The Diverse Erie mini-grant program is designed to support businesses that serve the Erie County BIPOC community. BIPOC is an acronym standing for Black, Indigenous, People of Color.
In 2025, Diverse Erie’s investment focus was on making generational grants for health equity. This year they have the funding available to officer mini grants to help for-profit businesses.
According to Gary Lee, Chief Administrative Officer for Diverse Erie, applicants must have a proven track record, having established their businesses before June 10, 2021. “It’s about a three-page application,” Lee said. “You’re answering basic questions about your business, you’re providing a budget for your business. Moreover, we do want to see tax information, so we are requesting your last two years of tax.”
The minimum grant offered is $5,000, the maximum grant offered is $25,000. A review committee will consider the applications and make recommendations on the grant awards to the full Diverse Erie Commission. All that, Lee says, needs to happen within 60 days. “What we’re looking for is how long the business has been operating in this particular space, their revenue level, number of employees — what they’re planning for the future are they planning to hire additional individuals are they going to be doing renovations, how will this business impact and grow in Erie County,” Lee added.
And when the mini grants are awarded, Lee says the results will benefit far more than just those BIPOC businesses. “It’s the ripple effect. When we start to invest in businesses of color in Erie County, they’re going to invest their money with other businesses which happened to be non-POC businesses which is great, which means that everyone has an opportunity to share in the wealth and development of Erie County.”
The deadline to apply for a mini grant is March 20. Interested applicants can attend an informational session to learn more about the grants and application process. It is set for Friday March 6, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the Marquette Training Center at 10th and Peach.