FAQs

• Small Businesses:
  • Valid business with EIN number and W9.
  • At least 1 year in operation.
  • Less than 25 employees.
  • Less than $500,000 gross revenue in last year.
  • Located in Detroit, Highland Park, or Hamtramck.
• Non-Profits: Due to grant funding requirements, NeighborHUB will not be accepting applications for nonprofits for Cohort 8.

• Small business applicants can request up to $15,000 to implement their project to improve their business. Small business grants should be used to improve the business, including, but not limited to: 
  • Building improvements 
  • New or additional signage 
  • New equipment 
  • Interior updates 
  • Additional delivery/mobile vehicles 
  • Enhancing online operations 

• EIN number 
• W9 
• Name of the primary business owner and building owner (if not the same.) 
• Most recent tax information, and recent profit and loss statement. 
• Photos/renderings and letters of support from other organizations are encouraged.  

The best place to share your story is in the “Project Proposal” section of the application. A compelling story is essential to making your application stand out from other submissions that could overlap in mission and location. For example, sharing the history of why the organization or business was created and how it has evolved into where it is today.  

For application writing assistance, please contact Michigan Community Resources. 

Applications open on Sept. 12, 2025.

Following the application deadline, an advisory group made up Chamber staff and representatives from various small business organizations will evaluate each proposal. Criteria that will be evaluated includes: 

• How would these improvements help the business grow or survive? 
• What are the goals and outcomes? 
• How will these goals and outcomes be measured and assessed? 
• Number of new customers, increased revenue, more products created, ect.  
• How well does the applicant tell their story? 
• Can the project be completed within the 12-month timeline? If not, is there identified funding to continue the project after the grant period ends? 
• Does the applicant plan to collaborate with other organizations or businesses in the neighborhood? 
• What will the grant money be used for? 
• What are the risks of the project? 
• Is there a leader being held accountable for project implementation? 

Funding will be distributed to grantees in January 2026 and available through December 2026. Grantees are expected to participate in at least three meetings with other grantees to discuss challenges, successes, and capacity building throughout the year.  

Additionally, grantees are required to submit a monthly progress report about their projects through the grant term and submit a final grant report at the end of the year with final outcomes, lessons, and best practices.