Description:

Attention: The online application system will be unavailable on Saturday, October 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. due to scheduled maintenance. Please be sure to save any progress on your application prior to Saturday at 11 a.m. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Thank you for your interest in the Open for Business Access to Capital program. Through the small business recovery program, the City will distribute $30 million in federal CARES Act funding to small businesses headquartered within the city limits of Charlotte.

With the goal to get money in the hands of struggling businesses as quickly and equitably as possible, applications will be reviewed using a lottery approach – rather than a first-come, first-served basis.

Note: The application deadline has been extended to 5:00 p.m. on August 30, 2020.
If you already submitted an application, you do not have to re-apply.
If you started an application but have not yet submitted, you have the opportunity to complete it by the new deadline.

The program is a part of the City’s Open for Business Initiative and will distribute grants of either $10,000 or $25,000, depending on number of employees.

Foundation For The Carolinas serves as the City’s grantmaking partner for this effort.

Eligibility:

Businesses must be headquartered within Charlotte city limits.
Businesses must have 25 or fewer employees.
Businesses must have gross sales of at least $30,000 and less than $2 million in 2019 (Jan-Dec).
Businesses must have started before Jan 1, 2020.
Businesses must have been impacted by COVID-19.
Non-profit organizations, liquor stores, check cashing agencies, gun shops, pawn shops or adult entertainment are not eligible to apply.
Applicants can not be presently involved in a bankruptcy proceeding.

It is anticipated that the number of applicants will exceed the available funding. Applicants are not guaranteed to receive a grant.

Applications will be selected randomly by geography from the applicant pool to ensure dollars are distributed to businesses throughout the city and applicants applying throughout the application period are given opportunity for an award. Random selections will be made daily and any applicant reviewed that meets the program criteria will receive an award.

Begin Accepting Applications Date:

6/22/2020

Deadline Date (EST Time Zone) :

8/30/2020 5:00 PM