Application Overview

This page covers the sections and questions on our current 2024 grant application and is here as a resource as you complete your application. In each section, we’ve listed the questions so you can start to think through what you’d like to include. For any terms or concepts that are unfamiliar to you or you’re not sure if/how they apply to your business/idea, please do you own research to gain an understanding of these ideas and if they do or can apply to your project.

Your business may not qualify for this grant and that’s okay. If you have questions prior to applying, please email us at info@transformgrant.org. 

Character limits are included and indicated for each section on the JotForm application. You can write less, just make sure you’ve included enough information for us to understand what you do, how you do it, your values, and the significant change you’re making. We’re looking for an informed view of who you are and all that you’re doing. We often see one sentence answers that don’t fully respond to the prompt in a meaningful way. Our team needs enough information to grasp how you apply certain ideas to the work you’re doing and how you incorporate anticapitalist values and clearly make social impact through your work.

All questions in the application are required, with the exception of two noted below which depend on answers you give about being a returning applicant or applying as part of a team.

As you go through these questions, keep the four areas we must see in your application in mind:

• • • • You identify as part of at least one systemically marginalized group.
      • Your idea/business is aligned with TRANSFORM’s values, including antiracism and anticapitalism, and these values show up in how you run your business.
      • Your idea/business is social impact oriented and clearly challenges systems of oppression/addresses social injustices.
      • You are in financial need.

Section Quick Links
Personal & Business Information
All About You
Your Business or Business Idea
Financial Support
Grantee Mentorship

Personal & Business Information

These are the basics. Share how we can get ahold of you, what your business name is, and where we can find you on socials. Our grant is currently only open to folks who live in the U.S., regardless of citizenship status, although your project can be anywhere worldwide.

All About You

Let us get to know you! What makes you you? How do you approach being a business owner? If you have a team, tell us about your team. If you’re a returning applicant, share with us what you’d like us to see that’s changed since your previous application. 

• • • • Tell us about yourself. What are your identity factors? (500 characters)
      • How does your identity influence your worldview and how you approach your business? (500 characters)
      • (Only if “yes” for applying as part of team) You said you’re applying as part of a team. Please tell us about the identity factors of the other members of your team.(500 characters) 
      • (Only if “yes” for returning) As a returning applicant, what changes would you like us to notice since your last application? (250 characters)

Your Business or Business Idea

Remember you don’t have to be a fully established business to apply for The TRANSFORM Business Grant. Businesses in all stages of development are welcome to apply. It doesn’t matter if you’re a nonprofit either. We’re looking for our four core areas listed above.

• • • • In 1-3 sentences, tell us about your business or business idea. (200 characters)
      • You’ve told us what your business does. Now tell us about how you do what you do in 4-5 sentences. (500 characters)
      • What are your goals for your business? (500 characters)
      • Who else is doing this? How are you doing this differently? (500 characters)
      • What problem does your project solve or what need does it fill? (500 characters)
      • Tell us about the social impact of your business or idea. How does it challenge systems of oppression? (750 characters)
      • What is your theory of change? Explain how the actions you take as a business owner lead to the changes you seek to make. (750 characters)
      • What does anticapitalism mean to you? How does it show up in your business? (Please note, we are not looking for a Google/textbook definition of anticapitalism and rather want to understand how you understand anticapitalist values and how these values are integrated into your business.) (750 characters)
      • What are your defined indicators of success for your business? Are you currently tracking these? If so, how? (500 characters)
      • What does your workforce look like now? Do you have paid or unpaid staff or volunteers? Is just you? Are others helping out? Tell us about your division of responsibilities and team relationships. (Please note, if you have any investors or partners for your business, please mention them here.) (250 characters)

Financial Support

Financial need is one of our four main application criteria. The questions in this section help us understand what this means for your business. It’s also an opportunity for you to share how you’ll use the $1,000 that comes with The TRANSFORM Business Grant.   

• • • • Are you in financial need? Please describe what this means in terms of your business or business idea.(250 characters)
      • What is the total funding your business has received, including revenue if applicable? Please make sure you include all funding sources including personal contributions, income, special projects, crowdsourcing platforms, funds received in exchange for any percentage of equity/ownership, and gifts and grants, and any other sources of monetary income. (Enter a number in this field. If you have received any funding, enter.”$0.”)
      • For the number entered above, list all the sources of financial support or revenue you currently receive or have received. Use the table below to indicate source of funding, the amount received, and how it was used.
      • Grants of $1,000 are available. What will you do with these funds? (There is a table included in this question for you to list the item, amount of funding to be used, and the description of the item you’re looking to fund/purchase.)
      • How will these funds allow your business to grow in the short-term and the long-term in ways that are currently unavailable to you? (250 characters)

Grantee Mentorship

In addition to the $1,000, our grant comes with a year of customized business development coaching. In this section you can share what you’d like to focus on during this mentorship year.   

• • • • This grant includes pro bono access to expert coaches and other resources. What additional areas of support would your business benefit from? (You can select up to five areas from the list below.)

• • • • For each of the areas you selected above, tell us in 1-2 sentences how you’d like to see your business grow through mentorship in each area. (500 characters)

Questions?

Reach out to our team at info@transformgrant.org.