At Your Side Small Business Grant Program

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Each year Main Street America rolls out a number of grants available to communities throughout the United States. Many times, they team up with the philanthropic arm of major corporations to offer financial assistance through grants that can make a difference. The T-Mobile Hometown Grants are one such example of how they team up with corporations to get funding to the communities that need it.

At Your Side

Once again, Main Street America is teaming up with a corporate partner. This time with Brother International to help small businesses in need. The “At Your Side” Small Business Grant Program will provide a total of $75,000 to Main Street small businesses in need. The program is aimed at helping small businesses in designated Main Street districts. According to the Main Street America website, grant funds can be utilized for:

  • Physical improvements to business space to meet relevant reopening requirements implemented because of COVID-19
  • Equipment to comply with public health and safety guidelines (i.e., touchless payment methods, automatic door open sensors, or disposable menus)
  • Fees associated with expanding the business to e-commerce sales
  • Other professional services, such as business plan modifications
  • Rent, payroll, and other operating expenses

Eligible small businesses can apply for grant amounts between $5,000 and $10,000 to help fund any of the eligible efforts outlined above.

Who’s Eligible?

“Bricks and mortar” small businesses in designated Main Street districts will be able to apply. The website does clarify the eligibility criteria further as:

  • The applicant must be located in an Accredited or Affiliate Main Street America community or UrbanMain commercial corridor. This list is available here.
  • The applicant’s business must be a business entity in good standing in the state in which it was formed and the state in which it does business.
  • The applicant’s business must operate a “brick and mortar” storefront since at least January 1, 2020.
  • The applicant’s business must employ less than 20 full-time employees.
  • The applicant must be an owner of the business.
  • The applicant must be at least age 18 years or older.
  • The applicant’s business must be a for-profit business. 501(c)(3) entities and 501(c)(6) entities are not eligible for a Program grant.

Past Winners

Check out this list of previous winners to see what small Main Street businesses have benefitted from the grants in the past.