This year has not been easy for anyone … and we’re not exactly sure what the future will look like. Disruption is everywhere.

But, disruption exposes holes in existing systems and opens up possibilities for enterprising and innovative creatives. To help push creative companies, small businesses and individuals forward, there are three open funds in the Queen City you should know about.

Small Business Innovation Fund

Fund Size: $2,350,000 (currently)
Funded by: Honeywell, Duke Energy  & Bank of America
Administered by: Foundation for the Carolinas

On Friday, June 26, Charlotte Center City Partners officially opened a new fund made possible by a $2 million investment from Honeywell. After the initial announcement of the fund, Bank of America and Duke Energy donated an additional $350,000.

This is a forward-facing fund, fueling equipment, products and services initiated after the onset of COVID-19. It exists to help applicants build for future business.

Applicants selected may receive up to $40,000 to be used on projects ranging from upfitting existing space and investing in new training and equipment to altering product and packaging, offering new products and services and more.

To qualify, a small business must:

• • Have an existing physical location or is expanding its business in Uptown, South End, Midtown, Historic West End, or within the 2-mile radius of the Trade and Tryon Street intersection in Charlotte
  • The business headquarters is located within the Charlotte region
  • The business had 50 employees (full and part-time) or fewer as of March 1, 2020
  • The business experienced adverse impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The business is willing to participate in interviews to document and share their lessons learned

Read more and apply here.
Address questions to innovationfund@charlottecentercity.org

Access to Capital Small Business Recovery Program

Fund Size: $30 Million
Funded by: Federal CARES Act
Administered by: City of Charlotte & Foundation for the Carolinas

Part of the City’s Open for Business Initiative, the Access of Captial Small Business Recovery Program, will distribute $30 million in CARES Act funding received from the federal government through Foundation for the Carolinas to local small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to act swiftly and fund struggling businesses in an equitable fashion, fund managers are randomly selecting applications for review every day, rather than in the order they were received. It is a stated goal of this fund to ensure that “all areas of Charlotte are represented.” Those selected may receive grants of either $10,000 or $25,000, depending on number of employees.

Charlotte City Council member, Dimple Ajmera, says of this fund, “This program is a much-needed lifeline for a Charlotte creative industry that has been hit hard by this epidemic and may not qualify for other state and federal grants. The opportunity to recover up to $25,000 gives a fighting chance for our creative community to survive and thrive, and continue providing our city with the imagination, vision and inspiration that is so important for all of us.”

Funds are to be used for:

• Business rent/mortgage
• Business utilities
• Employee salaries/benefits
• Supplies/restocking

Read more and apply here.
Address questions to CLTCityGrant@fftc.org

Emerging Cities Champion Fellowship

Fund Size: $30 Million
Funded & Administered by: Knight Foundation
DEADLINE: Sunday, July 12, 2020

Focused on Gen Z and Millennial innovators (aged 19-35), the Knight Foundation and 8 80 Cities have opened up applications for the annual Emerging Cities Champion Fellowship. Charlotte has a strong history with this grant program. Among previous winners are Kia Moore, Varian Shrum, Omar Crenshaw and Lyn Kim.

This program provides $5,000 grants for emerging creatives who have shown a commitment to their communities and would benefit from increased training, support and wider networks to advance their ideas and initiatives.

This fellowship is open to eligible individuals in the 26 communities where Knight invests. In addition:

• Projects must take place in or benefit one of the 26 communities where Knight invests.
• Ideas must be carried out within a year and with a $5,000 budget.
• Projects must address public space, mobility or civic engagement.

To help answer questions for Charlotte applicants, Christine Edwards, a former fellow of this program, will play host to an information session on July 2 and July 7. Register for these sessions below.

• Thursday, July 2, 12 – 1 p.m. ET (Register here)
• Tuesday, July 7, 5 – 6 p.m. ET (Register here)

Read more and apply here.
Address questions to svijenthira@880cities.org