Capital Readiness Program is a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) designed to close the entrepreneurship gap for socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI). The program funded qualified organizations with expertise to provide technical assistance to entrepreneurs starting or scaling businesses who are seeking various forms of capital, including equity, debt, and grants.

At the close of fiscal year 2025, there were 28 active Capital Readiness awards. The program is no longer accepting new applications, but existing projects remain active. Eligible grantee organizations were those with proven capacity to serve minority and underserved entrepreneurs in accessing business capital.

The program was fully funded in FY23.

The Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) Capital Readiness Program (Program) was designed to help close the entrepreneurship gap between socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI) and non-SEDI. This program funded qualified organizations that had the expertise to provide technical assistance for entrepreneurs starting or scaling their businesses who was seeking various forms of capital.

The Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) Capital Readiness Program (Program) was designed to help close the entrepreneurship gap between socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI) and non-SEDI. This program funds qualified organizations that have the expertise to provide technical assistance for entrepreneurs starting or scaling their businesses who are seeking various forms of capital.

This program is no longer making new awards, but existing projects are still active. BUSINESS AND COMMERCE - BS Minority Business Enterprise BUSINESS AND COMMERCE - BK Small Business BUSINESS AND COMMERCE - BL Economic Development § 3009(e)(2) of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, as amended by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) (codified at 12 U.S.C. § 5708(e)(2).

, Title Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, Section 3009(e)(2) _These funding amounts do not reflect the award amounts that are displayed on USASpending. gov_ **This listing is funded for the current fiscal year. ** Program fully funded in FY23.

No current obligations available. **Fiscal Year 2025:** At the close of FY25, there were 28 active Capital Readiness Awards. The application was submitted through grants.

gov during an open competition period. Information to apply was announced via grants. gov and the agency's website.

2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. Previously identified and authorized applicant types are no longer a viable option within SAM. gov. See description below for additional details.

Eligible applicants are limited to: • Non-profit organizations, • Institutions of higher education, and • Private sector entities (defined as entities that are not public sector entities).

This includes, for example, for-profit entities of any type, including sole-proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations, but does not include public sector entities, such as Federal, State, Local, or Tribal Governments, agencies, or any of their instrumentalities, • A consortium of two or more of any of the above-mentioned eligible applicants.

In a consortium application, there must be a designated lead applicant; the lead applicant would enter into the award agreement with MBDA and assume primary operational and financial responsibility for completing the project should an award be made.

Specific Restrictions Determined at NOFO Level a) a business that is owned and controlled by individuals or whose current majority founders are individuals who have had their access to credit on reasonable terms diminished compared to others in comparable economic circumstances, due to their: (1) membership in a group that has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society; (2) gender; (3) veteran status; (4) limited English proficiency; (5) disability; (6) long-term residence in an environment isolated from the mainstream of American society; (7) membership in a federally or state-recognized Indian Tribe; (8) long-term residence in a rural community; (9) residence in a U.S. territory; (10) residence in a community undergoing economic transitions (including communities impacted by the shift towards a net-zero economy or deindustrialization); or (11) membership in an underserved community.

b) a business enterprise that certifies that it is owned and controlled by individuals whose residences are in Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Investment Areas, as defined in 12 C. F. R.

§ 1805. 201(b)(3)(ii); c) a business enterprise that certifies that it will build, open, or operate a location in a CDFI Investment Area, as defined in 12 C. F.

R. § 1805. 201(b)(3)(ii); or d) a business enterprise that certifies that it is located in a CDFI Investment Area, as defined in 12 C.

F. R. § 1805.

201(b)(3)(ii). Specific Restrictions Determined at NOFO Level • Assisted startups and small businesses or expand existing businesses by providing critical technical assistance strategies and services. • Helped SEDI enterprises secure growth capital (equity, debt, and grants).

• Cultivated a network of partners to close the entrepreneurship and wealth gaps in regions across the nation. Specific Restrictions Determined at NOFO Level The following activities and associated costs are not allowable under this Program. Such costs may not be charged to the Federal share or matching share of the award.

• Construction: Construction activities are not allowable under this program. For the purposes of an award made pursuant to this NOFO, construction includes any activity that disturbs the ground or modifies a structure. • Equity Investments & Loans: The use of award funds for equity investments, loans, or grants to entrepreneurs or businesses is not allowable under this program.

Thus, the cost of any equity investment, loan, or grant is not an allowable cost under an award. Neither Federal nor matching share funds may be invested in startups or other companies, whether through equity, debt, hybrid, or another mechanism. Similarly, services funded by Federal or matching share cannot be exchanged for equity or otherwise used as the basis for an equity stake in a company.

However, an award recipient may make such investments with outside funds that are not Federal or matching share funds under the award Deadline determined at as part of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Email of Intent Deadline was: January 31, 2023, by 5:00PM Eastern Standard Time Application Deadline was: February 28, 2023, by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time The Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement was located on grants.

gov. Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.

O. 12372. Pre-Application webinars were offered prior to an open funding competition to help potential applicants understand the program and develop competitive applications.

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Opportunity Posted Location: Grants. gov Application Procedures Location: NOFO See the Notice of Funding Opportunity located on Grants.

gov. Each responsive application was received by an independent, merit review by a panel (Merit Review Panel) qualified to evaluate and rank the applications submitted based on selection criteria. The ranked applications will be forwarded to the Grants Officer for review for completeness and then forwarded to the Selecting Official.

The Selecting Official made the final recommendation to the Grants Officer regarding the funding of applications under the NOFO. From 90 to 120 days. All applicants - successful and unsuccessful were notified of their status after the competition completed.

Not Applicable. There is no appeal process for final decisions. However, applicants may request a debriefing from MBDA.

The following 2CFR policy requirements apply to this assistance listing: Subpart B, General provisions Subpart C, Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards Subpart D, Post Federal; Award Requirements Subpart E, Cost Principles Subpart F, Audit Requirements The following 2CFR policy requirements are excluded from coverage under this assistance listing: **Financial Reports:**Financial Reports – The financial report shall include details on the use of Federal funds and contributions of non-Federal funds (if proposed).

The financial reports are to be submitted via Grants Online (or its successor system) on a periodic basis using the SF-425 form. The financial reports are due thirty (30) days after the end of the initial six-month period and every six-month period thereafter. The final report for each budget year is due within ninety (90) days after the expiration of that year.

, Frequency: Semi-Annually Annually Project Closeout/Final Report **Progress/Performance Reports :**Progress Reports – Progress reports are to be via the Grants Online system (or its successor) on a periodic basis. The periodic reports are due 30 days after the end of the initial six-month period and every six-month period thereafter. The final report is due within ninety (90) days after the expiration of each budget year.

The periodic reports must include data and information to determine project progression and success. MBDA will rely on these reports, data, and information as evidence for success stories, future program design, policy recommendations, and/or statistical purposes. Note: Failure to submit reports in a timely manner may result in MBDA award enforcement and/or delayed and/or terminated access to Federal funds.

, Frequency: Semi-Annually Annually Project Closeout/Final Report Grant files must be kept in accordance with 2 CFR 200. Retention Period: 3 Years Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing. Cost Sharing Requirement Type: Determined at NOFO level Description: A non-Federal cost share of the Federal funding is required for each budget year based on the Tier Structure shown in Section II.

A. The range of the required cost share is 10% - 25% depending on the tier of the award amount request (see Section II. A, above).

All cost sharing or matching must be consistent with the requirements of 2 CFR 200. 306. Awardees may meet the non-Federal matching requirement by using (i) cash or in-kind contributions, without regard to whether the contribution is made by a third party if the contributions meet the requirements in 2 CFR 200.

306(b)(1)-(7); and (ii) Federal funds received from other Federal programs only if those programs allow funding to be used for cost sharing purposes. If contributions include Federal funds received from other Federal programs, the applicant must attest that such program funding may be used for cost sharing purposes.

In-kind contributions must be documented and must be directed towards eligible project costs and meet applicable Federal cost principles and other requirements of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR Part 200.

Revenue may be, but is not required to be, generated from fees for service, client fees, membership fees, or other appropriate fees associated with services or activities funded through this Program as long as they are approved by MBDA. Any income generated may be used towards the matching requirement unless the matching requirement is met from other cash or inkind sources.

Any income generated in excess of the matching requirement must be used to carry out the activities of the program authorized by the award (2 C. F. R.

200. 307(e)(2)). Awardees cannot charge fees so high that Program-funded services and activities are not accessible to a broad range of SEDI entrepreneurs and SEDI-owned businesses.

MBDA may determine, based upon a demonstration by the applicant of substantial need, that the applicant shall not be required to provide the full match with respect to the funding to be provided. To qualify for a waiver, an applicant must submit a request with the application, including a justification for the waiver, supporting documentation, and the amount being sought. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Domestic Assistance Program that uses Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA): 1401 Constitution Avenue, MBDA Capital Readiness Program **To:**MBDA Capital Readiness Program **From:**MBDA Capital Readiness Program (FY23) **To:**MBDA Capital Readiness Program (FY23) **From:**2023 MBDA Capital Readiness Program 2023 MBDA Capital Readiness Program 2023 MBDA Capital Readiness Program 2023 MBDA Capital Readiness Program