Impact Partner Grant

The Impact Partner Grant funds organizations that support underrepresented innovators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses in Raleigh. Previous grantees have launched diverse incubator cohorts, supported women leaders, improved work accessibility, enhanced employability for justice-impacted individuals, and made government contracting more inclusive for historically underutilized businesses. Past awardees include District C, RiOT, 321 Coffee, First Flight Ventures, and The Amalgamation.

The application period is now closed.

What is an Impact Partner?

An Impact Partner is a community stakeholder that builds a successful, sustainable and vibrant business ecosystem. Put simply, an instrumental partner for economic development.

The program provides grants to Impact Partners to help strengthen, develop, implement, and scale programs and resources to assist entrepreneurs, small businesses, and the local workforce in Raleigh.

Who is Eligible for the Impact Partner Grant?

Eligible sectors targeted by the program include:

Technology and Internet of Things (iOT)
Consumer Packaged Goods and Products
Design and Creative Industries
Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals
Social Impact and Social Innovation
Education
Professional Services
Workforce Development
Manufacturing and Distribution
Transportation and Logistics
Retail and retail-related services
Government
Non-Profit Corporations

We are particularly interested in organizations supporting underrepresented business owners, including marginalized groups based on race, gender, sexual orientation, income, and abilities.

Past Impact Partner Grant winners may not reapply for the same award within two years. However, the Impact Partner Grant and Microgrant are separate, allowing recipients of one to apply for the other.

How much funding will be awarded?

Each organization may request $15,000 to $20,000.

What are the Selection Criteria?

The Impact Partner Grant seeks to fund a program or initiative that demonstrates an innovative economic development strategy beyond current operations, such as a new strategy, partner, or program. Please note these are not general operating funds or operational small business support funds.

Proposals must align with one of the following City of Raleigh Strategic Plan Objectives for Economic Development:

Objective 1: Identify and enhance workforce development partnerships and efforts and actively serve as a conduit to residents, businesses, and resource partners to attract, retain, and engage a talented workforce of various ages, skill sets, and backgrounds to support a diverse, inclusive, and growing economy.
Objective 2: Cultivate an innovative and entrepreneurial culture based on shared strategic goals.
Objective 3: Develop strategies and tools that encourage and strengthen the development of businesses throughout the community.
Objective 4: Maintain and develop amenities and infrastructure to support and encourage jobs and business development and expansion in all parts of the city that provides opportunity for all.

In addition, proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Gap or Need: What is the economic development need within the Raleigh ecosystem that this program will help fill?
Program Plan: Are there clear goals, objectives, and workplans guiding the program implementation? Is this a new initiative that goes beyond your usual business operations?
Equity Alignment: How does this program advance diversity, equity, and inclusion?
Partnerships: What new or existing partnerships will support the success of this program?
Organizational Capacity: What resources and staff will support the successful implementation of this program?

These criteria guide the selection process, but the City reserves the right to award funding to proposals it deems best aligned with the policy objectives outlined in the Strategic Plan.

What do I need to submit with my proposal?

Use the submission form provided below to complete your written proposal. If you’d like to preview the questions as you prepare your submission, we have provided a proposal template file that includes all the questions you will need to address in your proposal.

Application Form
Application Template (not the official application)

A complete proposal must include:

Written responses to the application questions via the submission form.
A detailed program budget. Proposals that do not include the budget will not be reviewed.

Completed proposals are due by 11:59 pm ET on Friday, October 18, 2024.

What is the timeline for funding proposals?

Date	Milestone
September 15, 2024	Impact Partner Grant application opens
October 2, 2024 (4 p.m.)	Virtual Q&A Session #1 Registration link
October 10, 2024 (12 p.m.)	Virtual Q&A Session #2 Registration link
October 18, 2024	Impact Partner Grant application closes. The application will close at 11:59 pm ET on Friday, October 18, 2024.
October 19 to November 30, 2024	Proposal review and evaluation (please note that applications will NOT be reviewed on a rolling basis). Proposals will be reviewed by the Office of Strategy and Innovation and a panel of experts within the Raleigh innovation ecosystem. Applicants may be contacted with follow up questions or an interview.
December 2024	Impact Partner Grant winners selected

DISCLAIMER: We know innovation comes from organizations of various sizes/industries/stages. Are you not sure you fit 100% of the above criteria but are committed to helping the City of Raleigh foster bold new programs? Apply!

If you have questions or need any assistance completing the application, please send an email to alice.bosley@raleighnc.gov with the subject line “Impact Partner Grant.”