s4story -- BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA:  The impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic have created an economic crisis for the small businesses that are the heart and soul of Indiana downtowns and Main Streets. Now, more than ever, those small businesses, their owners, and their workers are in need of support to survive this crisis. While Federal and State relief efforts and small business loan programs can help, they are also over-stretched and slow to disburse, if at all. Because of this, groups across the state have launched crowdfunding campaigns to raise funds to cover immediate needs of their small business communities.

Jeffersonville, Kendalville and Muncie have partnered with the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity to allow area residents and organizations to directly support the small business community through these incredibly difficult times.

"Our work at Patronicity has always been focused on helping communities create vibrancy through creative placemaking and small businesses have been critical partners in those efforts. Now, our small businesses are challenged to keep their doors open and as the cornerstone of our local economies they need help," said Bridget Anderson, director at Patronicity. "When communities come together, they are powerful. Doing what you can, no matter how big or small can make a difference for your neighbors and your local small businesses."

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The Patronicity Small Business Support program runs through the end of May and offers one of one project coaching with platform fees normally charged to project teams waived.   Also, funds can be distributed on an ongoing basis during the duration of campaigns as groups identify qualified businesses. Learn more at www.patronicity.com/small-biz.

Patronicity is a civic & community-based crowdfunding platform aimed at building more vibrant communities by creating engagement with the public to support projects meaningful to sponsors and area residents. Patronicity's award-winning crowdgranting model – an easy application process & cost-effective administration – brings deeper engagement and broader press & public recognition which is aimed directly at a sponsor's mission for creating better communities.