Minding My Black-Owned Business

Minding My Black-Owned Business is a 12-week business development program to support start-up businesses with concept development, business planning, financial planning, and marketing. Businesses that meet program participation requirements are eligible to receive grant funds totaling $7,500.

Our first cohort will serve small businesses across industries and our second cohort will be dedicated to serving culinary businesses.

Please carefully read the eligibility and program participation requirements detailed below before completing your program application.

Minding My Black-Owned Business is designed to help small business owners refine their concepts, and create well-thought-out business plans and financial projections. Our goal is to help small businesses clearly articulate their competitive advantage in the marketplace, to effectively speak to their target market, and to set achievable revenue goals for business growth. Businesses will complete the program with a carefully considered business plan that will guide their business operations, and that can be used to apply for future small business grants from the City of San Francisco.

Businesses that meet program requirements will receive grant funds totaling $7,500 over the course of the 12-week program. Grant funds are intended to help entrepreneurs invest in their business growth and put their business plans in action. 

If you are a small business owner who would like support in formulating a strong business plan, we encourage you to apply!

To participate in the program, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• Applicants must have either a Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN); If accepted into the program, all participants will be required to submit an IRS W-9 form to receive grant funds
• Applicant’s business must be registered in San Francisco OR applicant must register their business in San Francisco during the duration of the program
• Applicant must be a for-profit business
• Applicant must be able to commit a minimum of four (4) hours per week to participating in the program (i.e. attending classes and completing homework assignments)

To be eligible to receive grant payments, participants must meet all of the following program participation requirements:

• Attend eleven (11) out of twelve (12) live, weekly workshops; Businesses who miss a workshop must notify SFHDC staff in advance, watch a video recording of the workshop, and complete the accompanying homework assignment prior to the next class. Please note that businesses are only permitted to miss one class maximum. Attendance is critical to business success in the program.
• Complete all weekly homework assignments on Google Classroom; Support will be offered to help participants learn how to use the platform and a portion of class time will be dedicated to starting homework assignments. All assignments will contribute to the development of your business plan.
• Meet twice per month (every other week) with your SFHDC Technical Assistance provider for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes each.
• Participating businesses will need access to a laptop or desktop computer, and high speed internet to fully participate in Zoom sessions and complete homework assignments. A computer will also help you conduct your regular business and facilitate your business growth.

If you need support accessing low-cost technology, please explore these options under $250: Chromebook, Dell Laptop. After attending the first class, you will receive a grant payment of $500 that you can use to purchase technology if needed. If you need any assistance exploring low-cost technology options, please contact Jess Mataka at jessica.mataka@sfhdc.org. 

Applications open on Thursday, April 21, 2022 and close Friday, May 13, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. PST. Applications can be submitted using our online form available at the link below. Please allocate 15 minutes to complete the program application. Applications must be completed in one sitting as progress cannot be saved. If you have any questions about the program application, please contact Pia Harris at pia.harris@sfhdc.org. 

Cohort 1: June 1, 2022 – August 24, 2022

Businesses who participate in the program will: 

• Develop a carefully considered business plan
• Improve understanding of key business concepts, including but not limited to the following:
  • Defining your unique value proposition
  • Analyzing your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges
  • Identifying your target market 
  • Developing a marketing strategy 
  • Building your personal and business credit 
  • Establishing sound accounting and record keeping practices
  • Creating profit and loss statements
• Build a supportive professional network of Black-owned businesses 
• Receive $7,500 in grant funds to invest in your business development 

Applications for Minding My Black-Owned Business will be prioritized based on the following criteria:

• Business owner is a current or displaced resident of the Fillmore/Western Addition neighborhood
• Business operations or services are currently, or will be, conducted in the Fillmore/Western Addition
• Business has not previously participated in or received funding from other Dream Keeper Initiative programs 
• Business has a clear and viable business description 
• Business is an existing client of the Fillmore Merchants and Neighborhood Collaborative or San Francisco Housing Development Corporation 

Thank you to our partners.

Interested in becoming an SFHDC partner?  Contact us now.