The Detroit Legacy Business Fund is piloting a program to support small businesses that meet its "legacy business" criteria. $15,000 and $50,000 Grants are provided either as reimbursements or pre-payments for eligible projects. $2500 and $5000 microgrants are disbursed on a prepayment basis for eligible projects. 

Each of Detroit’s seven council districts will receive one $15,000 grant per round, in addition to ten $2,500, five $5,000, fifteen $15,000 grants, and one $50,000 citywide (30 total).

$15,000 and $50,000 grant applications will be scored out of 100 points based on:

• Legacy Business Track Record (36 Points)
• Social & Cultural Contribution (34 Points)
• Product & Service Retention (4 Points)
• Grant Use and Project Description (26 points) 

Microgrants will be awarded to legacy business owners at the discretion of DEGA. First time eligible, grant applicants will be given priority consideration over past grant recipients of any amount.

• Past Recipients of $50,000 grants are ineligible for microgrant funding for a period of 24 months since the date of their initial grant award.  
• Past Recipients of $15,000 grants are ineligible to receive a microgrant for 12 months from the date of their $15,000 grant selection.  
• Microgrant winners are eligible for a second and final microgrant
• Grant amounts must not exceed the cost of the total budget for the project, based upon price quotes and invoices for the project. 

Which businesses are eligible for financial and technical assistance?

Eligible business types

• For-profit Sole Proprietorships
• General Partnerships
• Limited Partnerships (LP)
• Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP)
• Corporations (Inc., Corp.)
• Limited Liability Companies (LLC)
• Low-profit Limited Liability Company (LC3)
• Faith-based organizations, subject to 24 CFR § 570.200(j), participating in registered and licensed for-profit commercial activity
• Independently owned businesses that participate in retailers’ cooperatives are eligible to apply
• A Nonprofit enterprise that sells a product or service to the public or other companies. Product or service has to have been sold for the last 30 years

Ineligible

• Past Detroit Legacy Business Project Grant Recipients
• Charitable Non-Profits
• Home-based businesses
• Ecommerce businesses without a public commercial location
• Franchisors and Franchisees
• Businesses headquartered outside of the city of Detroit