The purposes of the program are:

1. To make surveys of business conditions on a community basis and to provide for a wide dissemination of the findings through printed reports, forums and lectures.

2. To cooperate with the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Small Business in the promotion of its program to aid small businesses.
3. To cooperate with Junior Achievement through promoting and assisting in the establishment of branches of Junior Achievement.
4. To sponsor annually an essay contest, among high school, dealing with some phase of business. Prizes are given to the winning contestants.
5. To grant scholarships to aid promising students in the field of business.
6. To encourage minority businessmen to rely upon the efficiency of service as a basis of patronage rather than race.
7. To encourage consumers to patronize businesses that offer comparable services to those of other groups.
8. To seek to widen the field of employment for minorities by securing employment in new fields. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity believes that the improvement of economic conditions of minorities is a major factor in the improvement of the general welfare of society. It is upon this conviction that the Bigger and Better Business Program rests.

Project SEED
The Sigma Economic Empowerment Development Project (Project SEED) is a Bigger & Better Business program developed to focus on two important topics of interest: Financial Management and Home Ownership.

For college students today, financial management is a vital and necessary skill to be mastered with the rising cost in education, coupled with the decreasing funding sources. Financial management is no longer optional, it is required. Helping more low and moderate-income Americans become homeowners is a national priority. Phi Beta Sigma seeks to play a more important role in sharing positive information about the advantages of homeownership to our members.

IRS Partnership
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) With so many tax benefits available today, taxes can serve as the starting point leading to greater prosperity for many people. In 2000, the IRS changed its approach to meeting individual taxpayers’ needs for tax education, awareness and assistance by establishing an office called SPEC (Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication). In 2008 IRS-SPEC cultivated a partnership with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and shared mutual goals in three key areas:
• Promoting tax understanding and awareness
• Preparing tax returns for free for low-to-moderate income people
• Encouraging personal asset building and self-sufficiency through tax incentives

Mission Statement: To assist taxpayers in satisfying their tax responsibilities through collaborative efforts with IRSSPEC and thus creating and sharing value by informing, educating and communicating with members of the community.

Billboard Jackson Entrepreneurial Development Grant Program
The Billboard Jackson Entrepreneurial Development program is designed to invest in members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. who wish to start a business. Through the program, Phi Beta Sigma will provide start-up capital to fraternity members who present outstanding business plans at its biannual International Conclave meeting. An expert panel of businessmen will objectively evaluate each presentation according to a rubric system. The fraternity will recognize the outstanding businesses with investment capital to assist in their start-up venture.

Chapter Initiatives
Theta Tau Sigma believes in supporting the Bigger and Better Business program through multiple avenues. One most recent effort is showcasing a Black owned business every Thursday on our social media platforms. Be sure to follow the hashtag #BlackBusinessThursday and support the businesses that are advertised there. Also be on the lookout for events surrounding financial literacy and home ownership on our calendar.

Resources
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity – Bigger and Better Business International Program

Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union

Jopwell Career Advancement Program

VITA

MyFreeTaxes

Billboard Jackson Entrepreneurial Development Grant Program