The hardest part of becoming an entrepreneur is putting a good idea into action. The second-hardest part is money. But if you’re a member of AAJA, NABJ, NAHJ or NAJA, here’s help:

Unity: Journalists of Color has launched a new program called “The New U: News Entrepreneurs Working through Unity.” The four member organizations (that’d be those acronyms at the top) will be giving away slices of a $100,000 Ford Foundation grant to applicants who have the best-laid plans for a sustainable small business.

Applications are open now.

Winning applicants not only get money, they’ll get two days of mentoring at one of the national conventions — which one depends on which organization the applicant belongs to. I’ll be among the mentors at the AAJA and NABJ workshops, working to lay solid foundations for long-term success.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a business, but need guidance and seed funding, this is your chance.

NAHJ’s convention is coming up first (June 23-26), so they’ll be fielding the first candidates. If you have questions in the meantime, ask in a comment.

For reference:
NAJA convention (July 21-24), St. Paul, Minnesota
NABJ convention (July 28- Aug. 1), San Diego
AAJA convention (Aug. 4-7), Los Angeles