Beyond Open

Beyond Open is sponsored by Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC) made possible through support from Wells Fargo's Open for Business Fund. Beyond Open is a small business grant program for diverse small business owners in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina. It supports investments in capital assets such as equipment, technology, inventory, and real estate.

Beyond Open is a $20 million small business grant program administered by Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC) and made possible through support from Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund. The Beyond Open grant program will help diverse, small business owners in Charlotte-Mecklenburg build wealth by investing in capital assets such as equipment, technology, inventory and real estate.

Beyond Open grants across three categories of support from $5k - $250k+ will enable small businesses from start-ups to established businesses invest in capital assets for a range of needs. Beyond Open grants do not need to be repaid. Beyond Open is a $20 million small business grant program administered by Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC) and made possible through support from Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund.

The Beyond Open grant program will help diverse, small business owners in Charlotte-Mecklenburg build wealth by investing in capital assets such as equipment, technology, inventory and real estate. Beyond Open grants across three categories of support from $5k - $250k+ will enable small businesses from start-ups to established businesses invest in capital assets for a range of needs. Beyond Open grants do not need to be repaid.

## Result and Investment Areas: **Grant Levels and Uses** Beyond Open grants are intended to help small businesses obtain capital assets such as equipment, technology, real estate (own or lease), and inventory – examples of capital assets eligible for Beyond Open grants are below. **Operating expenses including payroll, utilities, advertising/marketing, consulting, debt re-payment****are not eligible****for Beyond Open grants.

****Build for Success grants ($5k - $20k)** Build for Success grants will typically help start-ups and emerging small businesses meet needs for smaller capital assets that could make a big difference. Examples of capital assets that could be funded by Build for Success grants include: ·computers, printers and other small office equipment. ·cell phones and other communications equipment.

·small office furnishings, display or showroom equipment. ·hand tools or small appliances. ·minor renovations or improvements.

·build-out of an e-commerce website or other digital platform. **Grow for Prosperity grants ($20**k+**- $100k)** Grow for Prosperity grants might be the best fit for companies that have established a foothold, have achieved a level of stability, and are ready to expand. A typical Grow for Prosperity grant might be used to acquire assets that include: ·large inventory purchases.

·store, shop, office space or building. ·store front beautification or new signage. ·store fixtures (display racks, built-in seating and counters, lighting).

·parking lot resurfacing. ·retail site improvements, HVAC equipment, windows, roofing replacement. ·new vehicles (car, truck, van, food service, delivery) or vehicle upfits.

·Specialty, industrial equipment or safety, security and surveillance equipment. **Make Bold Moves grants ($100k+****- $250k+)** Make Bold Moves grants could be the best fit for long-term businesses that seek to transform their future through acquisition of substantial capital assets. A typical Make Bold Moves grant might be used to: ·purchase a warehouse, other property, or substantial leasehold improvements.

·acquire leading-edge technology, purchase major equipment, replace vehicle fleet. ·shift to renewable energy source via equipment or technology investments. ·other significant capital investments.

* Diverse (minority, woman, veteran, LGBTQ) business owners across Charlotte-Mecklenburg are eligible to apply for Beyond Open small business grants.

* Special encouragement and priority will be given to businesses located in, close to, or with substantial business activity centered around, one of the six Corridors of Opportunity: * Corridor 1 - Albemarle Road/Central Avenue * Corridor 2 - Beatties Ford/Rozzelles Ferry * Corridor 3 - Freedom Drive/Wilkinson Blvd. * Corridor 4 - Graham/North Tryon St.

* Corridor 5 - Sugar Creek Rd/I-85 * Corridor 6 - West Boulevard * Small businesses from 1 employee (with owner counting as an employee) up to 499 employees are eligible and encouraged to apply. * If a franchise, must be an independent franchisor and locally owned.

What We Are Looking For In Your Application Beyond Open grants will be awarded to small businesses that show potential for growth, a clear connection between the capital asset you seek funds to obtain and HOW this asset will make a difference in the life of your small business.

Numbers tell a part of the story, but we will also consider any and all information you wish to share that can help us understand the problems you face, opportunities before you, and goals for the future that a Beyond Open grant can help you solve and achieve.

If you feel that any information requested does not tell the whole story, use the comments sections to offer additional information you want to share to provide a complete picture. If you are unfamiliar with documents requested, do not have some documentation or financial information requested, let us know - we are here to help you. The chart above details the documents that will be required for each of the Beyond Open grant.

If a document is not required but is readily available, we encourage you to share it with us to help us make the most informed decision. We understand that applying for a Beyond Open grant may be a first-time experience for some small business owners and that some of these documents or information may be unfamiliar to you or that you may not have them.

Do not let these concerns keep you from applying, as our**Beyond Open Community Partner Organizations** are here to help you! Reach out to any of the organizations below for guidance and support to build your Beyond Open grant application. For general questions about the Beyond Open grant program, contact us at:info@beyondopenclt.

com **ASPIRE Community Capital** is committed to radically transforming lives through wealth creation and upward mobility and helps entrepreneurs in under-resourced neighborhoods start and grow success small businesses in the Greater Charlotte area. e-mail: application@aspirecommunitycapital. org e-mail: Ron.

fisher@aspirecommunitycapital. org **The Institute's Women’s Business Center of Charlotte (WBCC)** empowers women-owned businesses to start and grow by offering tools and support to establish their businesses, generate sustainable profits, and strategize for future growth. call: 704-509-5884 English call: 704-571-1377 Spanish e-mail: Wbc-Charlotte@theinstitutenc.

org **Prospera** is an economic development, nonprofit organization specialized in providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand their business in the Charlotte area. e-mail: alanzas@prosperausa. org e-mail: dgutierrez@prosperausa.

org ## Application Process and Award Timeline: Applications are due at 5:00 PM on October 28, 2022. No applications will be accepted after that time. Each application will be reviewed and scored based on the following criteria: * Complete application - meets eligibility requirements and required documents provided * Overall impact of the capital asset in helping the business meet goals.

* Clear connection between the capital asset that will be acquired with a Beyond Open grant and HOW the capital asset will help solve a business problem, fulfill a business need, or make the most of a business opportunity. * Current vitality of the business and potential for growth. * Additional information that may be requested, evaluated and considered.

Note: For larger grants in the Grow for Prosperity and Make Bold Moves categories, additional financial information may be requested. Application outcomes will be communicated by email in mid-to-late November. Grantees will receive approved funds by For general questions about this application, please contact us at info@beyondopenclt.

com