Empower Digital Grant Program

EMPOWER DIGITAL GRANT - OVERVIEW

Beginning in May 2021, $3,800,000 will be made available for the Empower Digital Grant. This grant program provides funding for the needs of Massachusetts-based small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals seeking tools and services to develop their digital capabilities in partnership with a Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) provider for up to $5,000.

SBTA providers are the door to this grant program for applicants. SBTA providers will sponsor small businesses to apply and support the effort of the small business applicants through technical assistance in the application process. The small business applicants, with the help of their SBTA sponsor, will work with a Qualified Professional in the area of their greatest digital need(s) to pursue a digital development plan.

Additional consideration will be given to businesses owned by women, minorities, immigrants, non-native English speakers, U.S. Military Veterans, disabled individuals, LGBTQ+, low-to-moderate income owners, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and businesses operating in Gateway Cities.

These funds were appropriated through the Commonwealth’s Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) and will be administered by MGCC. These funds will be made available for eligible businesses until funding is fully disbursed.

Click here to download a PDF of the full RFP.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

The Empower Digital Grant is open to participants who meet the following requirements. Eligible applicants must be a small business that:

Has been nominated by a Technical Assistance Provider through MGCC’s Small Business Technical Assistance Program
Is based and operating within Massachusetts
Is employing 1-20 FTE employees (including 1099s)
Is the business owners’ primary source of income
Has an annual revenue not exceeding $2,500,000
Has completed and submitted the Digital Assessment to their SBTA Sponsor for review
Has been in business for a minimum of one year at the time of application
- Requires 2020 or 2021 Federal Business Tax Returns or Schedule C
Is NOT owned by someone employed by the sponsoring SBTA
Is NOT a nonprofit, not-for-profit, or charitable organization
Is NOT a business supplying digital services to other businesses (e.g. website design/development, SEO, programming)
Is NOT a franchise with more than 2 locations, including those individually owned-and-operated (Franchises with up to 2 locations will be considered, but MGCC reserves the right to limit grant funding to one location)
Is NOT a real estate rental/sales business
Is NOT a lobbyist
Is NOT a cannabis related business

Owned by:

An individual of 18 years or older at the time of application
A United States citizen or permanent resident

ATTENTION MULTI-BUSINESS OWNERS: When applying, be aware MGCC reserves the right to limit grant funding for one business per owner.

This grant has helped in many ways. With updating the website and creating much needed content, SEO management and analytics. These are all areas I have not been able to focus on or did not know how to create/complete. THANK YOU MGCC for offering such a helpful program to small business owners!!! – Alicia Haddad, Alicia's Spice Co.

I enjoyed working with my SBTA Sponsor who helped me find a digital service provider for my business needs. These funds will help bring in more clients [through the website]. I am so grateful to have this grant to help my business... -Surinee Piwchuen, Lyla Beauty Bar

This grant allowed me to do things right... This grant allowed me to hire the kind of talent I knew I needed and the result is so superior to anything I have been able to do in the past. This allows me to be competitive to other major brands and go from looking homemade to professional. – Manjari Saha, Pariva

The grant has helped me update my website, set up SEO, marketing, and regular ads on social media and Google to promote my business and reach new customers. The grant made my online shop more accessible and easier to use for customers. -Hannah Jacobson-Hardy, Full Moon Ghee

It has allowed us to dramatically improve our web and social media presence. It has also connected us with some fantastic companies who we will use for ongoing support and brand building. -Joshua & Amanda Fedele, Stage Shop Candy

SMALL BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER (SPONSOR)

Prospective applicants will be nominated and sponsored by a Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) provider from MGCC’s network. Prospective applicants without an SBTA Sponsor will be introduced to a [few] relevant SBTA provider[s]. If the introduction results in the SBTA provider sponsoring the applicant, the applicant can move forward with applying for the grant.

Partnership with a SBTA Provider as a sponsor will help to maximize the potential positive impact of this grant. Our SBTA Providers’ understanding of the landscape of small businesses in Massachusetts, familiarity with small businesses’ areas of greatest digital needs, and extensive network of collaborators helps to optimize this effort.

The SBTA Sponsor will support the applicant in the following ways:

Review the applicant’s Digital Assessment for coherence and completeness before allowing them to begin the application process for this grant
Assist the applicant to complete the grant application by:
- Helping applicant review the results of their Digital Assessment,
- Helping to identify digital development goals,
- Helping to identify Qualified Professional service providers to achieve digital development goals,
- Scoping the project for achieving digital development goals,
- As necessary, implementing the digital development project, and
- Facilitating communication with all parties involved

APPLICATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Applicant needs to work with their SBTA Sponsor to access this grant program. Our list of potential SBTA Sponsors can be found on our website. The SBTA Sponsor will then help the applicant to fill out their application electronically, including any attachments, through MGCC’s online application portal, Submittable. Hard copies or electronic copies submitted in any other way, such as mailed in or emailed, will not be considered. Additionally, only complete, accurate, and legible applications will be considered.

Applicant must submit the following to MGCC for approval:

Proposal for digital development project (Digital Development Plan) including draft of proposed contract with Qualified Professional including deliverables, cost of the project, fees, time frame or start and end dates, and clear success metrics and deadlines to benchmark progress towards the growth of their business
- Businesses may choose to work with a Qualified Professional they select independently with approval from their SBTA Sponsor or choose from MGCC’s list of approved Qualified Professionals to develop their Digital Development Plan and identify the most effective digital solution(s).
Completed application (via Submittable) answering all the questions and providing information regarding the business status, services needed for digital development project, project costs, and projected outcome(s)
Supporting financial statements
- A complete copy (all schedules) of your filed 2019 (or 2020 if available) Federal Business Tax Return as submitted to the IRS. If you file Schedule C income, please upload that document in place of a Business Tax Return
- A complete copy (all schedules) of your latest filed Federal Personal Tax Returns (2019 or 2020) as submitted to the IRS for each business owner with 20% or greater ownership
Other supporting documentation
- A copy of project proposal(s) from each Qualified Professional(s) involved in the Digital Development Plan including scope of work, costs associated, and deadlines (as many proposals as necessary for the project)
- A copy of the business owner's valid photo identification (ID). This ID must match the business owner who is an authorized signer that signs this application. Please submit a photocopy of the front and back of the ID. Examples include (submit one): State-issued driver's license/ID card, U.S. Passport book or card, other valid, state or federal issued photo ID
- Copy of lease statement, tenant at will agreement, or mortgage statement for verification of brick-and-mortar, public-facing physical business location

TIMELINE

Grant Program Opens: June 15, 2021
Grant Program Closes: When funds are fully disbursed with the latest possible deadline of June 30, 2023.
Approval Process:
- This will be a rolling application. Existing applications will be reviewed by MGCC on a monthly basis. Applicants can expect to hear back within six weeks of the completed submission of their grant application, including all necessary supplementary documents and information.
Implementation Process:
- Applicant, with the support of the SBTA Sponsor, will communicate with the Qualified Professional(s) of grant project approval to sign project contract and begin work ASAP
  - MGCC must approve of the application before work begins with the Qualified Professional
- Applicant will abide the timeline detailed on the Digital Development Plan and agreed upon by the Qualified Professional(s), Small Business Owner, and SBTA Sponsor.
- Applicant will have up to 90 days to complete the project(s) detailed in the Digital Development Plan. If the Applicant needs more time, the SBTA Sponsor must ask MGCC for an extension
- Prior to funding the Applicant, MGCC will require the Applicant (Business Owner) to complete the BUSINESS OWNER PROJECT COMPLETION CERTIFICATION FORM including filling out their banking information and uploading their W-9.

Click here to download a PDF of How the Program Works
(pages 18-19)

TERMS

Funds must be used to develop their digital capabilities (e.g. Digital-based operations, ecommerce solutions, digital marketing, and social media engagement)
For every approved grant, MGCC will provide up to $5,000 less a $250 fee per applicant. Applicants will be required to certify project completion prior to MGCC fund release.
Above referenced $250 fee will be paid to the SBTA Sponsor
- SBTA Sponsor may choose to waive the $250 fee at will per applicant
Final approval by MGCC of the Digital Development Plan prior to releasing funds to the Business Owner
- Will require a signed contract with signatures from the Small Business Owner(s), and SBTA Sponsor, and the Finance or Grant Department of the SBTA Organization if required by the SBTA, prior to releasing funds to SBTA Sponsor
Grant covers customized services from Qualified Professional(s) above and beyond the services normally provided by the SBTA organization to achieve their digital development goals
Applicant will submit only one application for developing digital capabilities during the given fiscal year
Applicant, with the assistance of their SBTA Sponsor, also agrees to complete follow up reporting requirements including but not limited to: success metrics, benchmarks that have or have not been met, and updates on progress towards digital development goals
If a person owns multiple businesses and submits an application for each business, MGCC reserves the right to limit grant to one business per owner
Qualified Professional (digital service provider) cannot be employed by SBTA

APPROVED USE OF FUNDS

Fees for Qualified Professional Services/Consultants, as specified in their Digital Development Plan, including but not limited to:
- Designers (Graphic/Motion)
- Digital Marketing Strategists
- Social Media Strategists
- Website/Content Developers
- POS Implementation Specialists
- Photographers
- Writers
Software, as specified in their Digital Development Plan, including but not limited to software for:
- Design
- Financial/Bookkeeping
- POS/CRM
- Productivity/ Team Collaboration
- Social Media/SEO/Marketing
- Cybersecurity
- WiFi Upgrade/Internet packages
Other use of funds for the development of digital capabilities not specified by a Qualified Professional service/consultant must be justified clearly

EXCLUSIONS

These grants are intended to increase the digital capabilities of the applicant by providing funding for professional services, training, or digital products according to the Digital Development Plan detailed in the application. Grant funds are not intended for ongoing business expenses.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

A complete copy (all schedules) of your filed 2019 (or 2020 if available) Federal Business Tax Return as submitted to the IRS. If you file Schedule C income, please upload that document in place of a Business Tax Return
Copy of business lease statement, tenant at will agreement, or mortgage statement for verification of brick-and-mortar, public-facing physical business location
A copy of the business owner's valid photo identification (ID). This ID must match the business owner who is an authorized signer that signs this application. Please submit a photocopy of the front and back of the ID. Examples include (submit one): State-issued driver's license/ID card, U.S. Passport book or card, other valid, state or federal issued photo ID
Proposal for digital development project (Digital Development Plan) including draft of proposed contract with Qualified Professional including deliverables, cost of the project, fees, time frame or start and end dates, and clear success metrics and deadlines to benchmark progress towards the growth of their business
- Businesses may choose to work with a Qualified Professional they select independently with approval from their SBTA Sponsor, choose from MGCC’s list of approved Qualified Professionals, or partner with a Qualified Professional approved by an SBTA provider to develop their Digital Development Plan and identify the most effective digital solution(s).
A copy of project proposal(s) from each Qualified Professional(s) involved in the Digital Development Plan including scope of work, costs associated, and deadlines (as many proposals as necessary for the project)

AWARD PROCESS

Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) will review all applications to determine eligibility. MGCC will select grantees based upon eligibility criteria and preference prioritization.
Grant Calculator Tool

COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL FUNDS, LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Applicants must comply with all applicable laws.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT ON SUBMITTABLE

Visit the Help Center: https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/