Kroger supports Black-owned businesses in his home state of Ohio through its Changemaker grant program. Their funding directly supports organizations that provide essential services to entrepreneurs in the state. And at least one of the organizations is launching its own grant program to directly fund various businesses in the Cincinnati area. Read more below about these small business grant programs and more opportunities throughout Ohio and the nation.
Kroger .’s Racial Equity Fund Changemaker Grant
Kroger funds a range of grant programs and organizations aimed at supporting black-owned businesses in Ohio. The company’s Racial Equity Fund provides support through the Changemaker Grant Program. This funding round includes grants to The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and FundNOIRE. Each of these programs then provides funding, education, and opportunities to black entrepreneurs across the state.
Fund Noire
FundNoire is one of several Ohio programs supported by Kroger’s latest round of funding. This program includes a $1.5 million fund for small black business owners in the Cincinnati area. Founded by local entrepreneur Rico Grant, the organization is expected to support dozens of startups and start-ups across the area.
More grants for small businesses in Ohio and in the US
Columbus Recovery Grant
The Columbus-Franklin County Small Business Recovery Fund supports small businesses affected by the pandemic. The program provides $8 million targeting minority-owned, women, and veteran-owned businesses. Funds can be used to maintain safe working conditions, hire new employees or take advantage of new growth opportunities. The self-employed can apply for a $5,000 grant, employers can apply for a $10,000 grant, and those who have lost employees can apply for even more funding to re-engage. The current round is closed. But the program will accept future applications between April 11 and 25.
Greensville County COVID-19 ARPA Grant
Greensville County, Virginia allocates $50,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to a small business grant program. County corporations with 25 or fewer employees and no affiliation with national brands can apply. Grants are intended to cover expenses or lost income related to the pandemic, excluding payroll. The amount of each grant is determined by need and number of employees, up to $7,500. Applications will be accepted until funds run out.
Beverly ARPA Small Business Grants
Beverly, Massachusetts recently extended the deadline for the small business grant program. The city expects to allocate at least $1 million of its $12.6 American Rescue Plan Act funds to the program. And companies can apply for grants of up to $50,000. The program specifically targets sectors hard hit during the pandemic, including hospitality, tourism, arts, entertainment, recreation, retail and childcare. The new deadline to apply is March 16 at 5:00 PM
Emergency Grants for Small Businesses in Nebraska
Nebraska lawmakers approved a measure that would provide emergency subsidies for small businesses statewide. Inspired by grants for COVID recovery, the program would support companies affected by natural disasters, pandemics or an emergency beyond their control. This was a preliminary vote. So no details about the program are available yet. And the program won’t be officially funded until next year. However, the initial measure included $20 million for the program. So that’s probably what corporate groups in the state are pushing for.
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More in: Small Business GrantsThis post Kroger Supports Black Businesses in Ohio, Plus More Small Business Grants was original published at “https://smallbiztrends.com/2022/03/kroger-black-owned-small-business-grant-ohio.html”
