New Grant for Corridors of Opportunity Business District Organizations

Published on May 09, 2024

Corridors of Opportunity Logo

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 9, 2024) – The City of Charlotte is excited to announce the Start-Scale-Sustain (S3) grant opportunity aimed at empowering Business District Organizations (BDOs) within Corridors of Opportunity.

To uplift these communities, the city is partnering with BDOs within the corridors to strengthen the vitality of neighborhood commercial districts. The city intends to partner with these place-based organizations as they work to establish a collective vision for their district and champion the businesses and stakeholders to create a vibrant, healthy and active place to do business.

The program will utilize federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act to streamline and scale the opportunity for corridor-based established and emerging BDOs to receive organization-building and business-supporting services.

“This program underscores our city's dedication to fostering inclusive economic development,” said Erin Gillespie, interim Corridors of Opportunity executive program manager. “By providing funding and technical assistance to BDOs, we aim to empower these organizations to better serve our community and drive sustainable growth.”

Organizations that wish to apply must:

  • Be a nonprofit with an existing or pending 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 designation.
  • Serve a business district in the Corridors of Opportunity.
  • Represent at least 10 businesses from the business district they serve.
  • Be an active SAM.gov UEI or have a fiduciary/fiscal sponsor with a UEI.

The program offers flexibility to accommodate BDOs at various stages of development, ensuring that both emerging and established organizations can benefit from the support provided. Funding will be allocated based on the specific needs of each BDO, focusing on strategic investments that maximize impact.

The application window for the grant program is open now through Friday, June 14, at 5 p.m. Interested BDOs are encouraged to submit their applications promptly to ensure consideration for funding.

City staff will host a question-and-answer webinar on Thursday, May 16 at 11 a.m. Participants must register for the webinar to get a virtual meeting link and submit questions prior by emailing corridorsofopportunity@charlottenc.gov.

For more information on the grant program and application guidelines, please visit the S3 grant webpage.

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