New Grants Available For Small Businesses

Greater Washington Community Foundation Receives $500,000 PNC Foundation Grant To Support Small Businesses In Prince George’s County

Eligible Small Businesses Along Blue and Purple Line Corridors Can Apply for Grants Up to $20,000

The Greater Washington Community Foundation announced the launch of the Prince George’s County Small Business Support Program made possible through $500,000 in funding from the PNC Foundation to support small business infrastructure and development in Prince George’s County.

Managed by The Community Foundation, the program will provide grants and technical assistance to small businesses operating along the Blue and Purple Line corridors providing greater opportunities to harness the economic benefits of development in the area. The program will serve an area that is home to a number of BIPOC-owned small businesses, and it aligns with The Community Foundation’s ongoing efforts to foster economic mobility and community wealth building with a goal of helping to close the region’s racial wealth gap.

“Ninety-five percent of businesses in Prince George’s County are small businesses, contributing nearly half of all jobs,” says Tonia Wellons, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “We're proud to partner with the PNC Foundation to enhance small business infrastructure and address racial wealth disparities in Prince George’s County.”

Small businesses along the Purple and Blue Line corridors face challenges due to ongoing construction and the pandemic. Increased access to resources and support for operational costs, technical upgrades, and workforce retention is crucial.

“Our grant to the Greater Washington Community Foundation is a reflection of our shared focus on making an impact on the communities where we live and work,” said D. Jermaine Johnson, PNC regional president of Greater Washington and Virginia. “Delivering our resources in support of this program will have significant impact for our region’s small businesses. It will enable entrepreneurs to further realize their vision and strengthen economic vitality in Prince George’s County.”

The PNC Foundation grant is in line with similar support for small businesses in other markets in which the bank operates designed to provide deep technical assistance and micro equity funding.

Eligible small businesses can apply for grants up to $20,000 between April 15 – May 13, 2024. Funds can be used for operational costs, technology, marketing, capital improvements, and technical assistance. The program targets businesses employing 10 or fewer employees, operational for more than 3 years within the target corridors.

For more information on eligibility and to complete an application, visit The Community Foundation.