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The People's Fund by CLT Black Owned
In November 2025, the team at CLT Black Owned did something they had never done before: they started a GoFundMe. But not for themselves, in an attempt to keep a local, Black-owned business from closing. The effort raised more than 25,000 in less than a week. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to save the business.
Rather than allowing the momentum and resources to go to waste, CLT Black Owned created THE PEOPLE"S FUND, a mutual aid fund to stabilize Charlotte's Black-owned business.
Born out of a community response and collective care, The People's Fund operates as direct relief to Black-owned businesses that can demonstrate financial hardship. Any business with 30% or more Black ownership located within Mecklenburg County may apply to one three grants through The People's Fund.
Crisis Application -
Always Open
Business owners at risk of closing may apply for immediate crisis funding through this application. Funds may be used for rent, equipment, daily supplies, repairs or other dire needs that influence the business's ability to remain operational.
Applicants must:
- Be able to demonstrate financial need
- Be willing to share financial statements
- Be a for-profit business that is one year or older
- Provide detailed plans for use of funds and how they will keep business from closing
-Pay a $3 application fee
Quarterly Grow Application -
Open April 1-30
Business owners wanting to grow their business and/or revenue may apply for up to $1,200 through this application. Funds may be used for machinery, supplies, expansion or other need that can clearly help grow the business's capacity, revenue or presence.
Applicants must:
- Be willing to share financial statements
- Be a for-profit business that is one year or older
- Provide detailed plans for use of funds and how they will increase revenue and/or capacity
-Pay a $9.80 application fee
Want to become a part of The People's Fund?
Send an email to community@cltblackowned.com with how you want to support, and we'll get back to you.
Monthly Crown Relief - Open Feb 10 - 20
Businesses at least 6 months old may request up to $704 through this application. Funds may be used for crisis, supplies, rent, unique business needs and more. The committee will consider unique or nontraditional requests provided they demonstrate how they will help sustain the business and/or it's revenue.
Applicants must:
- Be a for-profit business that is at least six months old
- Provide detailed plans for use of funds and how they support keeping the business open
- Pay a $7.04 application fee
FAQs
Why is there an application fee?
We believe that true community involves give and take. As we look for more ways to sustain and grow The People's Fund, the small application fee is the first example of this. We believe that any applicant hoping to receive funding must also be willing to financially support it. The application fee is the first step in establishing a give and take commitment to the fund.
Why do businesses have to be 30% or more Black owned?
We are CLT Black Owned. Our entire founding, mission and work ethos is centered on stabilizing and supporting Black-owned business. The People's Fund, an initiative created by CLT Black Owned, is an extension of that work.
What if I want to apply but I don't have the application fee?
The People's Fund was established to support for-profit businesses in need. While we understand the challenges of doing business and small business crisis due to rising costs and rents in the area, the fund's ultimate goal is to stand in the gap for businesses that have the capacity to thrive but need a few resources to do so. With each of our application fees below $10, a challenge in paying them could indicate a need that the fund is not equipped to address at this time.
How can I get involved?
The GoFundMe link to support The People's Fund is still live; you may donate there at any time.
If you're interested in serving on The People's Fund's guidance committee, you can read more details and share your interest here.
THE PEOPLE'S FUND
A MUTUAL AID FUND FOR BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES IN NEED