BBAAA is giving out grants of $500 to $2,000 to help members cover operating costs and startup expenses.
Eligible expenses cover a wide range: rent, utilities, phone, and internet. Marketing and advertising. Equipment, technology, and software. Auto repairs. Licenses, permits, and regulatory fees. Even membership dues and professional service fees count.
If it’s a real cost of running or launching your business, there’s a good chance it qualifies.
Who can apply
Membership in the Black Business Association of Amherst Area (BBAAA) is open to Black and non-Black business owners, organizations, and professionals. There’s a one-time membership fee of $25.00, and Youth Membership, for anyone under age 30, is free.
If you’re not yet a member, apply online here before submitting your grant application.
What you’ll need
- A completed application form
- Government-issued ID
- Business license or registration
We’re not asking for financial statements or a full business plan. This fund exists because the paperwork burden is often what actually stops a business owner from getting help they’d otherwise qualify for.
Deadline
The application period closes September 30, 2026. Applications received after that date, or missing any required document, won’t be considered, so don’t wait until the last afternoon to pull your ID and license together.
Once you apply, expect a decision within two weeks of the deadline. If you’re approved, funds go out after you submit invoices for the expenses you’re covering, and you’ll need to turn in payment receipts by October 30, 2026. Plan for that step now rather than scrambling for it later.
How to apply
Send your completed application to bbaamherst@gmail.com, or mail it to Black Business Association of Amherst Area, PO Box 3064, Amherst, MA 01002.
For questions, technical support, or language translation help, reach Board President Pat Ononibaku at the same email address.
We started this organization in 2016 because Black business owners in this region needed a room where support and honest advice about growth weren’t in short supply. That hasn’t changed. This fund backs it up with actual dollars.