Westminster Business Grants

The Envision Enterprise Grant provides Greater Charlottesville small businesses with $10,000 grants to support growth and expansion. Administered by the United Way of Greater Charlottesville in partnership with the City of Charlottesville Office of Economic Development and the Albemarle County Office of Economic Development, the program is intended for small, financially stable, for-profit businesses owned by socially disadvantaged individuals in the City of Charlottesville or Albemarle County. Funds may be used for a range of growth-related expenses, including hiring additional employees, ordering supplies and inventory, and investing in marketing. To be eligible, businesses must be located and licensed in the City of Charlottesville or Albemarle County, have been in operation for at least two consecutive years, have no more than 25 employees, generate net income of less than $200,000, and serve as the sole source of employment income for an owner who works for the business full-time. Current and former United Way of Greater Charlottesville grant recipients or Prosper program participants that received funding within the past calendar year are not eligible.

WomensNet founded the Amber Grant in 1998. The grant was set up with one goal in mind: to honor the memory of a very special young woman, Amber Wigdahl, who died at just 19 years old before realizing her business dreams. Today, WomensNet carries on that tradition, proudly giving away at least $30,000 every month in Amber Grant money.

The Theories, Models and Methods (TMM) initiative will support the development of computational tools for understanding dynamic brain circuits that are made broadly accessible to the greater research community. This program supports applications focused on tool building and dissemination in the domain of theories about neural circuit mechanisms, models of circuit structure and function, and/or computational methods of analysis spanning across scales from neurons to behavior. The development of novel theories, computational models and methods for understanding brain function will help characterize fundamental principles of brain function and organization, characterize cellular and circuit-level neural computations over time in different regions, and understand how interactions of multiple brain circuits enable flexible behaviors and contribute to brain-wide neural dynamics. These tools will be critical for developing treatments such as closed loop systems for brain disorders including Parkinsons disease and major depressive disorder.

The West Chester Spark Small Business Revitalization Grant provides small businesses in West Chester Township, Ohio with reimbursement grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to fund aesthetic exterior improvements that beautify the "front door" of their business. Administered by the West Chester Township Board of Trustees through the Economic Development Manager, the program is designed to drive revitalization in the township's neighborhoods and business corridors by helping business owners invest in improvements that enhance the appearance of their properties. Eligible projects include exterior painting or lighting, outdoor gathering spaces (patios, seating, courtyards), hardscaping, landscaping, signage upgrades or replacements, awnings, and demolition of existing structures. Projects that have already been permitted, completed, or are underway are not eligible. To qualify, applicants must be a locally owned private business (no nonprofits or private residences), be located in West Chester Township, be either the property owner or a tenant (with written approval from the property owner), be in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, and have 20 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees. Businesses are limited to one Spark Grant per calendar year and no more than four Spark Grants over the lifetime of the business, with the award amount reduced by 25 percent for each consecutive-year renewal. Grant amounts are determined by the strength of each application, with scoring based on the quality of the design proposal, project location, job creation and impact, the positive impact of the project on the surrounding neighborhood, and the amount of private contribution the applicant will leverage beyond the requested funds. Grants are distributed as reimbursements via ACH after project completion, and are considered taxable income for the recipient.

The Wareham Redevelopment Authority has created the Storefront Renovation Grant Program to support improvements to commercial properties and businesses. The program aims to encourage investment within businesses and improve the appearance and safety of major areas within town. The Storefront Renovation Grant program offers grants of up to $7,500 for upgrades such as signage, landscaping, lighting, painting and exterior repairs. Businesses will contribute 20% of project costs.