Grants and In-Kind Support to USA Black and Minority-Owned Businesses to Open Stores and Expand Businesses in Eligible Locations

Partner to Empower

Agency

Foundation

GrantWatch ID#

203716

Funding Source

Brookfield Properties

Geographic Focus

USA: Alabama; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Idaho; Illinois; Iowa; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Mississippi; Missouri; Nebraska; Nevada; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York; North Carolina; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Washington; Wisconsin; Wyoming

Important Dates

Deadline: 03/24/23

Grant Description

Grants and in-kind support to USA Black- and minority-owned businesses to support the construction and expansion of businesses in eligible locations. Successful applicants will receive funding for store construction expenses, networking resources and opportunities, and individual business guidance and planning which will culminate in a four-week retail workshop led by industry experts. The purpose of the program is to bring more diversity to shopping centers and help support equity within the industry. Eligible businesses are located within designated commercial centers in specified locations.

Brookfield Properties is committed to partnering with, empowering, and providing resources for business owners of color.

Partner to Empower is a program dedicated to helping break down the systemic racial barriers that members of its communities face. Brookfield Properties helps business owners of color, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific Islander Americans, open brick-and-mortar stores in its malls by providing:

One-on-one business planning and guidance
Networking opportunities and resources
Funding dedicated to store construction expenses
A tailored, four-week Retail Workshop led by industry experts

At the core, Partner to Empower is about furthering equity in retail and increasing access to things every business owner deserves: the joy of entrepreneurship and the power of support.

Partner to Empower funding is specifically for the expenses associated with the build-out and construction of a physical store within a Brookfield Properties mall.

Recipient

Additional Eligibility Criteria

Brookfield Propoerties are looking for business owners of color, including but not limited to Black, indigenous, Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific Islander Americans, that:
- Are interested in opening a store within the Brookfield Properties U.S. mall portfolio.
- Have the correct funding to support their business operations and inventory outside of the funding that the program provides for store build-out expenses.
- Want to sign a license agreement — ideally for a minimum of two years.
- Are available to attend the Retail Workshop, our virtual, expert-led course on all things business and brick-and-mortar retail.

It is not required that the applicant reside in the state or region they would like to open their business in, nor does the business need to be previously located there —they just need an interest in having a physical store presence in that region.

Additional Geographic Information:

For select locations, see https://www.brookfieldproperties.com/en/our-businesses/retail/leasing/business-resources/partner-to-empower/locations.html

Ineligible

Not funded:
- Purchasing Inventory
- Staffing & Payroll
- Training
-POS Systems & Equipment
- CCTV
- HDR Recorders
- Elaborate Décor & Lighting
- Store Operation Costs

Pre-Application Information

Timeline (for Session 3; see eligible states immediately below. For specified locations within those states, see Grant Coverage Areas below):
- February 27: Applications open
- March 24: Applications close
- May 19: Final selection

Process:
After submitting your application, you will receive a response from the Brookfield Properties team within 5-7 business days regarding next steps. Here’s what you can expect if you’re selected to move forward at that time:
- Video interview with the Brookfield Properties team.
- Financial review to be completed.
- Final decisions can be made within a few days of your interview, up to two or three weeks after the application submission date closes.

FAQs: https://www.brookfieldproperties.com/en/our-businesses/retail/leasing/business-resources/partner-to-empower/faq.html

Term of Contract

The four-week virtual Retail Workshop is a master class on all things business and brick-and-mortar retail. Accepted applications can select which Retail Workshop session they would like to attend:
- June 5 – June 30
- Sept 18 – Oct 13
- January 2024

Contact Information

Apply online: https://www.brookfieldproperties.com/en/our-businesses/retail/leasing/business-resources/partner-to-empower/application.html

For questions about the program, please contact partnertoempower@bpretail.com.

US location:
Brookfield Properties
Brookfield Place New York
250 Vesey Street, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10281
212 417 7000
Contact form: https://www.brookfieldproperties.com/en/who-we-are/contact.html

Grants and In-Kind Support to USA Black and Minority-Owned Businesses to Open Stores and Expand Businesses in Eligible Locations

Partner to Empower

We have foundations for

We have grants for