Minority-owned small businesses in Loudoun County have until January 19, 2021 to apply for a new grant program from the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. A total of $75,000 is available in funds through the Minority Owned Small Business Grant Program, funded by Google and Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States.
The Community Foundation invites minority owned small businesses to apply to receive grants of $5,000 to $10,000. Organizations eligible to apply will demonstrate 51% ownership identifying as African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, or Native American and residents of Loudoun County. Eligible businesses also must demonstrate that they are located in Loudoun County with annual net revenues less than $250,000, or less than $500,000 for businesses with three or more full-time employees.
The Loudoun Chamber of Commerce’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will partner with the Community Foundation to serve as an application review committee. Businesses hit hardest by COVID-19 will be prioritized for funding.
“Small businesses provide social and economic benefits to communities which strengthens the health of the people in those communities, especially in communities that experience inequities and injustice,” said Ruth Williams-Brinkley, region president, Kaiser Permanente. “We’re proud to partner with Google and support the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties because the health of small businesses is essential to creating living-wage jobs and career opportunities for many people, especially those who have been hard-hit by the pandemic.”
Funds are expected to be distributed no later than February 1, 2021. Eligible businesses can click here to apply. The Community Foundation is also providing online pre-application workshops; interested parties may register to attend on January 5 at 9 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. The latter session will include access to Spanish-language interpretation.
