Back to Business Kanawha Valley

Supporting Kanawha County’s Small Consumer-Focused Businesses

The Back to Business Kanawha Valley Grant Program offers grants to small consumer-focused businesses located in Kanawha County, West Virginia. The grants will support small businesses in Kanawha County to help provide temporary assistance as they resume operations following the COVID-19 pandemic. Awards are charitable and are intended to provide bridge/gap assistance for small businesses in Kanawha County. The funds are managed by the CADCO Foundation and Charleston Area Alliance. 

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Grant Program FAQs

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants:

  • Must be locally owned
  • Must be located in Kanawha County 
  • Restaurants, bars, retailers, coffee shops, salons, barbers and other personal services are the target recipients of this funding 
  • Businesses that are LGBTQ, minority, veteran or women-owned are target recipients 
  • Businesses that have been denied SBA loans, PP and other similar assistance are target recipients 
How can I use the grant money?

The funding is intended for operation expenses; rent, utilities, payroll, inventory, etc. The grant cannot be used to cover capital expenses or the costs for expansion or relocation. 

What information do I need to apply?

Be prepared to answer questions about how you plan to use the grant to manage your small business through the COVID-19 crisis. The goal of the Back to Business Kanawha Valley program is to help cover the gaps in your financial plan and help your business make it through these difficult times. 

You will also need:

  • Business License 
  • Most recent W-9
  • Employee and revenue information (before and after COVID-19) 
How and when will I be notified of my award status?

Grant decisions will be made as quickly as possible. Applicants should expect to hear back within 2-3 weeks of the applications deadline. 

What is the award amount?

The estimated average award for this fund is $2,500

What is the application window?

The Back to Business Kanawha Valley Grant Program will accept applications beginning Friday, June 19, 2020. The deadline to apply is June 29, 2020 at 5 p.m. 

Applications will be considered on their merit. This is NOT a first-come, first-served grant. 

What is the award decision process?

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee made up of Charleston Area Alliance staff and board members. The number of grants awarded and amounts will be determined based on the number of applicants. 

Application Information

The Back to Business Kanawha Valley Grant Program is intended to serve as gap funding for small, consumer-focused businesses located in Kanawha County that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant awards may be used for operation expenses including rent, utilities, payroll, inventory costs, etc. Grant monies may not be used to cover capital expenses or expenses related to relocating. 

The estimated average award for this fund is $2,500. The target dates for grant award distribution is 2-3 weeks after the application window closes. The Charleston Area Alliance reserves the right to limit applications pending response rates. 

Before applying, please see the applicant criteria in the above FAQs.