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Convenience Store Grants: How To Get Funding For Your Convenience Store
If you own a convenience store, grants and funding options can provide the financial support needed to start up or expand your store, update inventory, open new locations, hire staff and stay competitive in the retail industry. Business grants are an attractive alternative to traditional loans, providing much-needed capital. At American Funding Group, we help stores across the US obtain these valuable grants, enabling growth and success.
Benefits of Business Grants for Convenience Stores:
Business grants provide many advantages, including:
Inventory and stock support: Grants can help cover inventory expenses, ensuring shelves remain fully stocked. For example, the Faire Small Business Grant offers $5,000 in credit specifically for inventory purchases.
Access to Capital: Grants provide essential capital that can be used for various projects, including purchasing new equipment, securing working capital, covering operational costs, or expanding your facility.
No Repayment Required: Grants provide non-repayable funds, allowing convenience stores to invest in growth without incurring debtInnovation: Convenience stores can use grant money to modernize their operations, including updating appliances, upgrading displays, and investing in computerized inventory tracking systems
Recognition: Winning a grant can enhance your store’s standing within the community, potentially opening up more foot traffic and business opportunities.
Community Impact: Retail business grants can positively impact local communities by supporting job creation.
Whether you are a general contractor or a specialized construction company, securing business grants can be a game-changer for your venture.
Types of Convenience Stores That Can Quality for Business Grants
According to NACS, more people visit a convenience store each day than any other brick-and-mortar retail location. In fact, retailers conduct approximately 160 million transactions per day, meaning that on average half of the U.S. population is buying something at a convenience store every day. A convenience store is just around the corner from many Americans: 43% say they live within a mile of a c-store, and in rural areas, more than eight in 10 residents (86%) say these locations are within 10 minutes of their home and are often the only place in town to buy grocery items, fuel or other products or services. These stores are often the community gathering spot, providing essential services for the nearby residents like food, fuel, financial services or even mail.
Convenience stores play a major role in the U.S. economy by generating significant sales and providing millions of jobs. The c-store industry accounted for approximately $860 billion in sales and employed around 2.74 million people in 2023. Convenience stores create economic stability and growth.
Convenience store business grants provide essential financial support for inventory expansion, store renovations, and marketing initiatives. Types of convenience stores that can qualify for grants include:
Gas station convenience stores
Bodegas
Service stations with attached stores
Standalone convenience stores
Kiosks
Franchised convenience stores
Independent, single-location convenience stores
Convenience stores with food preparation areas
Stores selling fuel, food, beverages, and sundries
New retail businesses opening convenience stores
Existing convenience stores looking to expand or modernize
Convenience Store Business Grants
Below are just a few of the initiatives that offer business grants for convenience stores:
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program: Designed for minority-owned and socially disadvantaged businesses, this program offers grants, mentoring, and access to government contracts.
Bizee Fresh Start Business Grant: Up to $2,500 to cover startup costs, plus free formation services.
Galaxy Grant: Up to $2,750 grants for women, individuals of color, and entrepreneurs from low-income backgrounds.
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE): Up to $4,000 grants for small businesses with potential for growth.
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest: Awards up to $50,000 to small businesses, along with FedEx shipping credits and print services.
American Express® Backing Small Businesses: In partnership with American Express, the Backing Small Businesses grant program small businesses with community reach and/or cultural significance.
Rural Business Development Grants: Rural Business Development Grant money must be used for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more.
US Black Chambers: Offers $5,000 grants for Black-owned businesses.
Veteran-Owned Business Opportunities: The Department of Veterans Affairs offers grants and resources for veterans looking to start a business.
Women's Business Centers (WBCs) Grants: Financial assistance for women-owned stores or those primarily serving women.
Amber’s Grant for Women: The Amber Grant offers support for women-owned businesses. Each month, three $10,000 grants are awarded, by rotating categories.
HerRise Micro Grants: The HerRise MicroGrant offers financial support to innovative women who struggle to secure funding for their community-impacting small businesses.
CadenceCash’s Thrive Grant: new initiative offering a $5,000 quarterly award to support small, community-focused businesses, particularly those owned by women and minorities.
Grants for Minority-Owned Businesses
Numerous foundations and non-profit organizations offer grants to minority entrepreneurs in the c-store industry. These include grants for:
» African American-owned businesses
» Hispanic and Latino-owned businesses
» Asian American-owned businesses
» Native American and Alaska Native-owned businesses
» Pacific Islander-owned businesses
» Women-owned businesses
» Veteran-owned businesses
» Disabled-owned businesses
Requirements for C-Store Businesses Looking For Grants
If you search “How to qualify for a convenience store grant,” you may find that the requirements range widely. At American Funding Group, we have streamlined the requirements to create a straightforward application process for you:
» You must be a business owner in the United States
» You must have an active LLC, S-Corp, or S-Corp and an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
» You will be able to fill out one form with American Funding Group and answer 30+ questions to be paired with our best grant.
States We Serve
Business grants are available for businesses from every state throughout the U.S. Some business grants are county-specific, and aligned with the goals of local communities and economic development. Other grants are available regardless of the county in which your business is located. We have helped clients from all over the nation apply for grants and obtain funding:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Idaho
IndianaIowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
How American Funding Group Helps convenience stores Get Grants
Navigating the world of grant applications while also running your business can be complicated. At American Funding Group, we specialize in helping businesses identify and secure the grants they need. Here's how we support businesses through the process:
✓ You fill out a single application form on our website.
✓ Our system searches 7,000 grants
✓ Auto-apply for grants every month with our portal
✓ Grants are provided and distributed by private and federally-funded institutions listed on:
https://a4cb.org/services/grants
https://www.decaturedc.com/b2b
✓ The average industry approval rate is anywhere between 20 to 30 percent depending upon on the company.
✓ Once your grant is approved, it may take the grantor who approved it 30 to 90 days to distribute the funds to you.
Apply For Grant Funding Today
Grants offer a unique and valuable opportunity for business owners to access the funding they need to grow and succeed. At American Funding Group, we simplify the grant application process for you, to help you secure funding and drive your business forward. Tap into your business's potential with American Funding Group and take the first step to apply for a business grant today.
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