What Is the Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund? (Quick Answer)
The Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund is a micro-grant program run by Black & Brown Founders, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, offering four $5,000 micro-business grants to underrepresented entrepreneurs who have already generated revenue in the last 12 months. Applicants submit a completed application, proof of revenue, a short essay, and complete the Bizscoreline business assessment.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund:
- What Is the Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund?
- Why This Grant Matters for Founders
- Benefits of $5,000 Small Business Grant
- Eligibility Requirements
- Who Can Apply?
- Who Cannot Apply?
- How to Apply for the Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund
- Funding Details
- Required Documents
- Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Common Application Mistakes
- Alternative Small Business Grants for Diverse Founders
- How American Grant Associations Can Help
- Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding Funding Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
Securing funding continues to be one of the greatest challenges for Black, Brown, and other historically underrepresented entrepreneurs launching and growing businesses across the United States. Traditional lenders often require credit histories, collateral, or years of financials that many diverse business owners simply haven’t had the chance to build, not because their businesses lack promise, but because access to capital has historically been uneven. That’s why initiatives such as the Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund play such an important role.
The Empower Growth Fund is designed to give qualified small business owners a targeted boost of non-dilutive growth funding they can put directly into scaling, stabilizing, or systematizing their operations. Unlike loans or equity investments, grants do not require repayment or the surrender of business ownership, making them one of the most beneficial funding options for eligible entrepreneurs.
What Is the Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund?
The Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund, commonly known as the Empower Growth Micro-Grant, is a financial assistance program created by Black & Brown Founders Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to advancing diversity and inclusion within the entrepreneurial community. The organization’s broader mission is to empower entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities with the tools, training, and connections needed to launch and scale successful, tech-enabled businesses.
According to the organization’s published program information, the fund provides a financial boost to four underrepresented entrepreneurs who have already demonstrated business success by generating annual revenue in the last 12 months. The grant is intended to support businesses that are ready to grow, strengthen operations, or improve systems, rather than finance ideas that are still in the planning stage.
Why This Grant Matters for Founders
Grants like this one play an outsized role in advancing inclusive entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. Here’s why:
- Access to capital is consistently cited as the top barrier for Black-owned businesses and Brown-owned businesses seeking to grow.
- Non-dilutive growth capital allows founders to invest in their business without taking on debt or giving up equity.
- Programs built specifically for BIPOC founders and minority-owned businesses help close longstanding gaps in financial inclusion and capital access.
- Community-based funding supports wealth creation and long-term economic mobility for founders and the communities they serve.
- Equitable funding opportunities like this one contribute to a stronger, more diverse startup ecosystem overall.
For many diverse entrepreneurs, a grant of this size isn’t just a financial boost, it’s validation that their business traction and growth plan are worth backing.
Key Benefits of the $5,000 Small Business Grant
The Empower Growth Fund’s $5,000 micro-business grant is intended as flexible working capital. Based on the program’s published guidance, funds may be used for:
- Marketing and customer acquisition
- Technology upgrades, such as CRM or automation tools
- Website improvements or e-commerce enhancements
- Hiring consultants or fractional professionals
- Scaling production or service delivery
Why this matters for business growth:
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Benefit
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How It Supports Growth
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|---|---|
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Non-dilutive funding
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No repayment, no equity given up
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Marketing investment
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Expands customer acquisition and revenue growth
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Technology upgrades
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Improves operational efficiency and systems
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Hiring support
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Adds capacity through fractional or consultant talent
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Production/service scaling
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Strengthens ability to fulfill growing demand
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This structure positions the $5,000 small business grant as strategic investment capital rather than general-purpose cash. Reviewers want to see it tied to a clear, systematized growth plan.
Grant Readiness Checklist
- My business has generated revenue in the last 12 months
- I can clearly explain how $5,000 will be used
- I have basic financial records organized
- I understand the program's stated purpose (scale, stabilize, systematize)
- I have reviewed the official program page for current requirements
Eligibility Requirements
Based on the program’s published information, the Empower Growth Fund is intended for underrepresented entrepreneurs who have already demonstrated business success by generating revenue in the last 12 months. Beyond this, official eligibility details, including any specific revenue thresholds, business age requirements, or location requirements, should be confirmed directly on the Black & Brown Founders website, as nonprofit grant criteria can change between funding cycles.
General factors typically relevant to eligibility for this type of program include:
- Business must be operating and generating revenue
- Founder should identify as part of an underrepresented or diverse founder community
- Business should have a defined use of funds tied to growth, stabilization, or systemization
- Applicant must be able to complete all required program steps, including the Bizscoreline assessment
Eligibility Checklist
- My business is currently operating
- I have generated revenue within the specified period
- I identify as a Black, Brown, or otherwise underrepresented founder
- I can commit to completing all application steps, including any required assessments
- I have reviewed the current program page for exact eligibility language
Who Can Apply?
The fund is built for Black and Brown founders, BIPOC founders, minority founders, and other underrepresented founders operating small businesses in the United States. This may include:
- Black-owned businesses
- Brown-owned businesses
- Minority-owned businesses generally
- Diverse business owners across industries
- Founders who have already generated revenue and are ready to scale
Who Cannot Apply?
While official disqualifying criteria should be confirmed on the program’s website, based on the fund’s stated purpose, the following would generally fall outside scope:
- Pre-revenue businesses or idea-stage startups with no operating history
- Applicants unable to provide proof of revenue
- Businesses unwilling or unable to complete required program steps, such as Bizscoreline
- Applicants outside the program's defined founder or geographic criteria
- Incomplete applications missing required documentation
How to Apply for the Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund
Based on the program’s published application process, here is the general step-by-step path:
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Confirm eligibility by reviewing the current program page and requirements. Grant matching services can help identify funding opportunities that align with your business profile and eligibility.
Step 2: Gather documentation
Gather documentation, including proof of revenue such as a P&L statement, bank statements, or tax return summary. Grant resource guidance can help you identify the supporting documents needed for a complete application.
Step 3: Prepare Essay
Prepare your mini-essay, addressing how the micro-grant will help you scale or systematize your business (approximately 250 words per the program’s stated format).
Step 4: Complete Application Form
Complete the application form with accurate business and contact information.
Step 5: Complete Bizscoreline
Complete Bizscoreline, the business assessment tool referenced as part of the program’s requirements.
Step 6: Review Before Submission
Review everything before submission, check for completeness and accuracy. Businesses can use grant community support to get support and guidance before completing the submission process.
Step 7: Submit Before Deadline
Submit before the stated deadline and watch for any finalist follow-up steps, such as a video pitch.
Application Preparation Checklist
- Application form completed in full
- Proof of revenue attached
- Mini-essay written, proofread, and within the stated word range
- Bizscoreline assessment completed
- Contact information double-checked
- Submission made ahead of the official deadline
Funding Details
Publicly available information indicates the Empower Growth Fund awards four $5,000 micro-business grants to qualifying entrepreneurs per cycle. This funding is intended to support business expansion, working capital needs, and growth-focused investments rather than startup seed capital for pre-revenue ventures.
Funding amounts, number of awards, and cycle timing can change year to year. Always verify the latest eligibility requirements, deadlines, funding availability, and application instructions on the official Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund website before applying.
Required Documents
While exact document requirements should always be confirmed on the official site, based on published program information, applicants should expect to prepare:
- Proof of business revenue (P&L statement, bank statements, or tax return summary)
- Completed application form with business details
- A short written statement (mini-essay) describing planned fund usage
- Business registration or ownership documentation, if requested
- Materials for a finalist video pitch, if selected
Business Document Checklist
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Document
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Purpose
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|---|---|
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P&L statement or bank statements
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Proof of revenue
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Tax return summary
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Verifies financial standing
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Business registration
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Confirms legal business status
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Mini-essay
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Demonstrates growth plan and fund usage
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Bizscoreline completion
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Program-required business assessment
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Selection Criteria
According to published program information, applications are reviewed by a panel of business leaders and community stakeholders. Reported evaluation factors include:
- Impact potential of the proposed use of funds
- Clarity of goals and plan
- Business traction and community contribution
No additional judging criteria should be assumed beyond what the program has published. Applicants should not expect a guaranteed outcome, grant panels weigh multiple qualitative and quantitative factors that can vary by cycle.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Strengthen your business story. Connect your revenue history to a clear growth trajectory.
- Provide measurable impact. Use real numbers where possible, such as revenue, customers served, jobs created.
- Explain fund usage clearly. Reviewers favor specific plans over vague statements.
- Submit complete documentation. Missing files are one of the most common reasons applications are screened out.
- Address community impact. Since the selection criteria include community contribution, show how your business benefits your local or professional community.
Common Application Mistakes
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Mistake
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Why It Hurts Your Application
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|---|---|
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Incomplete application
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Automatic disqualification risk
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Reviewers can't verify eligibility
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Weakens perceived impact potential
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Application considered incomplete
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Fails to demonstrate business traction
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No exceptions typically made
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Alternative Grants for Diverse Founders
Founders exploring funding opportunities for BIPOC founders should also research these established grant programs. Availability and terms change often, so confirm current details directly with each program.
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Grant
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Amount
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Eligibility
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Best For
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Official Website
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund
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$5,000 (4 awards)
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Underrepresented founders with revenue history
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Founders ready to scale/systematize
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Varies by program
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Small business owners, often BIPOC/women-owned
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Marketing, media, and technology support
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Varies
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Black entrepreneurs
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Early-stage and growth-stage founders
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Varies
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Local retail businesses
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Brick-and-mortar and local retail
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$10,000 monthly / $25,000 annual
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Women-owned businesses
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Women entrepreneurs across industries
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Varies by program
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Small business owners meeting specific program criteria
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Rotating grant opportunities
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Up to $4,000
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NASE members
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Self-employed and small business owners
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Always verify current amounts, eligibility, and deadlines directly on each program’s official website, as terms can change without notice.
How American Grant Associations Can Help
Finding and applying for the right grant opportunities requires more than searching for available funding, it requires understanding eligibility requirements, identifying the best-fit programs, and preparing a clear strategy for success. This is where working with an experienced grant support partner can help simplify the process and improve your approach.
At American Grant Association, we help founders, entrepreneurs, and organizations navigate the grant landscape through:
- Grant Finding Services to identify relevant funding opportunities that align with your goals, industry, and business stage
- Grant Matching Services to connect you with grant programs that best fit your qualifications and funding needs
- Grant Resource Guidance to help you understand application requirements, documentation needs, and available funding pathways
- Grant Community Support to provide ongoing guidance, insights, and support throughout your grant journey
- Complete Grant Support to assist with the overall process, from opportunity discovery and preparation to application review and submission readiness
Whether you are exploring startup funding, small business grants, or other financial opportunities, the American Grant Association provides the guidance and resources needed to approach grant applications with greater confidence.
Business Growth Planning Framework
A simple five-step framework for turning micro-grant funding into sustainable business growth:
- Assess: Review current revenue, operations, and gaps.
- Plan: Define exactly how grant funds will be deployed.
- Deploy: Execute the funded initiative (marketing, technology, hiring, etc.).
- Measure: Track results against your original growth goals.
- Systematize: Turn what worked into a repeatable process for long-term growth.
Conclusion
The Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund offers a meaningful opportunity for underrepresented entrepreneurs to access non-dilutive growth funding at a pivotal stage, after they’ve already proven revenue traction. A $5,000 micro-business grant may not transform a business overnight, but paired with a clear plan, it can meaningfully support marketing, technology, hiring, or operational improvements that drive long-term growth.
Because eligibility rules, funding amounts, and deadlines can change between cycles, always verify the latest eligibility requirements, deadlines, funding availability, and application instructions on the official Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund website before applying. And if you want expert support preparing a competitive, well-documented application, professional grant support can help you put your best case forward.
A simple five-step framework for turning micro-grant funding into sustainable business growth:
Preparing a competitive business grant application requires more than filling out a form. Successful applications clearly communicate business performance, growth potential, financial readiness, and a compelling vision for the future.
At American Grant Association, we help entrepreneurs:
- Find the right grant opportunities
- Verify eligibility
- Match eligible grants
- Grant resource guidance
- Organize supporting documentation
- Grant community support
- Navigate grant process
- Improve funding competitiveness
Whether you’re applying for your first business grant or expanding an established company, our experienced grant professionals can help you submit a stronger application.
Contact American Grant Association today and let us help you compete with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund?
It’s a micro-grant program from the nonprofit Black & Brown Founders Inc. that awards four $5,000 grants to underrepresented entrepreneurs who have already generated revenue, to help them scale, stabilize, or systematize their business.
Who qualifies for the grant?
Published program information indicates it’s for underrepresented entrepreneurs with a demonstrated revenue history in the last 12 months. Confirm exact eligibility on the official site.
How much funding is available?
Four $5,000 micro-business grants are awarded per the program’s published information. Amounts can change, so verify current details before applying.
Is the Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund legitimate?
Yes, it’s operated by Black & Brown Founders Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with published program information on its official website.
Can startups apply?
The program is designed for entrepreneurs who have already generated revenue in the last 12 months, rather than pre-revenue idea-stage startups.
What documents are required?
Based on published guidance: proof of revenue (P&L, bank statements, or tax return summary), a completed application form, and a mini-essay. Confirm the full list on the official site.
Is there a revenue requirement?
Yes, applicants must have already demonstrated business success by generating revenue in the last 12 months, according to the program’s stated criteria.
What businesses qualify?
Small businesses owned by underrepresented founders that have already generated revenue and have a clear plan for using grant funds toward growth.
Can I apply for other grants at the same time?
Generally, yes, applying to multiple small business grant programs is common practice, though you should review each program’s specific rules.
Is professional grant support worth it?
For many founders, professional grant support helps organize documentation, sharpen the narrative, and avoid common application mistakes, improving overall application quality.
This article is for informational purposes only and reflects publicly available program information as of publication. Grant terms, eligibility, and deadlines are determined solely by Black & Brown Founders Inc. Always confirm current details on the official program website before applying.
