About our Microgrant Programs

The #InThisTogether initiative by the One Community Plan team at Pinellas County Urban League will provide microgrants, free technology and one-to-one help to business owners struggling as a result of the COVID crisis. Microgrants are made possible by the funding support of the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, the City of St. Petersburg, the Grow Smarter initiative, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, the Power Broker Media Group, The 2020 Fund, and dozens of grassroots community contributions.

#InThisTogether supports three microgrant programs.

  • #PayItForward – The beauty industry is one of the largest sectors in the black community economy. Social distancing guidelines caused a near-total shutdown of hair salons, barber shops and nail shops. #PayItForward supports them with microgrants of $1,500 (shop/salon owners) and $1,000 (non-owner stylists, barbers and techs).
  • #4StPeteCreatives – South St. Pete’s creative community is struggling with the cancellation of events where many earn the bulk of their revenue. #4StPeteCreatives will invest in 25 creatives to provide $1,250 microgrants that include coverage of up to $750 in technology and tools to help them migrate to e-commerce. Participants will include graphic & web designers, digital artists, painters, screen printers, fashion designers, and other creatives.
  • #StrongerTogether – This project will help diverse “hard hit” business owners with microgrants of $1,500 combined with marketing support.

Participants in the three microgrant programs will also be supported with the following.

Who is eligible?

Owners of small businesses and self-employed individuals who live and work in St. Petersburg enterprises (and in select cases, who live and work south of Ulmerton Road in Pinellas County).

The following documents will be used to confirm eligibility (and will be needed prior to final approval of all grants):

  • A current corporate filing with Sunbiz.org OR a business tax certificate with the City of St. Petersburg
  • A current driver license, passport, or Florida ID
  • If required to have one, an occupational license with the State of Florida (e.g., licensed hair stylists)

Businesses receiving grants must have 12 or fewer employees or contractors.

Special priority will be given to current and prior clients of the community’s major business development organizations, which include:

  • Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation
  • Pinellas County Urban League Serious Business Academy
  • Florida SBDC at Pinellas County
  • Petersburg Greenhouse
  • One Community Business Network
  • Petersburg Business League
  • Petersburg Chamber of Commerce

How Grantees Are Selected

Funding is limited and One Community will not be able to approve every application received. Proposals will be reviewed based on a first-submitted and completed properly basis; they will be prioritized by the criteria described above. Approvals will be made by a committee of One Community Plan leaders.

To Apply 

As of May 5, 2020, only one microgrant program is currently open to receive applications – the #4StPeteCreatives Microgrant Program. One Community may raise sufficient funding to re-open the application period for the #PayItForward and #StrongerTogether microgrant programs.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY to the #4StPeteCreatives Microgrant Program