Request for Proposals: Storefront Upfit Grant Program (US)

The program is specifically intended to help new storefront businesses and expanding retail businesses with upfit and one-time standup expenses.

This funding opportunity offers reimbursement grants of up to $15,000, depending on location and business use. To support equitable growth for all in the downtown area, a Diverse Business Booster (DBE) of $2,500 is available for businesses with 50%-or-more ownership by individuals who identify as:

• Minority
• Female
• LGBTQ+
• Veteran
• A person with a disability

Program Objectives

• Attract new businesses that provide needed/desired services or products within downtown to address demand of residents, employees and visitors, as well as increase foot traffic and create a viable commercial core.
• Stimulate private investment in retail within downtown through property improvement, business development or expansion.
• Contribute to the overall value of downtown by encouraging more retail, restaurant, and service businesses, which makes downtown a more vibrant, sustainable, livable place and adds value to other businesses and investments in downtown.
• Provide additional resources, access, opportunities, and pathways to entrepreneurship for Minority- and Women-owned businesses (MWBE).
• Direct additional attention and assistance to areas of downtown in need of more targeted, storefront-level, economic development support.

Funding Information

• Grant funding provides financial assistance for build-outs, improvements, and renovations of storefront spaces and stand-up expenses associated with starting or expanding a storefront business in downtown.
• The funding opportunity is geographically tied to business type, and competitiveness of application. Businesses with 50%-or-more ownership that self-identify as a Diverse Business Enterprise (DBE) qualify for additional funding. With maximum funding available per eligible business of up to $15,000. A 50:50 funding match is required for reimbursement amounts over $7,500.
• DBE Booster:
  • Businesses with 50%-or-more ownership by individuals who identify as a minority, female, LGBTQ+, veteran, or a person with a disability may apply for an additional $2,500 in funding.

Eligible Expenses

• Hard costs to physically upfit space
• Soft costs associated with design, construction and execution
• One-time standup expenses
• Eligible standup expenses must directly relate to the business concept or be an essential expense of the business model. Consideration and approval is at the discretion of DRA staff and the review committee.
• Regular operating costs and recurring expenses are ineligible
• Examples of eligible standup expenses:
  • Furniture
  • Shelving
  • Signage
  • POS system
  • Paint
  • Lighting
  • Decor
  • Displays
  • Etc.

Eligibility Requirements

• A business license is required.
• Eligible business uses include but are not limited to new retail, restaurant, experiential, and service uses.
• Existing retail businesses expanding by 30% or more are also eligible. (Existing restaurant and service businesses are not eligible unless relocating to new location which is within the eligibility area).
• For pop-up businesses, a minimum three-month lease commitment is required.
  • Storefront spaces on the “out-of-bounds” side of the streets that are used as boundary lines will be considered eligible. A storefront space being “on” a boundary street will be determined by the location of the primary customer entrance to the space from the street.
  • Retail uses are eligible within the entire grant boundary area.
  • Restaurant and service uses are limited in grant eligibility to be within the smaller targeted area.
  • Pop-up concepts (as defined by an intended duration or lease commitment of less than one year) are only eligible in the priority area boundary.
• Professional office and bar uses are explicitly ineligible (bar being defined as a business concept where 70% or more of projected or actual revenue is derived from onsite alcohol sales and consumption).
• Brewery and distillery concepts with onsite production are excepted from the 70% definition and are explicitly eligible.
• Creative concepts that add new products or services to downtown are encouraged.
• Final eligibility determination is subject to DRA staff review.

Note: Individuals who have an immediate family member on the DRA Board of Directors or an immediate connection to an entity represented by a DRA Board Member are ineligible to receive funds via this grant program.

For more information, visit Downtown Raleigh Alliance.