Grants for local businesses

Posted by Merchants Fund on January 11, 2016

Friends: Monday, February 29, 2016 Deadline

We have created an online application. We prefer this method but we have kept the PDF so you can print it to see what is required. We are committed to access so we will accept paper applications.

The next grant deadline for The Merchants Fund is Monday, February 29, 2016 (postmarked or completed online). Please forward this email to your clients, colleagues, business owners, community partners, etc. If you would like to join the listserv, send an email with the subject line “join the listserv” and include your contact information. TMF’s listserv is best suited to those who work with small business on a regular basis.

Grants are competitive and there is no guarantee of funding.

IMPORTANT: The first check off on the application indicates that you must discuss your project with staff at TMF before filing an application. Please take this step seriously and understand it leads to stronger applications. Almost unilaterally skipping this step means you will be turned down because the application is off target for our goals or the company is not qualified under our requirements.

TMF has two core grant making areas for businesses that have been legally established for at least three years in Philadelphia:

Business Stabilization grants up to $10,000 to help small businesses remain stable, viable and grow in the face of economic challenges or to respond to opportunities. We do not make grants for working capital. Grants must be spent by August 31, 2016.
http://www.merchantsfund.org/grants/grant-pre-qualification-application/

Business Loan matches up to $20,000 to match accredited government programs or bank loans at least dollar for dollar ($20,000 minimum loan matched by a $20,000 grant). TMF does not make loans. Grants must be spent by August 31, 2016.
http://www.merchantsfund.org/grants/grant-pre-qualification-application/

Please visit our web site http://www.merchantsfund.org/ for printable applications and detailed guidelines or contact us directly at info@merchantsfund.org or call 215-399-1339. I try to answer phone messages within 24 hours and I answer emails more frequently.

The next deadline will be in September 2016.