Battle Creek/Kalamazoo
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About
Kalamazoo Micro-Enterprise Grants (KMEG) provide $5,000 grants to eligible microbusinesses within the City of Kalamazoo limits. The program is designed to bring relief to Kalamazoo businesses in need of support. In an effort to remedy historical disparities that exist in funding sources, businesses located within Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo neighborhoods of Eastside, Edison, and Northside, are highly encouraged to apply. The program is a partnership between the City of Kalamazoo and United Way of South Central Funding for these grants is being provided by the City of Kalamazoo Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds through the American Rescue Plan Act and as such are subject to all requirements found in 31 CFR Part 35 and 2 CFR part 200 of the Federal Register.
2025 Eligibility Requirements
Eligible businesses include any for-profit enterprise that can demonstrate the following:
- Has been in operation for at least 1 year in the City of Kalamazoo (Detailed map of the city).
- Has 10 employees or fewer.
- Has annual revenue of $1.0 million or less;
- Did not receive KMEG support in 2024.
- Is current on all local, state, and federal taxes.
Application Process
Applications will be submitted completely online. After creating an online account using the link below, applicants will be asked to submit information that includes the following:
- Government Issued Photo ID
- 2024 or most recent Business Tax Return
- Copy of Most Recent Payroll Tax Payment (if applicable)
- Employee Listing/Roster (if applicable)
- Articles of Incorporation, Business License, or DBA
- Corporate Bylaws (if applicable)
Because being located within the City of Kalamazoo is a requirement, we encourage you to provide additional documentation if your LARA registration or official records list an address outside of the City of Kalamazoo. If you have been operating from a brick-and-mortar location within the city, please submit documentation verifying that you have been operating within Kalamazoo for at least one year prior to the date of your application. If you have questions about this, please contact us at smallbusiness@uwscmi.org or sign up for office hours using the sign up link below.
Application Support
Virtual office hours will be held on specific Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Please note that UWSCMI's offices are closed to the public. All in-person meetings at the UWSCMI office will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. When signing up for office hours, please be sure to select the option—virtual or in-person—that best meets your needs.
Video Instructions
- How to create an eC Impact account for Small Business: https://bit.ly/3CiKQzg
- How to download documents from your previous KMEG application: https://youtu.be/2Moh-_loEUM
- How to add Documents to this Spring's KMEG application: https://bit.ly/3RlNfO1
- How to submit a KMEG application: https://bit.ly/3CflKRW
Please note that this document should be utilized only as a tool to prepare for the application. Applications will need to be completed via the online application tool, e-CImpact. The online application will be available from May 1, 2025 - May 30, 2025. The link to register for e-CImpact and access this application can be found at the top of this page.
Application Process Timeline
- May 1-30: Application open. Technical Assistance will be available in person and virtually throughout the month at three locations:
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- UWSCMI Kalamazoo Office throughout the month. Visit https://bit.ly/4jlB7LO to sign up for office hours.
- Douglass Community Association – May 7
- El Concilio - May 24
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- June 2-10: Staff review period
- Week of June 11: Recommendations sent to the Kalamazoo Small Business Cabinet (KSBC)
- Week of June 18: Final decisions made by the KSBC
- Week of June 23: Applicants receive updates on their applications
- June 23 - June 27: Grant agreements sent and signed
- July 7-21: Grant funds disbursed
Review Process
UWSCMI reviews all KMEG applications to ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements. Reviewers use the submitted application materials an the established funding priorities to decide which applications to fund in each round. Please note that new applicants are always prioritized in the review process before previous awardees, but previous awardees are eligible to reapply two years after their first award.
Generally, application decisions are issued by email about one month after the application period closes.
Reporting Process
Please note that KMEG awardees will need to complete a report within 3 months, to show how they have spent the grant funds. These reports will need to include receipts dated after the award date and during the grant period. These reports are required due to the nature of the funds that support this program.
Questions?
Contact us @ (269) 343-2524 ex 121 or smallbusiness@uwscmi.org
UWSCMI is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals. As part of this commitment, UWSCMI will ensure that persons are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation(s) are needed to participate in this funding process, please contact smallbusiness@uwscmi.org or 269.343.2524, ext. 121.
