Downtown Grants connects entrepreneurs, small businesses, innovators, and start ups to resources and opportunities that will advance their growth. This program is a foundational component of our entrepreneurial ecosystem work. By investing in our Main Street community we are supporting the future of small businesses.
We are excited to offer this program again in 2025. Stay tuned for updates about this program and more by subscribing to the Ellsworth Business Pulse E-Newsletter.
DOWNTOWN GRANTS PROGRAM 2023
2023 Program Focus
The 2023 funding focus supported emerging entrepreneurs and small business owners alike. Mini-grants of $1,000 were available for start-up or expansion projects to help entrepreneurs and support economic opportunities in the city of Ellsworth. All downtown Ellsworth business owners and area entrepreneurs were eligible to apply.
Click HERE to read the 2021 article and HERE to read the 2023 article in Maine Biz about our grants program.
2023 Timeline:
Program Launch 1/30
Promotion of open Application 1/30 - 2/16
Application Close 2/17
Decision date 3/3
Distribution of funds week of 3/13
Grant Report Due 4/27
2023 Downtown Grants recipients left to right: Clothes Encounter, NISA Jewelry, Fogtown Brewing Company, On the Horizon Bakery, Union River Book & Toy, Steamy Buddha Yoga & Cafe, Little Red Flower Truck, Vixen Hollow Arts, The Gathering Place, Precipice Coffee, Poppy & Polka Dot Boutique.
Application Agenda:
All supporting documents (P&L or income statement, balance sheet or 2020 or 2021 tax returns) business plan and any other information you feel would be helpful for your funding request should be emailed separately to Heart of Ellsworth’s Executive Director, Cara Romano, at cara@heartofellsworth.org with "Downtown Grants 2023" in the subject line. This information will be kept confidential and only used to determine grant recipients. If you received funding in 2021 and did NOT submit the exit report you are not eligible for this round of funding. Only one (1) proposal per business will be considered in the 2021 funding cycle.
Possible Funding Proposal Ideas:
Development of alternative revenue streams
Hiring a consultant or advisor
Marketing/logo/brand development
Website creation
Attending a workshop or mentoring opportunity
Hiring an architect, engineer, or other specialists
Purchase of up-date of technology-related tool
Legal support
Other start-up needs
HOW TO APPLY:
Please use the application (button above) to submit a funding proposal, business plan (if you have one), and any other information you feel would be helpful to support your funding request. Proposals should specify area of need, project proposal, or general description for which you are requesting funding. Applicants will be scored using a rubric system with a maximum possible 45 points. Point breakdown: Overall Project 5, Goals /Objectives 10, Overall Plan 20, Budget 5, Impact, Innovation, and Resilience 5. All information will be kept confidential and only used to determine grant recipients.
