West Side Innovation Fund
Funding Amount
$1,000 - $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- BIPOC-owned small businesses (priority focus)
Geography
- Businesses located on West Side corridors (Lincoln Street, Union Street, Fourth Street, Lancaster Ave)
Other requirements
- Entrepreneurs seeking to open businesses in commercial vacancies on the West Side
- Property owners seeking potential tenants
- Existing businesses making minor repairs
Overview
Funder: City of Wilmington via American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, administered by Cornerstone West CDC with partners True Access Capital and Wilmington Alliance
Geographic Scope: West Side of Wilmington, Delaware, including Union, Lincoln, and 4th Streets
Focus Areas:
For entrepreneurs seeking to open businesses in commercial vacancies, property owners seeking potential tenants, and existing businesses:
- Facade improvements
- Interior & exterior security cameras
- Exterior signage
- Indoor seating renovation and expansion
- Mobile business vehicle renovation
- Storefront repairs and improvements
- Equipment purchases and upgrades
Eligibility:
- Entrepreneurs seeking to open businesses in commercial vacancies on the West Side
- Property owners seeking potential tenants
- Existing businesses making minor repairs
- BIPOC-owned small businesses (priority focus)
- Businesses located on West Side corridors (Lincoln Street, Union Street, Fourth Street, Lancaster Ave)
Program History:
- First round (2024): 10 businesses awarded
- Notable awardees: HillTop Smoked BBQ, Hell's Belles Bake Shop, Orion's Auto Repairs, Taco House & Pizza, The Vision Campus, Union Press Printing, Walter's Steakhouse, and others
- Part of broader "Building From Within" program addressing racial disparities in business lending
Program Goals:
- Infuse West Side corridors with investment
- Support BIPOC-owned small businesses specifically
- Achieve visual impact on neighborhood main streets
- Support businesses that persevered through COVID-19 pandemic
Contact Information:
- Gabrielle Lantieri, Economic Development Manager
- Email: hello@westsidegrows.org
- Phone: (302) 888-5346
- Address: 1512 W. 4th Street, Suite 2, Wilmington, DE 19805
Funding Source: City of Wilmington American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds
How to Apply
Application Process
Application details available through:
- Website: westsidegrows.org/small-businesses
- Contact: Cornerstone West CDC for current application timeline and submission instructions
Note: Historical timeline (first round, 2024): Applications reviewed and awardees announced
For current application deadline and process, contact Cornerstone West CDC at:
- Email: hello@westsidegrows.org
- Phone: (302) 888-5346
- Follow on Instagram and Facebook for updates
- Subscribe to West Side Business District Newsletter
What Cornerstone West Community Dev Corp actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2025
- Grants in 2025
- 22
- Total given
- $241K
- Median grant
- $9,825
- Range
- $5,025–$44K
- By dollars: Delaware 100%. Top recipient cities: Wilmington, DE; Dover, DE; Newark, DE.
- 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Example grants
University of Delaware · Newark, DE
To assist with costs associated with improving building's appearance
$44K
Bibi's Brunch · Dover, DE
To assist with costs associated with improving building's appearance
$20K
Green for the Greater Good · Wilmington, DE
To assist with costs associated with improving building's appearance
$20K
Roberto Clemente Baseball League · Wilmington, DE
To assist with costs associated with improving building's appearance
$13K
Akhibachi's Halal Food · Dover, DE
To assist with costs associated with improving building's appearance
$10K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Small businesses
- BIPOC
- Minority businesses
Categories
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