FAQs

FAQs

grants

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

If you don’t see your question/or have further questions, please email
grants@merchantsfund.org.

  • All
  • Eligibility
  • General
  • Required Docs

A business must meet all of these eligibility requirements to successfully receive a Stabilization Grant from The Merchants Fund.

  • Business is located in Philadelphia;
  • Business is independently owned and operated (franchises are eligible if independently owned and operated);
  • Business has been in operations for a minimum of two years;
  • Business is the owner’s primary source of income;
  • Business operates a storefront or physical location (food trucks and kiosks are eligible);
  • Business is in compliance with all federal, state, and local taxes (or on an approved payment plan);
  • Business has the required federal, state, and local licenses and permits to operate legally;
  • Business has been in current operations for the last 90 days and plans to continue operating;
  • Business made no less than $75,000 in total sales (also known as revenues) in the last tax year and no more than $750,000 in the last tax year;
  • Business must be able to show a financial need for the potential grant.

We have an amazing group of partners throughout Philadelphia, who are experienced and able to assist in the application process. A list that is broken down by geographic region/neighborhood can be found HERE or you can reach out to grants@merchantsfund.org to be connected to a partner.

No, we ask that you complete these tax returns to meet eligibility requirements. Please contact one of our partners or grants@merchantsfund.org to be connected to potential tax preparers and accountants.

We ask that you either submit a prior year profit and loss statement or prior year Federal tax returns. This gives us a better picture of the business’ current financial health. If you do not have a bookkeeping system that can prepare them or an accountant that can prepare them, you can use this simple template found HERE. Additionally, you can learn more about how to create a profit and loss statement watching this VIDEO. Lastly, if you are struggling to complete this, you can reach out to coach@merchantsfund.org for more assistance.

Firstly, we understand how hard it can be to operate a small business. Multiple members of our staff have owned or currently own small businesses in Philadelphia. It is often exhausting, rewarding, stressful, exhilarating, and axciety enducing all wrapped into one! However, TMF Stabilization Grants are not to be used for monthly expenses. Unfortunately, we do not gift funds to cover cash shortfalls.

(Example: George’s Restaurant makes $20,000 a month but spends $25,000 in expenses. The restaurant is behind on rent, utilities, and may not meet payroll this month. Though George tries, the business is simply not covering its bills.) These past due bills and typical monthly expenses are ineligible for a TMF grant.

One time large expenses or events–a broken piece of equipment, a road closure that disturbs foot traffic, a flood event, are all eligible for TMF grants.

No. Any legally operating business is eligible to apply.

A debt schedule is simply all of your business debts compiled into one place. To prepare for the application, we ask that you have a list of all of your current business debts and the associated interest.

For example, a list may look like:

  • Family Loan – Original Amount $50,000, Current Amount $20,000, Monthly Payment N/A, Interest Rate 0%.
  • Chase Credit Card – Current Amount $10,100, Monthly Payment $250, Interest Rate 12%.
  • SBA Loan – Original Amount $25,000, Current Amount $5,500, Monthly Payment $200, Interest Rate 5.5%.

Businesses must show a clear need for a grant. The grant should help a business sustain or grow operations.

An example to sustain business operations: George’s Bakery experienced an electrical issue that destroyed its’ deck oven. George’s bakery requests $10,000 to replace the oven and continue operations.

An example to grow business operations: Joe’s Barbershop is seeing an increase in customers. Lines are long and they have to turn people away. Joe would like to purchase 3 new barber chairs to service more customers but doesn’t have the money to do so. Joe requests a $10,000 TMF grant to purchase more chairs and grow the business.

Businesses can only apply for a stabilization grant once per calendar year, regardless of whether the request was funded or denied. We trust that businesses will apply when they have a specific need for the grant.

Businesses that have already received a grant from TMF within the last 24 months are not eligible to apply again. (Emergency grants do not count) Our goal is to help as many businesses as possible in the City of Philadelphia.

All TMF grantees are eligible for free business coaching. Email coach@merchantsfund.org to schedule your first appointment. Likewise, you can learn more about our business coaching by clicking HERE. If you are ultimately awarded a grant, you will then become eligible for business coaching. Likewise, if your application is ultimately denied, we will provide the reasons for denial, action items to assist you and your business, and–if available–access to TMF coaching.

Our goal is to review all applications and notify applicants of our decision within 30-45 days of submission.

If deemed necessary, TMF will request a site visit with an applicant where we will meet you in person at your place of business and learn more about your business’ operations, your business story, and your goals. No additional action is required, except scheduling the meeting. It is one of our favorite parts of the job – learning about our grantees, their businesses, and helping them achieve their goals.

You can check out the glossary HERE if you’d like some definitions of common business terms.

Examples of Eligible Uses of Funds:

  • Replace failing equipment or upgrade equipment to meet new opportunities or customer needs;
  • Repair issues with the commercial space or upgrade the commercial space to meet new opportunities and customer needs;
  • Take advantage of new growth opportunities (upgrade e-commerce platform, purchase new payment processing systems, purchase new equipment or items to increase your revenue streams or product lines);
  • Use funds to operationalize business (bookkeeping, website creation, etc.). This is often done in tandem with TMF support and coaching. 

In very specific circumstances, Stabilization Grants can be used to pay down debt or purchase inventory. Specific instances may include: accrued debt used to continue operations during a disaster (flood, road closures, fire, etc.), purchasing bulk inventory to save on costs or prepare for a large event, assisting a stable/profitable business to pay debts that were accrued when the business was struggling, etc.

Examples of Ineligible Uses of Funds:

  • Building cash reserves or a “rainy day” fund; 
  • Normal working capital expenses such as rent, payroll, day-to-day inventory, or past due debts due to lack of profitability;
  • Owner salary;
  • Unclear, ambiguous grant asks (e.g. ‘I will use the money to improve my business and help my customers.’)

In order to be eligible for a TMF grant, businesses must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Located in Philadelphia
  • Independently owned and operated
  • In operations for a minimum of two years
  • Is the owner’s primary source of income
  • Operates a storefront or physical location (food trucks and kiosks are eligible)
  • Is in compliance with all federal, state, and local taxes (or on an approved payment plan)
  • Has the required federal, state, and local licenses and permits to operate legally
  • Has been in current operations for the last 90 days and plans to continue operating
  • Businesses that have received a grant within the last 24 months are ineligible (emergency grants do not count)
  • Businesses can only apply for a stabilization grant once per calendar year (regardless of whether the application was funded or denied)
  • Annual sales/revenue in the last tax year were more than $50,000 and less than $750,000
  • Must demonstrate financial need for a grant
  • Nonprofits are ineligible, as are certain types of businesses/industries
    • Childcare Centers (home based or commercial) are also ineligible

Stay updated

Connect with The Merchants Fund on social media to stay updated on grant cycles, applications, and inspiring grantee stories.


We are excited to announce that the Spring cycle of our ‘2024 Stabilization Grant Program’ is now live!

Stabilization Grants provide funding of up to $10,000 to help a business stabilize in the face of adversity, take advantage of an opportunity to grow, or increase profitability.

Visit merchantsfund.org/grants/stabilization for more info and when you’re ready to apply, click the link in our bio! 

#phillysupportphilly #phillymerchants #phillysmallbusiness

We are excited to announce that the Spring cycle of our ‘2024 Stabilization Grant Program’ is now live!

Stabilization Grants provide funding of up to $10,000 to help a business stabilize in the face of adversity, take advantage of an opportunity to grow, or increase profitability.

Visit merchantsfund.org/grants/stabilization for more info and when you’re ready to apply, click the link in our bio!

#phillysupportphilly #phillymerchants #phillysmallbusiness



Vientiane Cafe is known to locals as a Lao and Thai fusion restaurant. Established in 2002, it became the first restaurant in the Philadelphia area to offer Lao dishes with a twist. The bistro’s rich history combined with their commitment to utilize their grant to improve their business and the community around them earns them this week’s inspiring grantee spotlight.
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#smallbusiness #phillymerchants #smallbusinessupport #equitableaccess #diverseentrepreneurs 
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Check out @vientianebistro at their West Philly and Kensington locations to see for yourself how this inspiring grantee continues to thrive.

Vientiane Cafe is known to locals as a Lao and Thai fusion restaurant. Established in 2002, it became the first restaurant in the Philadelphia area to offer Lao dishes with a twist. The bistro’s rich history combined with their commitment to utilize their grant to improve their business and the community around them earns them this week’s inspiring grantee spotlight.
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#smallbusiness #phillymerchants #smallbusinessupport #equitableaccess #diverseentrepreneurs
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.
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Check out @vientianebistro at their West Philly and Kensington locations to see for yourself how this inspiring grantee continues to thrive.




Enjoy all-you-can eat authentic Mexican food from some of the best restaurants in town all in one location at Bok on Thursday, September 28th at 6:00 pm. The 2nd Annual Taco Fiesta is a celebration of Mexican cuisine and culture in support of the work of the Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia. Desserts, aguas frescas, giveaways, live music and a fashion design performance included!
Be sure to invite your friends and colleagues to network while supporting our mission to empower immigrant-owned businesses in Philadelphia.
Thank you to our participating restaurants!

o Adelita Mexican Taqueria & Restaurant 
o Alma del Mar
o El Mezcal Cantina
o Los 4 Soles
o Los Taquitos de Puebla
o Marco's Fish & Crab House
o Mole Poblano Restaurant
o PhillyTacos
o Tamalex Resturant
o Taqueria Morales
o Tortilleria San Roman

Link in bio!

Enjoy all-you-can eat authentic Mexican food from some of the best restaurants in town all in one location at Bok on Thursday, September 28th at 6:00 pm. The 2nd Annual Taco Fiesta is a celebration of Mexican cuisine and culture in support of the work of the Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia. Desserts, aguas frescas, giveaways, live music and a fashion design performance included!
Be sure to invite your friends and colleagues to network while supporting our mission to empower immigrant-owned businesses in Philadelphia.
Thank you to our participating restaurants!

o Adelita Mexican Taqueria & Restaurant
o Alma del Mar
o El Mezcal Cantina
o Los 4 Soles
o Los Taquitos de Puebla
o Marco`s Fish & Crab House
o Mole Poblano Restaurant
o PhillyTacos
o Tamalex Resturant
o Taqueria Morales
o Tortilleria San Roman

Link in bio!



“Marcos and Alma own a beloved, local seafood spot in South Philly — @marcosfishandcrabhouse — and are also known for also being featured on Season 5 of Queer Eye on Netflix! Down the street, Nacho owns another loved Mexican-owned business named — "Taquitos de Puebla" and serves a very special Sopa Azteca, grilled nopales, and other exquisite Mexican dishes.

Both businesses have unfortunately been victims of vandalism and recently had their vehicles stolen in the summer of 2023. One was a refrigerated truck, which has been especially difficult for 'Marco's Fish' as their fish is fresh each day and requires transit to the restaurant. Now, without the truck, Marcos and Alma's business is at stake. Nacho also cannot make required pickups for his restaurant's ingredients.” 

Link in bio to donate

“Marcos and Alma own a beloved, local seafood spot in South Philly — @marcosfishandcrabhouse — and are also known for also being featured on Season 5 of Queer Eye on Netflix! Down the street, Nacho owns another loved Mexican-owned business named — "Taquitos de Puebla" and serves a very special Sopa Azteca, grilled nopales, and other exquisite Mexican dishes.

Both businesses have unfortunately been victims of vandalism and recently had their vehicles stolen in the summer of 2023. One was a refrigerated truck, which has been especially difficult for `Marco`s Fish` as their fish is fresh each day and requires transit to the restaurant. Now, without the truck, Marcos and Alma`s business is at stake. Nacho also cannot make required pickups for his restaurant`s ingredients.”

Link in bio to donate



We’re a proud recipient of @phillysjunited’s Partnership Grant Program. And we’re in great company! TMF is one of 100 grantees from a diverse network of organizations in Greater Philadelphia whose work helps people and families thrive. Learn more > https://unitedforimpact.org/nonprofit-partners/

We’re a proud recipient of @phillysjunited’s Partnership Grant Program. And we’re in great company! TMF is one of 100 grantees from a diverse network of organizations in Greater Philadelphia whose work helps people and families thrive. Learn more > https://unitedforimpact.org/nonprofit-partners/



Six months ago, @leesdeliphilly was destroyed. With grit, determination, and a community of support behind them, they re-opened last week.

Six months ago, @leesdeliphilly was destroyed. With grit, determination, and a community of support behind them, they re-opened last week.



Our spring grant cycle is now open! Application and eligibility requirements can be found at the link in our bio. This cycle will be open until 11:59pm on 5/31/23. #smallbusiness #phillysmallbusiness

Our spring grant cycle is now open! Application and eligibility requirements can be found at the link in our bio. This cycle will be open until 11:59pm on 5/31/23. #smallbusiness #phillysmallbusiness



Check out this story about @cosmicphilly in @phillyinquirer! #smallbusiness #supportsmallbusiness #phillysmallbusiness #philly

Check out this story about @cosmicphilly in @phillyinquirer! #smallbusiness #supportsmallbusiness #phillysmallbusiness #philly