CB Grant 101: The ‘How To’ Guide for Successfully Applying for the Coalition Backing Black Businesses Grant
The Coalition to Back Black Businesses (CBBB) is not just a grant program — it’s a lifeline for Black entrepreneurs facing systemic hurdles. This guide takes a deep dive into every aspect of the application process, arming you with insider information, real-world examples, and tools to differentiate yourself. Let’s get started.
The Coalition to Back Black Businesses (CB): Mission, Partners, and More
What is the CBBB?
The CBBB, launched in September 2020, is a joint venture of the Visa Foundation, National Black Chamber of Commerce, US Black Chambers, Inc., Walker’s Legacy, and others. Its goal is to fight racial inequity by offering black-owned small businesses financial grants, mentorship, and training.
Why Was the CBBB Created?
Systemic Challenges: Black-owned businesses encounter unique challenges, including:
- Higher Rates of Denial: Loans were 40% more likely to be refused than for whites-owned businesses.
- Dismal funding: Black entrepreneurs receive just 1.3% of venture capital.
- Pandemic Impact: With 41% of Black-owned businesses destroyed by COVID-19 in 2020, the case for targeted relief has grown.
Part 1: Grant Structure and Long-Term Goals
- Phase 2: Phase 1 data — $5,000 grants to 600+ businesses (2023 data).
- Phase 3: $25,000 each to 50 high-performing Phase 1 awardees.
- Total Commitment: Beyond $10 million until 2025
Non-Financial Support:
- Free Training: Financial literacy, marketing, and other modules on scaling
- Mentorship: Matching with industry professionals (e.g., retail veterans, accountants).
Success Metrics
- 6 months after grantees joined the Program, 82% reported increased Revenue.
- 67% of businesses hired additional staff after receiving funding.
Eligibility Criteria: Examining the Requirements
In-Depth Eligibility Breakdown
Ownership Requirements
- 51% Black Ownership:
Proof Options:
- IRS Form 4506-C: Confirms tax compliance and ownership
- Notarised Affidavit — a sworn statement declaring ownership
- Business Setup Documents: Articles of Incorporation/LLC agreements naming owners
- Exceptions: Family-owned businesses must have a signed shared ownership agreement.
Business Size and Revenue
- Employee Cap: ≤20 full-time employees (part-time employees not considered).
- For Revenue: ≤$1 million per year (based on 2022–2023 tax returns).
- Startups – Operational ≥ 6 months, bank statement if not tax return
Geographic and Industry Focus
- Location: Must do business in the U.S. (home-based, brick-and-mortar, or mobile companies are eligible).
Priority Industries:
- Retail: Boutiques, bookstores, salons.
- Hospitality: Restaurants, food trucks, B&BS.
- Health and Wellness: Wellness studios, mental health services.
- Services for Professionals: IT services and marketing agencies.
Sectors in which you may not operate: Gambling, adult entertainment, cryptocurrency, and firearms
Community Impact Alignment
Businesses need to show how they elevate under-resourced communities. Examples:
- Hiring locally.
- Working with schools or nonprofits.
- Offering low-cost services in “economic deserts.”
The whole grading process, from registration to application submission
First step : CB Portal Registration
Link to the Portal: CBBB Grants Portal.
Account Setup:
- Use a business email (hello@yourbusiness.com).
- Have your EIN (Employer Identification Number) and business address ready.
Common Hiccups:
- Browser Troubles: Use Chrome or Firefox, and turn off pop-up blockers.
- Delays in Verification: Check spam to see if the confirmation email went there.
Step 2: Prepare (Complete Document Checklist)
| Document | Purpose | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Business License/Registration | Validates the legal operation | Make sure it’s not expired; digital copies are acceptable |
| 2022–2023 Tax Returns | Checks revenue and compliance | Remove sensitive information (e.g., SSN) |
| Ownership Proof | Verifies Black ownership ≥51% | If ownership is divided, combine several proofs |
| Voided Check/Bank Statement | For grant disbursement | It’s not personal; personal checks only work on a business account |
| Business Plan (Optional) | Bolsters Phase 2 applications | Focus on 12-month or community impact |
Nail that ”Business Impact” essay.
This essay allows you to put a human face on your business. Pattern your success and then some on this winning format:
Section 1: The Challenge
Example:
“We lost 80 per cent of our income the day the pandemic closed our soul food restaurant in Houston. “We had no outdoor seating or delivery infrastructure and permanently closed.”
Section 2: The Solution
Example:
“With a $10,000 grant, we could buy a food truck, which would give us access to customers in nearby food deserts. We will also implement a ‘Pay-What-You-Can’ meal program for low-income families.”
Section 3: Community Impact
Example:
“The truck will create three jobs for local single parents and be able to provide them 200 free meals per month through partnerships with homeless shelters.’
Pro Tips:
Use Data: “In 2022, our pilot program served 500 meals, leading to a 30% increase in revenue.”
No Jargon: Say “speed up meal prep time” instead of “optimise workflows.”
Answer 4: Submit it, as well as the due dates
2024 Deadlines:
- First Path: October 20, 2024 (11:59 PM EST).
- Phase 2: January 20, 2025.
- Late Submissions: There are no exceptions to this rule; however, applicants can begin drafting their application at an early stage and save their progress on the application portal.
The Golden Rules You Can Follow to Write a Winning Application
THE STRATEGY 1 — LIVE INTO CB’S CORE VALUES
The CB gives priority to businesses with:
- Promote Equity: E.g., an affordable daycare centre.
- Foster resilience (e.g., a Black-owned HVAC company providing training to formerly incarcerated individuals.
Example Mission Alignment:
“Our plant nursery buys seeds from Black-owned farms and donates 10% of profits to urban gardening programs in Detroit.”
Strategies #2: Use Storytelling
Weak Statement:
“We need to spend some money to purchase equipment.”
Strong Statement:
“Our ageing bakery oven broke down during peak holiday orders last winter. We lost $ 8,000 in revenue and had to lay off two employees—a devastating blow to our team. A8,000itrevenueandhadtodisposerofemployees—a devastating blow to our team. A 5,000 grant would go toward replacing the oven, which would enable us to fulfil wholesale contracts and rehire staff.’
Strategy #3: Be Transparent About Your Finances
Include a Grant Budget Table:
| Expense | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Refrigerator | $6,000 | Store perishables for catering orders. |
| Website Overhaul | $2,500 | Allow for booking and payment online. |
| Marketing Campaign | $1,500 | Local contact follows social ads to event planners. |
ROI Explanation:
“The refrigerator will allow us to win $25,000 in annual catering contracts, and the website redesign would likely boost online sales by 40%.”
How to Avoid Common Mistakes (with Real Examples)
Error 1: Forms Are Incomplete or Incorrect
Case in point: A bakery in Detroit was rejected because its tax returns were not signed.
Solution: Follow the CBBB’s Document Checklist.
Mistake — 2: Failing to Consider the Effect on the Community
Weak Example: “We will use proceeds to grow our product offerings.”
Strong Example: “Expanding our product line will allow us to partner with Black-owned farms, thus creating a sustainable supply chain for 10 small local farms.
Mistake 3: Rushed Essays
Tip: Write three drafts:
- First Draft: Write freely.
- Second Draft: Shorten structure and values.
- The Third Draft: Editing for understanding and tone.
After Submission: Timeline and Next Steps
Clear Guidelines for Applicants
Review Process Explained
Week 1–2 — Streamlining: Eligibility Assessment and Completeness Check
What Happens:
A specialised team of administrators reviews your application to ensure that it meets baseline criteria (e.g., geographic eligibility, submission deadlines, required documentation).
Common Pitfalls: Missing signatures, incomplete financial statements, and not meeting age/education requirements.
Pro Tip: Applications identified as such are not automatically deemed ineligible; they may be given up to a 7-day grace period to edit (varies by Program).
Week 3–4: Evaluation by the Committee
Who Gets Involved: A diverse panel of 5–7 experts (e.g., people in your field—industry leaders, past grant recipients, financial auditors).
Evaluation Criteria:
- Essays: Originality, relevance to program goals, clarity of impact (1–10 scored by rubric).
- Financials: Budget to be sustainable, based on need, and cost-effective.
- Fairness Measures: Double-blind review of essays (identifiers removed) to minimise bias.
- Conflict of Interest: The Panellists recuse themselves if they know any of the applicants.
In weeks 5,6: Making the final decisions and notifying candidates
Decision Types:
- Approved: Partial or complete funding (also, e.g., 80% of the requested amount).
- Waitlisted: Set aside for reconsideration if applicants who were approved decline.
- Rejected: Individual comments available upon request (e.g., “Lack contingency on budget”).
You will be notified by email and receive an update on the portal. To ensure equity, there were no phone calls , which was maintained.
Delays? Timelines may be extended by 1–2 weeks due to high volume or any technical issues.
The following steps to take if you are selected
Sign the Grant Agreement
Key Clauses:
- Allowable Costs: Money is limited to project expenses (e.g., equipment, travel, software)—exclusions: Personal debit and irrelevant overhead.
- Reporting: Each quarter, financial reports + final impact assessment.
- Audit Rights: The Program may request receipts or conduct random audits.
- Deadline: Signed contract to be delivered within five business days of receipt
Attend Orientation Webinar
Agenda Highlights:
- Compliance Training: Documents of expense, avoid misallocation.
- Scholar-Mentor Matching: Get matched with your mentor (e.g., a previous grantee) for continued support.
- Q&A: Clear up ambiguities (e.g., “Can I use funds for conference fees?”).
Did you miss the Live Session? Mandatory recording + quiz (to verify comprehension)
Receive Funds
Disbursement Process:
- Direct deposit into a verified bank account (international applicants should verify currency/transfer details).
- Available in one lump sum or milestone-linked phases
- Timeline: 10 business days after orientation (excluding banking holidays)
Beyond the Basics: What to Expect in the Long Run
As you progress beyond that basic phase, here’s how the long-term structure and support will work. These pieces aim to promote continued growth, reflective practice, and a lasting community connection.
Three-Month Progress Report: Midterm Check-In
At the midpoint of the Program (Month 3), participants will be asked to submit a detailed progress report by filling out a template. This check-in achieves some core goals:
- Track Milestones: Review the goals you set at the start of the Program and consider how far you’ve come.
- Spot Potential Roadblocks: Provide insights into any issues or unanticipated roadblocks for early intervention or assistance.
- Refocus Strategy: Update your roadmap based on where you are now and where you want to be next.
- Teaming Feedback Loop: Mentors + program facilitators will review the reports and provide personalised feedback as guidance/next steps
Mentorship: Monthly One-on-One Sessions
In addition to supporting your development, you will take part in monthly 1-to-1 mentoring sessions. These are tailored to your journey and include:
- Troubleshooting Support: Get help troubleshooting blockers or polishing strategies.
- Training and Development: Discover where they can improve and get suggestions or resources tailored to them
- Accountability Check-ins: You’ve got this!
- Private space: Talk about complex topics or hard choices in a safe place where support is available.
Deliverables: Final Video & Report
At the end of the Program, you will summarise your experience and results in two deliverables:
- 10-Minute Video: A brief video summarising your experience, results, and learnings. This is your highlight reel if it were your highlight reel.
- Written Report: A written summary outlining your process, data, or metrics (if applicable), key takeaways, reflections from your project, and ideas for next steps or scalability.
Most of these deliverables help showcase your work, as well as some artefacts that can be used in your portfolio or other future works.
Alumnus Network: Continual engagement
Access to an exclusive alum network after completing the Program. This includes:
- Private Forums: Join ongoing dialogue with previous cohorts, give feedback, or ask for help.
- Find collaborations: Find possible collaborations or projects together.
- Events & Webinars — Invitations to learning sessions, panels, or networking events.
- Resources: Curated information, funding opportunities, and community announcements.
If Rejected:
- Feedback Request: grants@cbbb.org (no guarantees on response)
- Reapply and Revise: 65% of successful applicants reapply.
- Success stories: learning from previous winners
Case Study 1: Bloom & Bark (Philadelphia, PA)
- Grant: $5,000 (Phase 1).
- Funds Distribution: Invested in inventory software and started a subscription box
- Impact: 120% revenue growth; 2 part-time hires
- Key Quote: “The CBBB’s mentorship helped us get bulk pricing with suppliers, which increased our profit margins threefold.”
Dear Doctor, Case Study 2: TechBridge Solutions (Charlotte, NC)
- Grant: $25,000 (Phase 2).
- Use of funds: An app that matches freelancers with black-owned businesses
- Impact: Onboarded 200+ businesses; reached $100,000 seed funding.
FAQ: Are You Hiding Something?
Q1: “I have bad credit. Can I apply?”
✅ Yes! CBBB doesn’t check credit scores.
Q2: “Are grants taxable income?”
✅ Yes. Consult a tax professional for liabilities.
Q3: “Can I reapply if rejected in Phase 2?”
✅ Yes. Highlight measurable growth in your new application.
Q4: “Is the ‘≤20 employees’ rule strict?”
⚠️ Very. Independent contractors don’t count; part-time employees do.
Q5: “Can grants pay existing debt?”
❌ No. Funds must fuel future growth (equipment, hiring, marketing).
Additional Resources
- CBBB Business Toolkit: Budget, pitch deck, K and SWOT analysis templates.
- Webinars: “Writing a Grant Essay That Stands Out” (Archived here).
- Localisation: Locate CBBB-linked mentors through the US Black Chambers Directory.
Final Words: Take the Leap
The CBBB grant is not simply a money grant—it’s a chance to join an ecosystem of support. Apply today. And remember: Your business is not just a business; it’s a change vehicle.
