Art History 101
Overview: Jay Pross launched streetwear brand Art History 101 in 2008; it was so successful that he opened his first brick and mortar store on Frankford Ave. two years later in 2010. TMF supported Art History 101 with a $10,000 grant to help recover from their fire. In addition to the financial grant, owner Jay Pross has benefited from our Beyond the Grant Program with TMF coach George Pitsakis.
Impact: “We’re coming on 2 years since the fire and our business is thriving. The one question everyone asks — because of the growth and change in the business — is what has changed since the fire. The answer is that I was assigned a business advisor–George Pitsakis from The Merchants Fund. In 2022 we had our biggest year of sales. January of 2023 was our best January to date. I know that my business is where it is because of the work George and I put into it. I’m grateful.”
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Connect with The Merchants Fund on social media to stay updated on grant cycles, applications, and inspiring grantee stories.
Support The Merchants Fund before the end of the year! For more than 170 years, TMF has stood beside Philadelphia merchants. We are the only organization in the city solely dedicated to providing direct grant support to small business owners. Merchants like Moneek Pines, owner of @artrageousbrushandflow and a 2025 Emergency Grant, are a testament to TMF’s impact. By donating to TMF, you contribute to our mission of helping local businesses thrive and communities grow stronger. Visit the link in our bio to donate today!
With continued support from the City Commerce Department, The Barra Foundation and the Vanguard Foundation, we’ve extended the deadline for the SNAP Emergency program to December 31st! Link to apply in bio.
As our small food businesses navigate a wild November, we want to make time and space for you to reach out for support. We hope you`ll apply for our SNAP Emergency Relief Grant. Please reach out to our team at grants@merchantsfund.org for help applying, or to the Mayor`s Business Action Team at business@phila.gov for language support.
As our small food businesses navigate a wild November, we want to make time and space for you to reach out for support. We hope you`ll apply for our SNAP Emergency Relief Grant. Please reach out to our team at grants@merchantsfund.org for help applying, or to the Mayor`s Business Action Team at business@phila.gov for language support.
🌟 Emergency SNAP Grants Open Today! 🌟
We know how challenging the recent SNAP benefit disruptions have been for local food businesses and the communities you serve.
Funded by the Department of Commerce and the Barra Foundation, the Emergency SNAP Grant program will be accepting applications from today, November 16th, to December 1st.
The program will serve grocers, markets and corner stores with revenue under $2M who have seen substantial decreases in SNAP / EBT revenue.
Full eligibility criteria, details and a link to the application can be found in our bio.
$600,000 in grants are available; priority will be given to businesses serving low-income neighborhoods.
➡️ Ready to apply or learn more? Visit www.merchantsfund.org (link in bio!)
We know how challenging the recent SNAP benefit disruptions have been for local food businesses and the communities you serve.
Funded by the Department of Commerce and the Barra Foundation, the Emergency SNAP Grant program will be accepting applications from today, November 16th, to December 1st.
The program will serve grocers, markets and corner stores with revenue under $2M who have seen substantial decreases in SNAP / EBT revenue.
Full eligibility criteria, details and a link to the application can be found in our bio.
$600,000 in grants are available; priority will be given to businesses serving low-income neighborhoods.
➡️ Ready to apply or learn more? Visit www.merchantsfund.org (link in bio!)
The Stabilization Grant program is now accepting applications! Stabilization grants support specific projects that will help a business overcome an obstacle or grow. The application will be open until October 5th. Follow the link in bio to check your eligibility and apply!
Second slide: 2024 Stabilization Grant recipient @djakartacafephilly (📷: @chriskendigphotography)
The 2025 Rad Awards ceremony, powered by @thephiladelphiacitizen, was a night to remember! TMF Executive Director, Jill Fink, took home the award for Nonprofit Leader of the Year. This honor recognizes the enormous impact Jill has had during her 7-year tenure at TMF and her unwavering commitment to community wealth building. Jill’s career has been a celebration of the small businesses that make Philadelphia great. Now, join us in celebrating her!
Are you a passionate fan of the small businesses that make Philadelphia home? We want to talk! Apply on LinkedIn.
The Spring Stabilization Grant Cycle is officially open! Click the link in our bio for more details and to start your application. Application closes March 31st.
Second slide: 2024 Stabilization Grant recipient, @nvmyeyewear33 (📷: @chriskendigphotography)
Small business owners: What have been your successes and challenges this year, and what is your outlook for the future?
The Federal Reserve is seeking your feedback in this year’s Small Business Credit Survey. Join the thousands of for-profit small businesses who complete the survey to voice what you are experiencing. Survey closes November 1; link in bio.
#SmallBusinessCreditSurvey #SmallBusiness #federalreserve
The Federal Reserve is seeking your feedback in this year’s Small Business Credit Survey. Join the thousands of for-profit small businesses who complete the survey to voice what you are experiencing. Survey closes November 1; link in bio.
#SmallBusinessCreditSurvey #SmallBusiness #federalreserve
The Fall Stabilization Grant Cycle is open! Stabilization Grants support projects that will help a business overcome an obstacle limiting its ability to operate at full capacity or help a business to grow. Read more on our website and apply using the link in bio! The application closes September 30th.
Vault + Vine is a cafe and thoughtfully curated retail space founded in 2017 in East Falls, Philadelphia. At the heart of their shop is love for their community and a desire to create, promote, and connect with their neighbors. Their vision is to create a community of businesses and customers that supports, promotes, and celebrates the local and global economy and by demanding accountability in every aspect of the supply chain.
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#smallbusinesssupport #phillymerchant #phillysmallbusiness #communityempowerment #communitywealthbuilding #businesscoaching #financialassistance
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Check out @vaultandvine.co for more details about this inspiring small business. If you’re one of our grantees interested in having your story told, please feel free to DM us!
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
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
Coffee Cream & Dreams is a cafe that offers an inviting atmosphere whether you’re looking to relax with a refreshing beverage outdoors or curl up in one of their cozy chairs indoors. With a commitment to delighting customers with every sip of coffee or tea they enjoy in-store or take home with them, they earn our small business spotlight for their the excellent quality and utilization of their grant to create an impact on their community.
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#smallbusinessempowerment #phillysupportphilly #phillymerchants #smallbusinessspotlight #coffeeshop
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Check out @coffeecreamanddreams and stop by their shop on Fairmount Ave to taste their quality beverages for yourself!
