Supporting Your GOALS
BLOOM Small Business Grant PROGRAM
The BLOOM Small Business Grant Program was originally created in 2018 by a group of summer interns to offer a unique funding opportunity to small businesses. These micro-grant programs have been utilized by existing small businesses for projects to improve operations or expand services, such as new signage, façade improvements, new equipment, and much more.
Previous grant rounds have been held with a focus on small businesses located in Downtown York, Downtown Hanover, and Trail Town Communities as well as small businesses owned by women, graduates of our small business development program, businesses who are YCEA members, and start-up childcare businesses.
Check out our upcoming grant cycles below and sign up for our enewsletter to be notified when grant guidelines are available and the application open.
Making a Difference
279 York County Small Businesses have received nearly $650,000 from BLOOM Grant programs
76% of all grants were awarded to businesses by women.
51% of all grants were awarded to businesses owned by persons of color.
York County Small Businesses
Application Opens – Monday, April 7
Virtual Information Session – Wednesday, April 16 (recording available here)
Application Closes – Friday, May 2
Pitch Competition – Thursday, May 22
Woman-owned Small Businesses
Application Opens – Wednesday, October 8
Virtual Information Session – Wednesday, October 15
Application Closes – Wednesday, November 5
Pitch Competition – Tuesday, December 9
BLOOM Grant for Small Businesses in York County
Guidelines AND APPLYING
The 2025 York County BLOOM Grant Program will award micro-grants to small businesses owned and operating in the County of York, PA for projects that will help them improve productivity, expand their services, or grow to the next level.
Download full guidelines here
Download sample application here
Download Itemized Budget Template here
Grant Criteria
Grants requests can range from $500 to $1,500 and will be considered based on need and potential impact. The BLOOM Business Empowerment Center reserves the right to make the decision to partially fund applicants.
- New Tangible improvements such as:
- Exterior façade or interior renovations
- Curb appeal/placemaking enhancements
- Lighting improvements; safety upgrades both interior and exterior
- Equipment such as improved commercial kitchen equipment, merchandising and display fixtures, point of sale technology upgrades to improve speed and customer experience.
- Space expansions/renovations
- Other material improvements to the business that would expand growth, business services, and business opportunity and/or make a positive impact on the overall local business environment.
- Adding or expanding outdoor seating or outdoor retail space
- Expenses related to marketing or advertising
BLOOM Grants cannot be used for:
- Owner compensation
- Payroll or payroll taxes
- Mortgage/lease or property tax payments
- Utilities, other recurring operating expenses
- Day to day operating supplies
- Credit card or other debt payment
Paperwork Required
- Itemized Budget to support grant request (Find template here)
- Documentation showing business filing registration with the state of PA. A copy of an EIN document from the IRS is not acceptable.
- A Profit and Loss Statement for the Business from June 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
- Full 2024 Business Tax Return. If the business is a sole-proprietorship, we will need the full business owner personal tax return. If 2024 tax return is not available, please submit 2023 tax return and IRS extension letter, if applicable.
- Completed and signed W-9 (available here)
- Business logo
- Once your application is received we will contact you to ask for a voided check from the Business Bank Account.
*The BLOOM Business Empowerment Center reserves the right to ask applicants for additional documentation for clarification purposes.
Pitch Competition
Finalists will be required to participate in the in-person pitch competition on Thursday, May 22 to present their prepared pitch detailing what their business does and how the proposed project will support their growth.
ELIGIBILITY
Businesses for this BLOOM Grant program must be located in York County, Pennsylvania and must have revenue generated as of January 2, 2025.
Businesses that have received a BLOOM grant in the past are not eligible to apply.
Only for-profit businesses are eligible. Nonprofits are not eligible.
Applicants cannot have more than 50 full or part-time employees.
Grant awardees must remain located and operating in York County for at least one year following the grant award disbursement.
Applicants must match 10% of the grant’s capital value to show commitment to the project being funded.
Grant recipients must use the allocated funds within 6 months of grant disbursement on the approved expense.
Applicants cannot be an employee or board member of YCEA, Downtown Inc, or an affiliate board; cannot be a family member of an employee or board member.
Applicants cannot be a federal, state, or municipal elected or appointed official.