Start.Pivot.Grow. Micro Grant

DHCD provides funding to highly qualified community-based non-profit organizations to develop storefront façade improvement projects in low/moderate income retail/commercial areas in the District of Columbia. Typically, a project is comprised of between ten and twenty-five, preferably concentrated within a few blocks, storefronts selected by the participating non-profit. Qualified business and/or commercial property owners within the targeted area receive matching grants for general repairs/maintenance and for the installation of doors, windows, signs, storefront systems, awnings, and lighting. The non-profit organization provides the business and/or property owners with professional design and construction services throughout the storefront renovation.

The Texas Enterprise Fund awards “deal-closing” grants to companies considering a new project for which one Texas site is competing with other out-of-state sites. The fund serves as a performance-based financial incentive for those companies whose projects would contribute significant capital investment and new employment opportunities to the state’s economy. Eligible applicants include all companies planning a new project including a facility opening or expansion, with significant projected job creation and capital investment, where a single site in Texas is actively competing with at least one viable out-of-state option.

Exhibiting at a wholesale domestic trade show can boost your sales, help make key business connections, and diversify your market. The Montana Trade Show Assistance Program grant can help fund your next domestic trade show exhibition through 50% reimbursement of your cost associated with the show, plus travel stipend.

Business Training Grants support Wyoming businesses seeking to enhance employee skills or address a specific skill deficiency required for their current job. Grant funds must not replace existing funds already earmarked for training purposes, and the skills to be acquired must better position the business to remain competitive in its industry marketplace. Funding limits are as follows: $2,000 per trainee, $3,000 per trainee for select industries, $75,000 per business, with all totals being per fiscal year.

The HBCU Founders Accelerator is a customized 16-week intensive program, primarily conducted virtually. It commences with goal-setting discussions, the development of a work plan, and the identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress. Throughout the program, each portfolio company is provided with dedicated executive-level support from paid advisors. With a cohort size of 8-10 startups, our accelerator seeks to create a collaborative environment to foster entrepreneurial success. We make an initial investment of $120,000 in each selected startup to help support their growth.