CRI Downtown Business Collaboration Grant Program

CRI Downtown Business Collaboration Grant Program

Program Overview: The Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. (CRI) Downtown Business Collaboration Grant Program aims to foster collaboration among local businesses in the downtown district by providing financial support for promotional activities. This program encourages businesses to work together to create events and activities that will increase foot traffic, drive sales, and enhance community awareness of the downtown area.
Grant Details

Eligibility:

· Open to three or more business owners located within the CRI downtown district footprint.

· Business owners must collaborate on a specific event or activity that promotes the downtown area.

Grant Amount:

· Eligible businesses can receive a grant with a maximum grant amount of $1,500 per event or activity until all funds for the program are expended. Grant applications are reviewed on a first come first serve bases.

Use of Funds:

· The grant will specifically cover costs associated with promotional advertising for the event or activity.

Application Process

Event/Activity Plan Submission:

· Businesses must submit a detailed plan outlining the event or activity they wish to conduct, including:
1. Description of the event/activity
2. Proposed date(s) and location
3. Expected outcomes (e.g., increased foot traffic, sales, community engagement)
Strategic Promotion Plan:

· Applicants must also provide a strategic promotion plan that includes:
1. Identification of the target audience: businesses should define who they intend to attract to the event.
2. Location of the target audience: businesses should outline where their target audience can be found (e.g., demographic data, community groups).
3. Promotion strategies: describe how they will reach their target audience through various channels (e.g., social media, local newspapers, flyers, community boards).
Collaboration Agreement:

A formal agreement between the collaborating businesses outlining their roles and responsibilities in organizing and promoting the event may be required.

Goals of the Program

Increase Foot Traffic:

· Encourage families and community members to visit the downtown district, thereby boosting local sales.

· Enhance Community Awareness: Promote the diverse offerings of downtown businesses and create a vibrant atmosphere through collaborative events.

· Strategic Business Thinking: Assist businesses in recognizing their target markets and developing effective promotional strategies to engage them.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

· Clarity and feasibility of the event/activity plan.

· Effectiveness and creativity of the strategic promotion plan.

· Potential impact on foot traffic and sales in the downtown district.

· Level of collaboration among the participating businesses.

Reporting Requirements

Grantees will be required to submit a report after the event, including:

· Summary of the event/activity conducted.

· Promotional materials used (e.g., flyers, social media posts).

· Attendance numbers and sales data.

· Feedback from participants and businesses involved.

· Paid receipts for all promotional materials

Timeline

Application Period: Grants are available until all program funds are expended January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026. Applications are due on the first Thursday of the month you would like to committee to review your application. Grant applications are reviewed on a first come first serve bases.

Grant Award Notification: Grants applications will be reviewed on the second Thursday of each month. Grant applications must be received by the first Thursday of the month you would like to committee to review your application. An email notification will be sent within two weeks after the committee has reviewed your application.

Final Report Due: Reports are due within 30 days of event completion

Conclusion

Through the CRI Downtown Business Collaboration Grant Program, we aim to strengthen the sense of community and economic vitality in the downtown area. By collaborating on events and strategically promoting them, businesses can create memorable experiences that benefit both their establishments and the community as a whole.

Grant Application Rating System

To ensure fair and transparent evaluation of all grant applications, the following rating system will be used. Each application will be scored on a scale of 1 to 5 for each criterion, with 1 being "poor" and 5 being "excellent." The total score will determine the eligibility and ranking of the application for funding.

Rating Criteria

Event/Activity Plan (Total: 20 Points)

· Clarity of Description (1-5 points)

· Feasibility of the Event/Activity (1-5 points)

· Expected Outcomes (1-5 points)

· Family-Friendly Focus (1-5 points)

Strategic Promotion Plan (Total: 20 Points)

· Identification of Target Audience (1-5 points)

· Location of Target Audience (1-5 points)

· Creativity of Promotion Strategies (1-5 points)

· Clarity of Promotion Channels (1-5 points)

Collaboration Among Businesses (Total: 20 Points)

· Number of Collaborating Businesses (1-5 points)

· Quality of Collaboration Agreement (1-5 points)

· Roles and Responsibilities Clarity (1-5 points)

· Evidence of Previous Collaboration (1-5 points)

Potential Impact (Total: 20 Points)

· Anticipated Increase in Foot Traffic (1-5 points)

· Expected Sales Growth (1-5 points)

· Community Engagement Potential (1-5 points)

· Overall Contribution to Downtown Vitality (1-5 points)

Budget and Justification (Total: 20 Points)

· Clarity of Budget Breakdown (1-5 points)

· Justification for Grant Amount Requested (1-5 points)

· Realism of Promotional Cost Estimates (1-5 points)

· Alignment of Budget with Event Goals (1-5 points)

Scoring Breakdown

Total Possible Score: 100 Points

Application Rating Categories:

· 80-100 Points: High Priority for Funding

· 60-79 Points: Moderate Priority for Funding

· 40-59 Points: Low Priority for Funding

· Below 40 Points: Not Funded

Evaluation Process

Initial Screening: All applications will be screened for completeness and eligibility.

Scoring: Each application will be evaluated by a panel of reviewers using the rating criteria. Reviewers will independently score each application, and scores will be averaged to determine the final score.

Final Recommendations: Applications will be ranked based on total scores, and funding recommendations will be made based on available budget and priority ratings.

Notification: Applicants will be notified of their application status, along with feedback on their scores and areas for improvement if applicable.

Conclusion

The CRI Downtown Business Collaboration Grant Program, with its structured rating system, aims to ensure a fair assessment of applications, promoting the collaboration among businesses to enhance the economic vitality of the downtown area. By creating a transparent evaluation process, we encourage innovative and impactful projects that benefit the entire community.
I acknowledge that I have reviewed all the grant information and requirements stated above:*

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Section 1: Lead Business Applicant Information
Business Name*
Name*

First NameLast Name
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email*
example@example.com

Section 2: Event/Activity Information
Event/Activity Title*
Event/Activity Description : Provide a detailed description of the event/activity, including purpose and activities involved*
Event/Activity Date(s) and TIme*
Location(s) of Event/Activity*
Expected Outcomes: Describe anticipated results, including community engagement, foot traffic, and sales*

Section 3: Strategic Promtion Plan
Target Audience: Identify who you aim to attract to the event*
Location of Target Audience: Outline where your target audience can be found*
Promotion Strategies: Describe how you will promote the event to reach your target audience. Include channels such as social media, flyers, etc.*

Section 4: Collaboration Agreement
List of Collaborating Businesses (3 or more businesses needed)*
Roles and Responsibilities Briefly outline each business's role in the collaboration*

Section 5: Budget Information
Total Promotional Cost*
Grant Amount Requested (up to $1,500)*
Budget Breakdown: Provide a detailed breakdown of the promotional costs*
Justification for Grant Amount: Explain why the amount requested is necessary for the success of the event*

Section 6: Stipulation for Grant Recipients

As a condition of receiving this grant, all funded projects must include the Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. logo on all print and digital event designs, as well as tag Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. in all social media posts related to the event as a sponsor or supporter.
Logo Usage:*

I confirm that the Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. logo will be included in all promotional materials as a sponsor or supporter of the event.
Social Media Tagging:*

I confirm that I will tag Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. in all relevant social media posts as a sponsor or supporter of the event.

Section 7: Additional Information
Previous Collaboration Experience: (If applicable, describe any past collaborative efforts among the businesses involved)
Additional Comments or Information:
Any supporting documents you would like to include in this application can be submitted below:

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Section 8: Certification

By signing below, I certify that the information provided in this application is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any false statements may result in the denial of this application.
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CRI Downtown Business Collaboration Grant Program

Section 1: Lead Business Applicant Information

Section 2: Event/Activity Information

Section 3: Strategic Promtion Plan

Section 4: Collaboration Agreement

Section 5: Budget Information

Section 6: Stipulation for Grant Recipients

Section 7: Additional Information

Section 8: Certification