The Genesis For Good Catalyst Empowerment Grant Program

The Genesis For Good Catalyst Empowerment Grant Program is administered by the Genesis For Good Foundation in partnership with Genesis Bank, the Genesis Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship, and Fiserv. Genesis Bank is a multiracial Minority Depository Institution focused on empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening business communities, particularly across Southern California. Through its philanthropic arm, the Genesis For Good Foundation works to foster vibrant communities by supporting small businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs with access to capital, education, and strategic resources. This grant program reflects that mission by targeting underserved business owners operating in low-to-moderate income communities. The purpose of the Catalyst Empowerment Grant Program is to provide financial and technical support to small businesses and entrepreneurs to improve infrastructure, accelerate economic growth, and expand their ability to create jobs and community impact. The program offers grants of up to 10000 dollars to eligible applicants. In addition to direct funding, recipients receive access to business development resources designed to strengthen long-term sustainability and scalability. These resources include membership in Catalyst 360 powered by the Genesis Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship, which provides advisory services, education, and networking opportunities. Grant recipients also benefit from access to a point-of-sale and business management technology bundle provided through the Genesis and Clover partnership with Fiserv. This bundle includes zero entry costs and reduced subscription pricing, allowing businesses to streamline operations, enhance customer experience, and improve financial management systems. These supplemental benefits demonstrate that the program is not solely focused on financial assistance but also on equipping businesses with tools for sustained growth. Eligibility for the program is limited to small businesses operating within specific counties in Southern California, including Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. Applicants must have annual gross revenues of 500000 dollars or less, have been in continuous operation for at least one year, and employ no more than ten employees including owners. Businesses must also operate in low-to-moderate income areas as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and maintain all required licenses and registrations at the local and county level. Certain entities are explicitly excluded from eligibility. These include businesses affiliated with Genesis Bank or its related parties, including employees, executives, directors, shareholders, and their immediate family members or household members. Additionally, businesses engaged in political activities such as influencing legislation or participating in political campaigns are not eligible. Tax-exempt nonprofit organizations classified under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) are also excluded, indicating that this program is strictly intended for for-profit small businesses rather than nonprofit entities. The application process requires submission through the program’s designated portal and includes a mandatory video component. Applicants must submit a video of no more than three minutes that introduces the business owner, explains the business mission and community impact, and describes how the grant funding will support growth. The video does not need to be professionally produced and can be recorded using a mobile device, emphasizing accessibility and authenticity over production quality. The program began accepting applications on April 17, 2024 and continues to accept applications from eligible businesses within the designated counties. While no explicit closing date or recurring cycle is provided, the ongoing acceptance suggests a rolling or open application structure. The program is administered by the Genesis For Good Foundation, and additional details about eligibility, application requirements, and future phases are available through the official program website.

Focus on community impact, clear use of funds for growth, and HUD-area qualification