Beyond Open Overview presentation 9-22-22

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.

Build wealth among diverse, small business owners through access to capital and investments in assets such as storefronts, equipment and technology without adding debt.

Change the narrative about business ownership, access to capital and pathways to wealth creation.

Create direct benefit and model end outcomes through hiring and contracting of diverse small businesses as consultants, vendors and suppliers throughout the program timeline.

Eligibility

Corridors

All eligible businesses in Mecklenburg County are encouraged to apply.

Priority will be given to businesses located in, close to, or with substantial business activity centered around one of the six Corridors of Opportunity.

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

amountsGrant

• Computers, printers and other small office equipment.

• Cell phones and other communications equipment.

• Small office furnishings, display or equipment.showroom

• Hand tools or small appliances.

• Minor store or space renovations or improvements.

• Build-out of an e-commerce website.

• Large inventory purchases.

• Store, shop, office space or building.

• Store front beautification/signage.

• Store fixtures (display racks, built-in seating and counters, lighting).

• Retail site improvements, HVAC equipment, windows, roofing.

• New vehicles (car, truck, van, food service, delivery) or vehicle upfits.

• Specialty, industrial equipment or safety, security and surveillance equipment.

• Purchase of a warehouse, other property, or substantial leasehold improvements.

• Acquire equipment,technology,leading-edgepurchasemajorreplacevehiclefleet.

• Shift to renewable energy source via equipment or technology investments.

• Re-paving of large lots or other significant capital investments.

GrantsandUses

Documents

* Don’t have these documents or need help to pull them together? See Support at beyondopenclt.com.

Support

AdvisoryCouncil

Events

FAQ’s

S ee FAQ’s at beyondopenclt.com

• I have never applied for a small business grant or loan before and I am not sure I have everything I need to apply right now. Can someone help me? Yes.

• If my business is within Charlotte-Mecklenburg, but not within one of the six Corridors of Opportunity, is it worth my time and effort to apply? Yes.

• Can I apply for more than one Beyond Open grant within each round? No.

• If I am not awarded a Beyond Open grant in Round 1, can I apply in Round 2? Yes.

• What are the steps in the review and decision process? A diverse Review Team of individuals from the community with backgrounds in finance, small business, community investment and advocacy will review applications, confirm eligibility, and score each application. Final decisions are made by Foundation For The Carolinas.

• Is Beyond Open a “first come, first served” grant program or are decisions made on all applications after the close of the application deadline for Round 1 on October 28? Not first come, first served. Final decisions are made after close of deadline.

Flyers

• Multiple, diverse images

• Multiple Vietnamese)(English,languagesSpanish,

• Print and digital

• Downloadable from website

• Outreach toolkits provided to community partners organizations.and

Posters Banners&

• Multiple, diverse images

• Multiple Vietnamese)(English,languagesSpanish,

• Print and digital

• Downloadable from website

• Outreach toolkits provided to community partners organizations.and

Social media