Frequently Asked Questions
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All applicants are welcome to apply, but the entity must show proof of at least 51% Black ownership. The ownership must include United States citizenship and have their desired physical store location in the United States.
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Yes. All applicants are welcome to apply, but the entity must show proof of at least 51% Black ownership. So long as there is a black entrepreneur(s) with majority ownership, any member of the ownership team may apply for the grant.
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The awardee will be given a network of mentors who provide a wide range of expertise in business development, marketing, sales, community engagement, and more. The awardee will be granted a primary mentor(s) to connect with monthly to help them navigate the next 12 months.
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To receive funding, the grant recipient must have a business banking account and an incorporated business upon receiving the award. This does not have to be obtained at the time of applying.
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No, we aim to make the application accessible for all.
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Yes, scroll to the very bottom of the application and select save draft. You may need to create a free Jotform account, and you will be given a link to revisit your application.
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Unfortunately, you can not go back and edit your application. Give yourself time to write your answers before submitting them via the platform.
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Formats accepted include: pdf, doc, docx, xls, xlsx, csv, txt, rtf, html, zip, mp3, wma, mpg, flv, avi, jpg, jpeg, png, gif
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Formats accepted include: mp4, flv, mov, avi, 3gpp, mpeg4, webm, mpegs, wmv. Alternatively, you may upload a link to an external file (via Youtube, Dropbox, Google, Drive, etc), please make sure the video has unrestricted access.
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You do not need to know the specific street or building, but please offer details about the city and general area in that city where you would like to place your store. Being as specific as you can get is helpful here.
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The RIDC will accept applications for this program beginning Monday, March 11, until Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
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There is no appeal process for denied applications. Sorry!
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Finalists will primarily be contacted through the email entered on your application. You may also receive a phone call through the phone number provided on your application.
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Our application is hosted on Jotform, a secure platform with protection features to ensure the privacy and security of your information. To learn more about their safety features, click here. Additionally, all committee members have signed a non-disclosure agreement before reviewing your application.
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Your information will be shared, as necessary, with RIDC staff and individuals from our Selection Committee. All viewers must sign our Non-Disclosure Agreement, so your information is confidential.
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Nope!
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After receiving the grant, there are no further restrictions on allocating funds beyond those outlined in your application. However, using the funds strictly for the purposes you've specified in your proposal is essential. Adherence to the proposed budget and project plan is crucial, as it demonstrates integrity and accountability in managing the grant and how we can best help you open the retail store.
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Finalists will be contacted for further interviewing by the end of Summer 2024. All applicants not selected as finalists will be notified by the end of Summer 2024. Finally, the awardee will be selected by Fall 2024.
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Through a multistep review process conducted by the RIDC staff and a Selection Committee. The Selection Committee comprises individuals with many years of expertise in running retail and community engagement programs. The finalists will be called for virtual interviews before a recipient is selected.
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You can contact our team at rtb@runningdiversity.com. Please give us 1-2 weeks to respond.
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To support this grant program's future, please contact rtb@runningdiversity.com with some ideas you have in mind.