FPU photo
published on January 5, 2026 – 2:56 PM
Written by Frank Lopez
Fresno Pacific University recently received more than $1 million in grants to support local businesses.
FPU’s Center for Community Transformation (CCT) received more than $1.3 million to support businesses and startups in 11 rural communities—Sanger, Reedley, Parlier, Cutler, Orosi, Dinuba, Kingsburg, Selma, Laton, Caruthers and Kerman.
The awards include a $358,157 USDA grant and a five-year, $1 million from Lilly Endowment Inc.
According to a press release, the CCT received the grant on Sept. 30, but there were delays related to the recent federal government shutdown—the funds were officially awarded in early December.
“CCT will continue holding listening sessions in these communities,” said Carlos Huerta, executive director of CCT. “We want to curate the right supports for those in these areas.”
The CCT will partner with local chambers of commerce and city economic development departments to support job creation, job retention, and overall business health.
The grant also funds the launch of a new program, the Rural Ignite Business Acceleration, offering opportunities for local entrepreneurs and business owners to receive in-depth, expert training in a variety of targeted topics.
CCT received $190,000 in grant funding last year.
“These funds allow us to deepen our commitment to the Valley’s rural communities,” Huerta
said. “We’re equipping business owners with tools, training and collaborative support.”
The CCT also received a five-year, $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. awarded in early December 2025.
This funding extends CCT’s original 2020 grant Lilly and expands its LaunchPad program to six new cities around the country in partnership with Leadership Foundations.
The funding will help establish the creation of a bilingual training materials and the launch of a third all-Spanish certificate at CCT in Biblical Studies, complementing the two existing Spanish certificates in Community Transformation and Children’s Ministry.
CCT received $190,000 in grant funding last year.
“These funds allow us to deepen our commitment to the Valley’s rural communities,” Huerta said. “We’re equipping business owners with tools, training and collaborative support.”
The CCT also received a five-year, $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. awarded in early December 2025.
This funding extends CCT’s original 2020 grant Lilly and expands its LaunchPad program to six new cities around the country in partnership with Leadership Foundations.
The funding will help establish the creation of a bilingual training materials and the launch of a third all-Spanish certificate at CCT in Biblical Studies, complementing the two existing Spanish certificates in Community Transformation and Children’s Ministry.