Small Business Grant
Sponsored By:
The 2023 Small Business Grant is now CLOSED!
Applications submitted prior to the May 12, 2023 deadline have been reviewed.
Other opportunities
Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Grant. You’ve got big ideas, and we want to turn them into a reality. One young scholar with entrepreneurial spirit will receive $2,500 to continue their education. Deadlines are June 30th and September 30th of 2023.
Fresh Start Business Grant. Whether you’re starting over or starting from scratch, Incfile wants to be there to help your business succeed. One adult entrepreneur will receive $2,500 to put toward business startup costs and will also receive free formation services from Incfile. Deadlines are June 30th and September 30th of 2023.
Small Business Stabilization Restore Grant. OPENS Friday June 16, 2023.
Contact: RestoreGrants@prosperportland.us
There are 5 grant rounds for this program
June 16, 2023
August 1, 2023
October 1, 2023
December 1, 2023
February 1, 2024
The Small Business Stabilization Restore Grant Program will support Portland small businesses experiencing hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosper Portland will administer American Rescue Plan Act funds as one-time direct grants to help stabilize small businesses by addressing operational expenses for businesses within certain districts in the city. The Restore Grant Program can provide up to $25,000 to eligible small businesses to reimburse for eligible expenses related to damages and vandalism that occurred since January 2022.
If you have any questions about eligibility or the Restore Grant Program, please contact us as RestoreGrants@prosperportland.us.
Community Livability Grant. Each year, Prosper Portland seeks proposals from community-based organizations for projects that foster vibrant and healthy neighborhoods and improve the prosperity of area residents and businesses. Projects must be located within the following neighborhoods:
Prosper Portland Small Business Repair Grant. This program offers up to $10,000 to local small businesses that are in need of immediate repairs! This is a fantastic opportunity for business owners to take advantage of. More details and the application can be found here. Please note that SJCO does not administer this grant, it is done by and through Prosper Portland.
Find more grant opportunities & business resources with our partners at MESO!
What is the Small Business Grant?
The Small Business Grant was formerly known as the Storefront Improvement Grant.
St. Johns Center for Opportunity (SJCO) has invested more than $183,000 in capital improvement projects in downtown St. Johns since 2014. This year, SJCO will distribute up to a total of $50,000 to businesses and commercial property owners in the St. Johns Urban Renewal Area. The goal of this grant is to support businesses and property owners in making permanent district improvements through a community-driven process.
Applicants may apply for a grant of $250 - $5,000 for their project. Applications opened on January 2, 2023 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis through May 12, 2023 at 5:00pm. If your application is approved, work must be completed by June 30, 2023.
Who Can Apply?
Building owners and/or tenants with lease authority and authorization from the property owner may apply. Tenants must have a minimum of two years remaining on their lease or an option to renew.
The business does not need to be located on the ground level in a traditional storefront space to be eligible, and a wide variety of projects are eligible (see next section).
The following are not eligible to apply: religious institutions, political institutions, and applicants who have submitted or attempted to submit fraudulent applications or otherwise acted in bad faith.
The project site must be located in the Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative Investment Area.
To determine whether your business or property is eligible, type the address into Portland Maps. Click the button that says “Permits & Zoning” and then “Zoning & Districts.” On the resulting page, scroll down to the “Development Areas ” section. If the property is located within the eligible area, it will say “Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative Investment Area: Yes” in this section.
SJCO does not control these boundaries and does not have authority to provide grant funding for projects located outside of this area. If you need help determining whether your property is eligible, please contact outreach@stjohnsopportunity.org or call us at (503) 841-5522.
Grant Eligibility Area
This map is for visual reference only. The area shaded in Pink (link to map) is eligible for the Small Business Grant. We still recommend businesses use the Portland Maps link to verify eligibility.
Havalina built an ADA accessible bar, completed in 2023.
What Projects are Eligible?
Examples of possible projects include but are not limited to:
Climate resilience projects e.g. install energy-efficient heat pump
Exterior and interior lighting
Street trees
Stationary garbage receptacles
Bike racks
Benches
Awning removal or replacement
Landscaping, including permanent planters, storm water gardens, and pavement removal
Exterior or interior paint
Flooring
Façade improvements
Door/window replacement
Permanent signage
Permanent security measures (security gates, mounted security cameras, roll-down security doors, etc)
We prioritize projects that:
Support people of color, immigrants, women, LGBTQ, individuals with disabilities and/or low-income individuals
Include a plan for ongoing maintenance
Promote sustainability
Utilize local vendors
Are compatible with SJCO goals
Have high impact on the district
Are highly feasible
Projects must conform to Portland Zoning Code and be approved by SJCO. Work must be performed by a licensed contractor.
What types of projects are not eligible?
St Johns Boxing updated their signage, completed in 2023.
Extensive deferred maintenance, such as power washing, major redesign, or structural work
Movable items, such as landscaping pots, interior seating, display cases, and A-boards; the grant is for permanent improvements to the district
DIY projects and any work not completed by licensed contractors
ANY work begun or paid for prior to approval of application
IMPORTANT: If you have a repair project (e.g. broken window/door, graffiti, sign damage) please apply to the Prosper Portland Repair Grant first: https://prosperportland.us/portfolio-items/local-small-business-repair-reopening-grant/
If you have questions about the Repair Grant or which grant to apply for, contact us at community@stjohnsopportunity.org.
Who can perform the work?
For almost all projects, work must be completed by a licensed contractor. Murals and decals may be installed by an artist operating a licensed business. Remember, DIY projects are NOT eligible. You must submit a bid with your application and should verify their license with the appropriate agency, such as the Construction Contractors Board or Oregon Landscape Contractors Board.
Do I need my landlord’s approval?
If you are not the property owner, you must have your landlord sign your application giving their permission for the work (see page 7).
What is a “matching” grant?
This is a matching grant program, which means the applicant pays a portion of the improvement and SJCO pays a portion. Typically, the amount of the match is at least 1:1 — for every $2 of project cost, the applicant pays $1 and SJCO pays $1. We will consider matches below 50% if there is a high need. The maximum grant contribution by SJCO is $5,000 per project.
How do I know if I am approved?
Applicants are typically notified within one month of submitting a complete application. Approved projects will receive a letter of commitment from SJCO for the award amount via email. Upon receipt of the letter of commitment, the applicant must sign and return a Grant Agreement, and then may proceed with the project. Projects must be completed within the grant timeline, unless extended by SJCO. The applicant is responsible for obtaining all required permits, conforming with all applicable safety standards and conditions, and agrees to assume full responsibility for maintenance of the project after completion.
SJCO may promote an approved project including, but not limited to, displaying an SJCO sign at the site during and after construction and using photographs and descriptions of the project in SJCO’s marketing materials.
Once completed, how do I receive the funds?
Grant funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis and are issued after the project has been completed. You must pay your licensed contractor in full before you can receive your grant funds from SJCO. To receive your check, you must submit all of the following:
High resolution “after” photo
Proof of payment in full to contractor - credit/debit card receipt, canceled check, or invoice marked “paid in full”
W-9 form - use information for your desired payment recipient.
SJCO will review the completed project to determine that the work performed is the same as the work approved.
If projects are not on track to be completed by June 30, 2023 the business or property owner must receive written consent from our Executive Director to extend their deadline. SJCO reserves the right to terminate the agreement if work is not completed by the deadline in order to ensure the funding is put to use in the community within the time frame of each grant cycle.
Revolutions Bookshop updated their HVAC system to something more modern and efficient, completed in 2023.
Timeline
Application opens January 2023
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis through May 12 at 5:00pm. Submit early for best consideration.
Application closes May 12, 2023 at 5:00pm.
Applicants notified through May 31, 2023
Project completion deadline: June 30, 2023 (reasonable extensions considered)
How do I apply?
Eligible business and property owners submit their completed applications, including project bids.
By mail or dropped in mail slot at:
St. Johns Center for Opportunity
8160 N Jersey St.
Portland, OR 97203
By email:
The due date for applications was May 12, 2023 at 5:00pm.
Have questions?
Email exec@stjohnsopportunity.org. You may also call (503) 841-5522 (please leave a voicemail with name and phone number for callback).
Click the blue button below for the Small Business Grant Application in English or Spanish. This will become available when the grant application cycle opens up again.
IMPORTANT: To fill out the application, make a copy and edit the copy in Google Docs OR download the document and fill it out in your word processor OR print the document and fill it out by hand. If you would like a printed copy, email or call us and we will happily drop one off for you!