Legacy Business Support Grant
The Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion (OEOI) is seeking grant applications from nonprofit organizations who currently work with small businesses across Boston.
Preference will be given to nonprofit organizations who have worked with Legacy Businesses in the past. The City of Boston defines a Legacy Business as a brick and mortar business that has been in business for 10 or more years in the same location, and are considered local neighborhood institutions that have helped to shape the construct of our city.
Applications are due Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Legacy Businesses
CRITERIA
- Is a business that has operated for at least 10 years in the same location within the City of Boston.
- Is a business that contributes to the cultural, historical, and societal assets of Boston’s community or neighborhood
- Is a business that plans to maintain its business in the City of Boston
In the fall of 2022, OEOI launched the Legacy Business Program, to honor and recognize Boston based businesses that have been in their same location for over 10 years. We believe that by highlighting these businesses through this program, we can help turn our neighborhoods into destinations. We want to drive spending and pedestrian traffic into local commercial districts. With increased visibility, our goal is to ensure that these legacy businesses can: avoid displacement, grow their influence, keep residents employed, and enrich the cultural vibrancy of the City of Boston.
Call for Applications
GOALS
This grant will not exceed $1,050,000 and is expected to be used to support at least 35 businesses located in the City of Boston that meet the qualification of a legacy business. Preference will be given to applicants whose program plans include:
- Cohort model high-quality technical assistance geared toward helping the business owners stabilize and grow their business
- Compassionate financial support
- Mentorship and networking opportunities from peer business owners
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
To comply with reporting requirements for this program, the nonprofit will be required to:
- Report list of businesses served by grant
- Document plans for business technical assistance
- Report outcomes and forward outputs of technical assistance provided
- Report hours of technical support provided to each business grantee
- Submit proposed budget and actual uses of any grants disbursed