TruFund Financial Services, Inc. proudly hosted its highly anticipated 2024 TruImpact Awards on October 9, 2024 at the beautiful Empire Penthouse in Manhattan, a spectacular event dedicated to recognizing the outstanding contributions of its partners, funders, investors, and the small businesses that drive economic growth and transformation in underserved communities. This year’s event marked a significant celebration of impact, resilience, and innovation.
The evening’s top honors included the presentation of the inaugural James H. Bason - TruImpact Legacy Award to TruFund’s President and CEO. This award, a testament to Mr. Bason’s remarkable leadership and unwavering dedication to economic equity, was a heartfelt tribute to his enduring vision for empowering underserved communities and fostering small business success. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Bason expressed deep gratitude to his board and staff, stating, "This recognition is a profound honor, not only for me but for every individual and organization that has partnered with TruFund to make our vision a reality. I am deeply thankful for our team, our partners, and the communities we serve. Together, we are building a lasting legacy of opportunity and economic justice."
The 2024 TruImpact Awards highlighted the ongoing commitment of TruFund to empower small businesses and foster economic growth through strategic partnerships and investments. The event was attended by an audience of over 150 distinguished guests, including key stakeholders from the financial and business communities, government officials, and supporters from across the country.
In addition to honoring Mr. Bason, the evening featured the announcement of TruFund’s 2023 TruImpact Report, showcasing the organization’s achievements over the past year. The report reflected on the dedication of TruFund and its partners in addressing critical economic challenges and building pathways to prosperity.
Dr. Kim Carter Evans, SVP of Operations at TruFund and chair of this year’s TruImpact Awards, shared; "The TruImpact Awards are more than just an event; they are a celebration of the people and partners who make lasting change possible. We are incredibly proud of the progress we have made together, and this evening is a reflection of that shared success."
In addition to the Legacy Award, the event recognized several other impactful partners: Ray Salaberrios, Empire State Development; Beth Bafford, Calvert Impact Capital; Ford Foundation, Morgan Stanley; Jeanique Druses, JP Morgan Chase; Mike Scott, Regions Bank and several small business owners.
The evening also featured the unveiling of the 2023 TruImpact Report, which showcased TruFund’s tremendous achievements over the past year. Notably, the report highlighted the organization’s impact in providing over $600 million (since inception) in financial investments in the communities it serves, reinforcing its commitment to fostering economic mobility and community development.
The 2024 TruImpact Awards cemented TruFund’s position as a leader in creating pathways to prosperity and opportunity for small businesses and will continue to be a cornerstone of TruFund's commitment to community-driven solutions, celebrating the resilience and potential of small businesses and the ecosystems that support them. As TruFund looks ahead to 2025, the organization remains steadfast in its mission to create economic opportunities for underserved communities nationwide, deepening its impact, and expanding its reach.
About TruFund Financial Services
TruFund Financial Services, Inc. is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) committed to stimulating economic development in underserved communities by providing innovative financial solutions and hands-on technical assistance to small businesses. TruFund empowers its clients with the financial resources and expertise they need to build wealth and drive economic mobility.
For more information on TruFund and the 2023 TruImpact Report, visit www.trufund.org or Our Impact, view at TruFund's TruImpact Report 2023
For media inquiries, contact:
Dr. Kim Carter Evans
Senior Vice President
TruFund Financial Services, Inc.
646.385.6946
