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Apply by March 20th, 2025

The Key Bridge Small Business Direct Grant Program provides direct cash assistance for small businesses severely impacted by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in March of 2024. The program is funded through the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Fund at the Baltimore Community Foundation.

The overarching goal of this initiative is to address the:

  • loss of revenue and/or the increase of costs related to the bridge collapse for small businesses in the footprint of the Key Bridge,
  • need for businesses to adjust their operations model,
  • opportunity to invest in the small businesses in the communities most impacted by this tragedy.

Businesses may apply only through one of these three designated small business grant partners:

  • Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC): Businesses in Anne Arundel County, or other areas in Maryland
  • Baltimore Community Lending (BCL): Businesses in Baltimore City, or other areas in Maryland
  • Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC): Businesses in Baltimore County, or other areas in Maryland

Each of these partners is offering assistance in Spanish and in English in completing an application free of charge. To take advantage of this assistance with LEDC, please apply HERE by March 20th, 2025. For any further questions, or assistance with your application, please contact 202-759-8397.

To apply, a business must have been in existence for at least two years as of March 26, 2024. The grant size may range from $10,000 to $50,000, based on the revenues of the small business.

Apply now!

Apply by March 20th, 2025

APPLICATION CRITERIA:

The following criteria will be applied to the small business grants program: 

  • Small businesses should be located in the defined geography in Southeastern Baltimore County, Southeastern Baltimore City, Northern Anne Arundel County or another community in Maryland that faced severe disruption from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
  • Preference will be given to applicants located in Southeastern Baltimore County, Southeastern Baltimore City and Northern Anne Arundel County. Applicants located in Maryland that are not in Southeastern Baltimore County, Southeastern Baltimore City or Northern Anne Arundel County will have to make a compelling and demonstrable case that the business has been severely affected by collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
  • An applicant must have been financially affected by collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, demonstrate ongoing viability and feasibility, and show how grant proceeds will be used to improve or pivot business operations. The grant cannot be used for ineligible expenses that were reimbursed by any other Federal, State, Local government disaster relief programs including the Port of Baltimore Business Assistance Program administered by Maryland Department of Commerce, Francis Scott Key (FSK) Business Recovery Program administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, or the EIDL Loan Program administered by the United States Small Business Administration.
  • Business must have been in existence for at least two years as of March 26, 2024.
  • Business must have revenue of at least $50,000 for at least one of the past two years preceding March 26, 2024.
  • Business must have at least two employees which may include the owner(s).
  • Business must provide a 2023 profit and loss statement, along with a year-end 2024 balance sheet and 2024 profit and loss statement to demonstrate viability and feasibility.
  • Applicant must file business tax returns, and will be required to upload 2023 business tax returns or schedule C when applying for the grant.
  • Company or trade name must be registered with the Maryland State Department of Assessment of Assessments and Taxation and be in good standing or active.
  • Applicant will be required to fill out, sign and date an IRS W-9 form and upload the completed form during the application process.
  • Bank account should be a business banking account and should match business grant applicant.
  • Eligible businesses may qualify for additional loan programs and credit enhancements not funded by this small business grant program.

Click here to learn more about what documents you need for your application.

BCF established the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Fund to provide a secure way for Baltimoreans and those who care for them to contribute to the recovery and resilience of Baltimore as a result of the March 26 Key Bridge tragedy. This fund supports regional efforts to heal, respond and memorialize in coordination with adjacent efforts with our strategic partners. 

Apply now!

Apply by March 20th, 2025

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