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Flint and Genesee Chamber Foundation

Annual Giving
$9.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M
Decision Time
2mo
Success Rate
27%

Flint and Genesee Chamber Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $9,599,357 (2020)
  • Success Rate: 27% (based on Restart program: 144 awarded from 538 applications)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program; typically 4-8 weeks
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $15,000 (depending on program)
  • Geographic Focus: Genesee County, Michigan; some programs Flint-only

Contact Details

Primary Contact:

Chamber Foundation Office:

  • Location: Flint, Michigan
  • Parent Organization: Flint & Genesee Group

Overview

The Flint and Genesee Chamber Foundation (EIN 23-7420247) was established to receive and administer funds for educational, scientific, and charitable purposes benefiting the public welfare of Genesee County, Michigan. Operating with zero employees, the Foundation functions as a pass-through entity that partners with major funders to deliver grant programs supporting small business development and economic revitalization in the Flint and Genesee County region.

The Foundation experienced significant growth in 2020, distributing $9.6 million in grants—representing a dramatic increase from prior years. This surge reflected expanded partnerships with corporations and foundations responding to COVID-19 economic impacts. The Foundation operates as the fundraising and grant-administration arm of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, working closely with partners including General Motors, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Ruth Mott Foundation, Consumers Energy, and JP Morgan Chase.

Since 2019, the Foundation has administered multiple competitive grant programs that have supported over 200 local small businesses through various initiatives focused on business reopening, growth, and neighborhood revitalization.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation administers several distinct grant programs, each funded by specific partners:

Moving Flint Forward Small Business Grant Program

  • Amount: Up to $10,000 for new applicants; up to $5,000 for alumni
  • Focus: Flint neighborhood businesses
  • Funding Partner: General Motors (contributed $1.43 million since 2019)
  • Application: Competitive, annual cycle through online portal
  • Note: Reimbursable grant requiring minimum $3,000 in available business funds

Small Business Support Hub Grant Program

  • Amount: $5,000 (start-ups 1-3 years); $10,000 (micro businesses with <10 employees); $15,000 (small businesses with 10+ employees)
  • Geographic Focus: All of Genesee County
  • Funding Partner: U.S. Department of Treasury via Michigan Economic Development Corporation
  • Application: Letter of Intent followed by full application
  • Requirements: Participation in 4-week training cohort; on-site visit from program staff

Restart Flint & Genesee (Historical Program)

  • Amount: $1,000 - $5,000
  • Focus: COVID-19 recovery for small businesses
  • Results: 144 businesses funded from 538 applications (27% success rate)
  • Special Initiative: $350,000 dedicated to Black-owned businesses (75 recipients)

Priority Areas

The Foundation's grant programs prioritize:

  • Small business development and growth across all sectors
  • Neighborhood revitalization in Flint
  • Minority-owned businesses, particularly Black-owned enterprises
  • Economic recovery and resilience
  • Job creation and retention in Genesee County

Eligible business types include:

  • Retail establishments
  • Food service and hospitality
  • Personal care services (salons, barbershops)
  • Construction and landscaping
  • Manufacturing (non-critical)
  • Professional services

Grant funds may be used for:

  • Building and property improvements
  • Equipment and machinery
  • Inventory and raw materials
  • Marketing and promotions
  • Technology systems (POS, online sales platforms)
  • Licensing, permits, and certifications
  • Training programs and consulting services
  • Safety equipment and modifications

What They Don't Fund

  • Payroll and staffing costs
  • Rent or mortgage payments
  • Debt service on federal, state, or local taxes
  • Franchises (explicitly excluded)
  • Nonprofits (ineligible for small business programs)
  • Businesses operating outside Genesee County (or Flint, for Moving Flint Forward)
  • Businesses operating less than 1 year (for most programs)

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

  • Tim Herman, President & CEO, Flint & Genesee Group

    • Quote: "Small businesses are vitally important to the economic well-being of Flint & Genesee."
    • Quote: "Small businesses are critical to the health of our local economy and we need to help as many as possible stay open."

  • Tracy Joseph, Business Support Manager, Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance

    • Primary contact for grant programs
    • Administers Small Business Help Desk

  • Karena Hamlet, Program Director of Business Services, Economic Alliance

    • Quote: "With the second round of grants from the Small Business Support Hub, we wanted to be intentional about hitting businesses at all stages of growth."

The Foundation operates under the governance structure of the Flint & Genesee Group, with the Chamber Foundation serving as the fundraising and grant-distribution arm. The organization maintains close relationships with major institutional funders in the region, particularly the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, which has provided capacity-building support including a $250,000 grant (2006-2009) during the Chamber's organizational consolidation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. All grant-making occurs through specific, funded programs announced publicly with defined application periods. Applications are only accepted when programs are actively open.

For Moving Flint Forward:

  1. Visit the online application portal at DevelopFlintandGenesee.org/Moving-Flint-Forward
  2. Create a unique profile using "Create New Account" at grantinterface.com
  3. Complete Letter of Intent (LOI) to determine eligibility
  4. If LOI approved, complete full application

For Small Business Support Hub:

  1. Submit Letter of Intent by specified deadline
  2. Await eligibility determination
  3. Complete full application if invited

Required Documentation (typical across programs):

  • Business description and history
  • Statement of need
  • Detailed budget showing how funds will be used
  • Business finance statement (proof of ability to pay expenses first for reimbursable grants)
  • Bank account or credit card statement showing minimum available funds ($3,000 for Moving Flint Forward)
  • Current business plan
  • Up to three professional or industry references

Decision Timeline

Application Review: 4-8 weeks from application deadline

Review Process: Applications are evaluated by committees comprising:

  • Corporate partner representatives (e.g., General Motors)
  • Local grant-making organization representatives
  • City of Flint officials (for Flint-specific programs)
  • Community members
  • Business leaders

Separate committees review Flint vs. out-county applications to ensure geographic equity.

Notification: Applicants notified via email; public announcements made for all awardees

Success Rates

Restart Flint & Genesee (2020):

  • Applications received: 538
  • Grants awarded: 144
  • Success rate: 27%
  • Geographic breakdown: 170 from Flint; 368 from out-county communities

Moving Flint Forward (2024 round):

  • Grants awarded: 16 new businesses + 10 alumni businesses

Small Business Support Hub (2024):

  • Grants awarded: 25 businesses

Reapplication Policy

Alumni programs exist for repeat applicants. The Moving Flint Forward program explicitly includes an "alumni" category offering smaller grants ($5,000 vs. $10,000) to previous recipients, indicating that successful grantees can reapply in subsequent years.

No published waiting period for unsuccessful applicants to reapply, though competitive programs typically run annually.

Application Success Factors

Program-Specific Insights

Financial Readiness: For reimbursable grants like Moving Flint Forward, applicants must demonstrate minimum available funds ($3,000) and ability to pay expenses upfront before reimbursement. This requirement eliminates applicants without cash reserves or credit access.

Competitive Nature: With success rates around 27% based on the Restart program, applications must be compelling and clearly demonstrate need, feasibility, and community impact.

Priority Populations: The Foundation's programs show strong commitment to Black-owned businesses. In the Restart program, 54% of applicants self-identified as Black/African American, and $350,000 was specifically designated for Black-owned businesses, resulting in 75 awards.

Sector Distribution: Historical data from Restart Flint & Genesee shows funded businesses came from:

  • Barbershops/salons: 20.6%
  • Retail: 18.4%
  • Bars/restaurants: 12.6%
  • Construction/landscaping
  • Non-critical manufacturing

Leadership Guidance

Tim Herman emphasizes the critical importance of small businesses to regional economic health. The Foundation's approach focuses on businesses that create jobs, serve neighborhoods, and demonstrate capacity for growth beyond the grant period.

Karena Hamlet's statement about being "intentional about hitting businesses at all stages of growth" indicates the Foundation values supporting businesses across the developmental spectrum—from start-ups to established small businesses seeking expansion.

Technical Assistance

Pre-application support is available through Tracy Joseph and the Small Business Help Desk. Applicants are encouraged to contact program staff with questions before applying.

Post-award requirements include training cohorts (4 weeks for Small Business Support Hub) and site visits, indicating the Foundation values ongoing engagement and technical assistance beyond just check-writing.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Monitor announcement cycles carefully: All grants are program-specific with defined application windows. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals outside active programs.

  • Ensure financial readiness: For reimbursable grants, you must have cash reserves or credit to pay expenses first. Document this clearly in your application.

  • Emphasize community impact: Programs prioritize businesses serving Flint neighborhoods and Genesee County communities. Demonstrate how your business strengthens local economic vitality.

  • Black-owned businesses are a priority: Historical funding patterns show strong commitment to supporting African American entrepreneurs, particularly in Flint.

  • Prepare for the full journey: Grants often require training participation and site visits. Show willingness to engage beyond just receiving funds.

  • Leverage technical assistance: Contact Tracy Joseph before applying. The Small Business Help Desk provides free support that can strengthen your application.

  • Build multi-year relationships: Alumni programs reward successful grantees with opportunities for additional funding. View initial grants as building blocks for ongoing partnership.

  • Applications are competitive: With success rates around 27%, invest time in a compelling narrative that clearly demonstrates need, feasibility, detailed budget planning, and growth potential.

References

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