DRK $1K GRANT

The DRK $1k Grant was created as a response to the profound challenges confronting the food and beverage industry amid times of hard economic conditions such as a pandemic and inflation. Because we know that economic pressures disproportionately affect minority-owned food and beverage businesses and those in historically underserved communities, the grant selection process for the DRK grant factors in geographic location, ownership backgrounds, story and team diversity, and demonstrating need based on rejection from other relief programs.

To date we have distributed over $75,000 in grants to 77 food and beverage businesses in the Chicagoland area with concentrated efforts on the South and West sides.

Required Documents.

All winning applicants will be asked to provide the following documents before receiving funds (clear and legible pictures will be accepted):

  • A business bank statement that includes the business address and business name

  • A valid business license  

  • A valid identification card (Driver's License, State ID, CityKey, Consular ID, Passport, or other form of identification)

    • Undocumented immigrants and green card holders who own businesses are welcome to apply.

  • A completed W9 form (access a fillable form here)

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Eligibility Requirements.

To be eligible for a grant, businesses must meet the following requirements:

  • Located in Chicagoland area

  • Majority Minority-Owned

  • Less than $500,000 annual revenue

  • In business for at least one year

  • 25% decrease in revenue due to COVID-19

Grant Details.

Recipients will be selected via a scoring system based on TEAM, NEED, and GROWTH. Click Here for Further Details.

Grant funds must be used for working capital (payroll, rent, contractors, insurance, taxes, etc.)

Supporting Information