SEED Grant Application - Spring 2025

Applications Open - March 1, 2025 Applications Due - April 2, 2025

The Sharp End Entrepreneurial Development Grant (SEED Grant)  was created in the state of Missouri to support Minority/Women Business Enterprises. The name “Sharp End” comes from the area called “The Sharp End”, which was a business district in the City of Columbia for the black community from the early 1900s to 1960s. The area was demolished during urban renewal in the 1960s which dramatically removed the nucleus of this self-contained black business community. The SEED Grant was established to pay tribute to the rich history of the Sharp End Business District.

Before a Minority/Women Business Enterprise can receive a SEED Grant, they are evaluated based on the following criteria:

  1. Business Financial, Risk and Tax Management
  2. Marketing & Branding
  3. Professional Licensure
  4. Contribution to Economic Development
  5. Proposed Grant Fund Uses
  6. Demonstration of Need

Eligibility Requirement

  1. Business must be established as a C-corporation, S-Corporation, LLC, or limited partnership with the state of Missouri.
  2. Business is in “Good Standing” with the state of Missouri.
  3. At least 51% of the business must be owned by a person or persons that are minority and/or women.

Application Guidance

  1. If a required question does not apply to your business, please respond "N/A" in the paragraph or if a document is required, upload a document stating "N/A" in the document. Please do not leave it blank.
  2. Do not include personal sensitive informaiton, such as social security numbers, in any of your documents. This information should be redacted prior to submitting.
  3. Documents uploaded as part of this application should be in one of the following formats: .pdf, xlsx, xls, pptx, ppt, docx, or doc.
  4. All questions should be emailed to contact@jawedf.org.

1. Basic Business Information

2. Person Submitting Application

3. Application Eligibility

4. Marketing and Branding

5. Business Financials & Economic Development

In submitting information under this section, do not include any sensitive information, such as social security numbers and bank account numbers.

6. Business Certifications & Licenses

7. Grant Summary of Needs

7A. GRANT NEED No. 1

7A. GRANT NEED No. 2

7A. GRANT NEED No. 3

7A. GRANT NEED No. 4

Disclosures