The Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded a $550,000 grant to JUST Community, a Texas nonprofit that provides equitable access to capital and support for entrepreneurs. The funding, announced at the kick-off of El Paso Start-Up Week, will expand JUST's financial empowerment and coaching model, which prioritizes character over credit scores when evaluating borrowers.
This grant will help small business owners in El Paso and across Texas start, grow, and sustain their businesses, providing tools that lead to long-term financial stability. Steve Wanta, Co-Founder and CEO of JUST, emphasized the importance of trust in their approach: 'By building relationships with entrepreneurs and providing tools for credit, savings, and strategic investments, we help them build more than income. They gain ownership of their business, their homes, and their futures.'
The announcement coincided with JUST Community's milestone of distributing over $1 million in loans to entrepreneurs in El Paso. A local market showcased businesses that have thrived with JUST's support, highlighting the impact of the trust-based model. Local business leaders, city officials, and Wells Fargo representatives attended the event.
JUST Community has provided over $40 million in loans to thousands of entrepreneurs across Texas. Its model combines capital, coaching, and a supportive network to help business owners save strategically and achieve long-term financial stability. According to JUST, 90% of participants build sustainable businesses and can cover emergency expenses within 18-24 months.
Alma Gonzalez, founder of Chester Homemade Dog Treats, shared her experience: 'For so long, I felt invisible – no one believed in my idea because it was just a tiny dream. But JUST was the first to see beyond the numbers and trust in me.' In El Paso alone, over 100 entrepreneurs have used JUST's trust-based lending to launch and grow their businesses.
The grant announcement also marked the kickoff of El Paso Start-Up Week, celebrating new opportunities and local business growth across the city and state. JUST Community is a social venture that invests in Texas entrepreneurs, fostering financial stability and generational wealth through a trust-based financial system. To learn more, visit hellojust.com.
