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SEED grant 2014 application deadline is August 29

The deadline to apply for some of the $90,000 in new grants that will be awarded to startup businesses in East End and Church Hill locations is August 29. Applications can be found online at eastendvision.org and www.virginialisc.org.

Bon Secours Richmond Health System, in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), is accepting applications for the fourth round of the Supporting East End Entrepreneur Development (SEED) program, an annual small business awards competition providing grants to promising individuals with plans to open or expand a business in Richmond’s East End.

Applicants must be startup companies or entrepreneurs whose businesses are located in the 23223 zip code within the city of Richmond, preferably along the 25th Street and Nine Mile Road Corridor. Grant recipients from prior award years may re-apply but may not exceed three years of grant funding. Applications are evaluated and judged by SEED’s Blue Ribbon Panel, comprised of representatives from Bon Secours, LISC, Capital One, East End business owners and others.

With grants in prior years generally topping out at $10,000, the increase in funding will enable SEED in 2014 to offer one or more grants of up to $25,000 to applicants whose exceptional business plans demonstrate a potential to bring about transformational change to the community and to employ community residents.

LISC will provide the SEED award recipients with business planning and coaching assistance to help launch their ideas, along with business mentoring and additional support.
SEED applications are due on Friday, August 29, and can be emailed to kking@lisc.org or mailed to Virginia LISC, 413 Stuart Circle, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23220.

Created in 2011 by Bon Secours in partnership with LISC, SEED is designed to foster and engage the community around business and job creation by funding and mentoring a new generation of business people committed to revitalizing their community. From 2011 through 2013, Bon Secours helped 14 businesses establish their services in this community, with funding totaling $150,000.

In 2014, Bon Secours continued its support of the SEED program, committing an additional $150,000 in renewable funding through 2015. Capital One contributed $15,000 to SEED, bringing the total to $90,000 in SEED grants this year. Capital One also donated $10,000 to LISC for administrative funding for the program.

Previous winners of SEED grants include: Urban Set Bride, Cyclus Bike Shop, Union Market, Sub Rosa, WPA Bakery, J. Burton Hauling and Disposal, Restoration Builders of Virginia, Proper Pie Co., Karen Wilson Natural Beauty, Taylor Environmental Janitorial Services, All Around Painting, Dutch & Co., Loving Lemons, Era Vintage, and J. Burton Hauling and Disposal.