Beyond Open is a small business grant program led by Foundation For The Carolinas and made possible by support from Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund.
Beyond Open grants will help diverse (minority, woman, veteran, LGBTQ) small business owners grow businesses, build wealth, and expand economic mobility in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
Create direct benefit and model end outcomes through hiring and contracting of diverse small businesses as consultants, vendors and suppliers throughout the program timeline.
Change the narrative about business ownership, access to capital and pathways to wealth creation.
Build wealth among diverse, small business owners through access to capital and investments in assets such as storefronts, equipment and technology without adding debt.
Eligibility
1 - Albemarle Road/Central Avenue
2 - Beatties Ford/Rozzelle’s Ferry
3 - Freedom Drive/Wilkinson Blvd.
4 - Graham/North Tryon St. - Sugar Creek Rd/I-85 - West Boulevard
5
Priority will be given to businesses located in, close to, or with substantial business activity centered around one of the six Corridors of Opportunity.
All eligible businesses in Mecklenburg County are encouraged to apply.
Corridors
3 2 5 6 4 1
6
• Large inventory purchases.
• Cell phones and other communications equipment.
• Purchase of a warehouse, other property, or substantial leasehold improvements.
• Re-paving of large lots or other significant capital investments.
• Build-out of an e-commerce website.
• Hand tools or small appliances.
• Specialty, industrial equipment or safety, security and surveillance equipment.
• Small office furnishings, display or equipment.showroom
• Shift to renewable energy source via equipment or technology investments.
• New vehicles (car, truck, van, food service, delivery) or vehicle upfits.
• Store, shop, office space or building.
• Store front beautification/signage.
• Computers, printers and other small office equipment.
• Retail site improvements, HVAC equipment, windows, roofing.
• Store fixtures (display racks, built-in seating and counters, lighting).
• Acquire equipment,technology,leading-edgepurchasemajorreplacevehiclefleet.
amountsGrant
• Minor store or space renovations or improvements.
GrantsandUses
Documents
Community infrastructure.businesshelpformaximizetotechnicalactive(CPO’s)OrganizationsPartnerwillprovidesupportandassistanceapplicantstopotentialgrantawardandbolstersmall
Support
timeline2022
AdvisoryCouncil
Direct mail Website mediaSocial Door-to-door Paid media Earnedmedia WebinarsCommunityeventsMeet people where they are Multiple languages Variety of Partnershipstactics Outreach
Website • Multiple, diverse images • Multiple Vietnamese)(English,languagesSpanish, beyondopenclt.com
Events
• Outreach toolkits provided to community partners organizations.and
• Multiple Vietnamese)(English,languagesSpanish,
• Downloadable from website
Flyers
• Multiple, diverse images
• Print and digital
Posters Banners&
• Print and digital
• Downloadable from website
• Multiple, diverse images
• Outreach toolkits provided to community partners organizations.and
• Multiple Vietnamese)(English,languagesSpanish,
Direct&cardsPalm mail 6” x 11”
Social media
Q&A