Johnson Foundation Grant Program

Johnson Foundation Grant Program is sponsored by Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber Foundation & Johnson Foundation. This program supports women-, minority-, or LGBTQ-owned small businesses that are opening in downtown, Over-the-Rhine, and Pendleton, Cincinnati.

Johnson Foundation Grant - Cincinnati Regional Chamber Cincinnati Chamber FOundation Grant to Support Women, LGBTQ, and Minority Entrepreneurs The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber Foundation’s mission is to develop and promote economic development, talent initiatives and the unique offerings in the Cincinnati region.

The Cincinnati Chamber Foundation, thanks to a generous grant from the Johnson Foundation, will launch a $100,000 grant program to support women-, minority-, or LGBTQ-owned small businesses that are opening in downtown, Over-the-Rhine, and Pendleton. The program will support the revitalization of currently vacant retail storefronts in the center-city, the creation of new jobs, and the growth of minority- or women-owned businesses.

The Cincinnati Chamber and the Johnson Foundation will have a selection committee that reviews all applications to determine application eligibility and size of grant. Grants in the amount of $5,000 and $10,000 will be available based on size and scope of the new business. Targeted businesses are retail, restaurant, and customer-facing industries that add to the vibrancy of our neighborhoods.

Grants are available to new women-, minority-, or LGBTQ-owned businesses that open within 90 days of receiving the grant award and are not currently open. Businesses must be located in the neighborhoods of the Central Business District, Over-the-Rhine, or Pendleton. Qualifying businesses must have already signed a lease with a landlord prior to acceptance of the grant.

The length of the lease term should be disclosed as part of the application. Qualifying business must be a new women-, minority-, or LGBTQ-owned business that will open a storefront location within 90 days of receiving the grant award and are not currently open. Businesses must be located in the neighborhoods of the Central Business District, Over-the-Rhine, or Pendleton.

Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis, and the committee will meet monthly to make awards. Grant applications will be hosted on the Cincinnati Chamber’s website.

To complete the application you will need the following information: General Contact Information Tell us how these funds will be used Describe the services your business provides Tell us how these funds will help your employees If the location is leased, please provide the terms of lease along with name and contact information for the landlord A document upload containing budgets.

Include total costs of startup, how much has been raised to date, and thsource of funding (bank loan, personal funds, friends/family, etc.) A document upload of your business plan A document upload containing letter letter(s) of reference from building owner/leasing agent of property where the business is located. If the building is owner-occupied, a letter of reference from financial partner will be accepted.

(3 maximum) *In order to be eligible for funding your business must be a new women-, minority-, or LGBTQ-owned business that will open a storefront location within 90 days of receiving the grant award and are not currently open. Businesses must be located in the neighborhoods of the Central Business District, Over-the-Rhine, or Pendleton. Have questions?

Please Contact: Vice President, Marketing & Communications afitzgibbons@cincinnatichamber. com Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information