Storefront Upfit Grant

Storefront Upfit Grant

Funder: Raleigh Civic Ventures (RCV), funded by Duke Energy Foundation

Geographic Scope: Downtown Raleigh, NC (specific mapped areas)

Purpose: Incentivize and attract new retail, restaurant, and service businesses; aid in expansion of existing retail businesses; provide direct support to strategic areas; accommodate pop-up uses; support minority and women-owned businesses; drive healthy storefront economy in Downtown Raleigh.

Funding Details

Maximum Award: Up to $15,000 depending on location and business use

DBE Booster: Additional $2,500 for businesses with 50%-or-more ownership by individuals who identify as:

Minority

Women

LGBTQ+

Veteran

Person with a disability

Match Requirement: 50:50 funding match required for reimbursement amounts over $7,500

Total Available Funding (FY26): $50,000 (July 2025 - June 2026)

Eligible Uses

Eligible Expenses:

Hard costs to physically upfit space

Soft costs associated with design, construction and execution

One-time standup expenses (furniture, shelving, signage, POS system, paint, lighting, decor, displays, etc.)

Ineligible Expenses:

Rent, utilities, payroll

Packaging, regular cleaning supplies, office supplies

Subscription fees, Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

Inventory and other regular operating/recurring costs

Eligibility Requirements

Business Type:

New retail, restaurant, experiential, and service businesses

Existing retail businesses expanding by 30% or more

Pop-up businesses (minimum 3-month lease commitment)

Brewery and distillery concepts with onsite production are eligible

Ineligible Uses:

Professional office and bar uses (bars defined as 70%+ revenue from onsite alcohol sales; breweries/distilleries excepted)

Location Requirements:

Priority Area (Green zone): New retail, restaurant, service and pop-up uses eligible for up to $15,000

Overall Grant Eligibility Area (Blue zone): Retail uses including existing retail expanding 30%+ eligible for up to $7,500

Retail uses eligible within entire grant boundary

Restaurant and service uses limited to smaller targeted area

Pop-up concepts only eligible in priority area boundary

Storefront spaces must be inside or on boundary of mapped areas

General Requirements:

Current business license required

Interest form must be submitted in advance of opening

Property owner written consent required

Applicants with immediate family on RCV or DRA Board are ineligible

Selection Criteria

Applications scored on:

Locally-owned and independently-operated status (priority given)

New businesses in first-floor space with street-front presence

Complementary to downtown storefront mix

Ratio of grant funding to overall project cost (private investment match)

Thoroughness of business plan and expense descriptions

Contact Information

Contact: Kate Turley
Email: kateturley@downtownraleigh.org