Business Attraction Prime Sites Grant

Binc helps bookstore owners, booksellers, and comic store employees and owners with unforeseen emergency financial needs. The Foundation assesses each request to determine how best to provide relief. If approved, grants are typically paid to third-party vendors.

The Mecklenburg County Business Investment Grant provides qualifying companies relocating to or expanding within Mecklenburg County, North Carolina with a partial refund of the new ad valorem property taxes generated by their project. Administered by the Mecklenburg County Office of Economic Development (OED) in collaboration with the City of Charlotte's Business Recruitment and Expansion team and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the program is designed to attract significant new investment and job creation to the county. To qualify, a company must commit to bringing at least 20 new jobs and a minimum of $3 million in capital investment to Mecklenburg County. Grant terms — including the percentage of taxes refunded (typically 50% to 90%) and the length of the reimbursement period (generally three to seven years, with existing local companies eligible for extended terms) — are determined based on the number of jobs created, the size of the capital investment, average annual wages, the project's geographic location within the county, and whether the company falls within one of the area's identified target industries. The grant is structured as a reimbursement, meaning the company first pays its full property tax bill and is then refunded a portion of the incremental taxes generated by the new investment.

The Catalyst Building Resiliency Micro-Grant provides early-stage entrepreneurs in Western North Carolina facing economic barriers with $1,000 micro-grants to support the next stage of their business growth. Grants start at $1,000, with additional funding possible for applicants with especially compelling needs or plans. Administered by Mountain BizWorks, a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) that supports small businesses across Western North Carolina, the program is part of the organization's broader Catalyst Fund initiative, which is dedicated to expanding access to funding and leveling the playing field for under-resourced entrepreneurs. To qualify, applicants must meet criteria across two required areas. The Early-Stage Business criterion requires the business to have either been generating revenue for less than 5 years or have annual gross revenue under $150,000 (only one of these must apply). The Economic Need criterion requires the owner's household income to be below 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI), the owner's household net worth to be under $100,000 (excluding primary residence), or the business to be located in a census tract with a poverty rate of 20 percent or higher (only one of these must apply). Additional caps apply in all cases: owner household income must be below 2x AMI, and household net worth must be under $250,000. The business must be an independently owned, for-profit entity located and operating in Western North Carolina, and applicants must be at least 18 years old. Nonprofit organizations are not eligible, and each applicant may apply for one business only. Grant funds may be used for qualified business expenses only, including marketing and advertising, business equipment or supplies, technology and software, business systems and operational improvements, and professional services or coaching support. Grants are awarded at the sole discretion of the Selection Committee based on the strength of the application and any other factors the committee deems relevant, and submitting an application does not guarantee an award. Recipients are required to submit a brief report 12 months after receiving funds describing the financial condition of the business, how the grant was used, and the number of people impacted, and grantee business names and grant amounts are publicly announced. Grants do not need to be repaid but are taxable, and applications do not roll over between funding rounds.

Underrepresented communities continue to fuel entrepreneurship nationwide, with historically excluded founders driving innovation and economic growth. Despite this momentum, systemic barriers still prevent many from accessing the funding they need to scale. That is why we are excited to announce the return of the Dream Makers Founder Grant in 2025! This $1 million grant fund, established by Nancy Twine, is dedicated to supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs and elevating the talents and innovations of historically excluded founders. As part of this multi-year commitment, the Pledge will award $125,000 annually, distributing five $25,000 grants each year to outstanding business owners.

The Charlotte Business Matching Grants program provides commercial property owners and businesses in Charlotte with matching reimbursement grants of up to $90,000 to improve building appearance, enhance safety, and upgrade interior spaces. Administered by the City of Charlotte's Economic Development Department, the program is offered through three grant pathways covering exterior renovations, interior upgrades, and security improvements. Across all three tracks, the city reimburses 50% of eligible project costs up to the maximum grant award, with reimbursement issued after project completion, inspection, and submission of paid receipts. Eligible applicants include owners or tenants of for-profit commercial buildings located within the eligible geography, as well as national or regional chains headquartered in the Charlotte MSA. Vacant buildings may also qualify if the project is intended to attract eligible tenants. The Façade Improvement Grant provides up to $90,000 for commercial property owners and tenants renovating building exteriors and bringing signs, landscaping, and parking into compliance with city code. Eligible improvements include approved architectural façade renovations, signage and parking upgrades, landscaping, and infrastructure improvements in the public right-of-way, with an additional reimbursement of up to $3,000 available for architectural fees. The Interior Upfit Improvement Grant provides up to $30,000 to support renovations that enhance the functionality and code compliance of interior commercial spaces. Eligible improvements include HVAC, fire suppression, plumbing, and electrical systems; flooring, lighting, and wall reconfiguration; and interior restrooms and utility upgrades. The Security Improvement Grant provides up to $5,000 for a single business or up to $20,000 for shopping centers with three or more tenants to fund physical security upgrades. Eligible improvements include security lighting, cameras, fencing, locking devices, security windows, alarm systems, ironwork, and trees and shrubbery.