for small businesses.
Leveraging Operation HOPE’s extensive network and continued success in their programs , along with SCORE’s expertise in business mentorship and development, the partnership will equip entrepreneurs and small businesses with high-quality resources and teams committed to help them thrive.