Applications Open for 2024
Welcome to the 2024 Grants & Programs! Please take a moment to review the requirements below carefully.
Applications will be accepted from October 1st to October 31st. You may apply for a grant or register for a program workshop, but please note that applicants can only apply for one grant OR one program. ALL applicants are eligible to apply for Direct Technical Assistance and meet with a Subject Matter Expert. Grant recipients and program participants will be notified by November 15th.
Please review FAQ section of the grant information session video, found here
If you have any additional questions, please contact us at info@bbaoregon.org.
General Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a for-profit business with at least 51% Black ownership.
- Must have active registration with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office.
- Must currently operate in Portland, OR (>2 years).
- Must submit the last two years of business tax returns, including Schedule C
- Retail businesses
- Home Based businesses
- Restaurants, Caterers, Catering company and Confectioners (bakeries, candy, ice cream)
- Replenish / purchase business inventory
- Payments can be made directly to vendors
- Submission of “paid” receipts / invoices
- Website development / updates
- Technology equipment
- Digital advertising
- Complete a 100-point digital audit w/ Oregonian
- Use BBAO-approved website vendor
- Submit invoices for purchasing/reimbursements of digital advertising
- Weather-related damages
- Broken windows / doors
- Graffiti / Sign damage
- Security/prevention
- Operation expenses
- Must submit invoices from vendors
- Payments made directly to vendors
- Submit paid receipts / invoices for reimbursement
- Eligibility documents
- Record keeping
- Accounting workshop (virtual)
- Current taxes (due)
- Delinquent taxes (past due)
- Need access to a tax filing professional
- Line of credit / Business credit card
- Access to capital
- Virtual workshop
- Business checking account
- Business savings account
- Application for line of credit (after setting up *business savings)
- Paid Subject Matter Experts (marketing, operations, accounting, etc)
- 5 hours of 1:1 Coaching
- Flexible scheduling
- Must identify a specific business problem
- Must adhere to the SME meeting schedule
These grants & programs were made possible by Prosper Portland / Reimagine Oregon Fund.
- Must be a for profit business with at least 51% Black ownership
- Must have active registeration with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office
- Operating in Portland, OR (>2 years)
- Must submit the last two years of business tax returns, including schedule C (these can be found on personal tax returns)
Once open visit bbaoregon.org/grants and click the tab you want (inventory, etc). Next, use the ‘apply now’ button associated to apply for the selected grant/program.
We will have a grant & program applications open on this page from Oct 1st to 31st. If open period and unable to apply please email us at info@bbaoregon.org.
No. You have to choose one or the other. Currently you can apply for one grant OR one program workshop per grant cycle.
Once approved you can schedule up to 5 (1hr) meetings with your Subject Matter Expert.
Yes, eligible Subject Matter Experts can apply for BBAO grants / programs.
Not at this time. These grants are for existing Black businesses in Portland, OR.
*Must currently operate in Portland, OR (>2 years).
If local considering checking out [BUF] Black United Fund for their grants & programs offerings. Linked here to learn more about all their programs.
BBAO has a roster of vetted Subject Matter Experts. Our BRE staff will assign based on your business needs.
Additionally if you have a SME you would like to nominate/refer or you are interested in becoming one please apply here.