Business Grant Program Overview
The Localworks Business Grant Program provides grant funding to help Wheat Ridge businesses invest in their future and contribute to a strong local economy. Grants are available to eligible Wheat Ridge businesses for projects that strengthen the local economy, create or retain jobs, support business growth, or otherwise provide a broader benefit to the Wheat Ridge community.
A total of $45,000 is available for this funding cycle.
Grant awards are available based on business size:
- 1–3 employees: up to $5,000
- 3+ employees: up to $10,000
The maximum grant award available to any individual business is $10,000. Businesses under common ownership or control will be treated as a single applicant for purposes of this cap.
Applications open January 1, 2027, and are due March 31, 2027. Application link will be live in:
How it works
Supporting Wheat Ridge Businesses
The Business Grant Program is intended to help Wheat Ridge businesses invest in their future. Applicants will have the opportunity to share how grant funding would support their business, including the specific project or investment they are proposing and how it will help strengthen, sustain, or grow their business in Wheat Ridge.
Grant funding may support projects that contribute to the vitality of the local business community and create public benefit through economic development, job creation and retention, and business investment.
A Straightforward Application Process
Localworks aims to make the Wheat Ridge business grant application straightforward and accessible. The application is designed to be low-barrier while still giving the Grant Committee the information needed to make informed funding decisions.
Applicants will be required to submit:
- A copy of the business’s active City of Wheat Ridge business license
- A clear budget outlining the proposed use of grant funds
- A narrative describing the proposed investment or project
- Responses to the application questions and all required supporting documentation
How Decisions Are Made
Grant applications will be reviewed using a formal scoring process designed to provide a fair and consistent evaluation of each application. Application opens January 1. There is not an application link, yet. This page will be updated January 1.
The Grant Committee consists of seven members:
- Four Localworks Board of Directors members, nominated and elected by the Board of Directors to serve on the committee
- Three elected officials appointed through the Mayor’s Office of the City of Wheat Ridge
Committee members will review and score eligible applications based on the established application rubric and submitted materials. Each committee member must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest with respect to any applicant, and any member with a conflict must recuse themselves from scoring and deliberation on the affected application.
Applications open January 1, 2027, and are due March 31, 2027.
Please note the application will not be available until January1.
All applicants will be notified of funding decisions by May 15, 2027. Awarded applicants will be required to execute a written grant agreement with Localworks before any funds are disbursed.
Eligibility Requirements
- Hold an active business license with the City of Wheat Ridge
- Have its primary business address located within the City of Wheat Ridge
- Provide financial statements for up to the previous three years of operation (or for the full period the business has been in operation, if fewer than three years), including balance sheets and profit and loss statements
- Provide the most recent year-to-date profit and loss statement and balance sheet, dated no more than two months prior to the application submission date
- Demonstrate financial viability sufficient to sustain ongoing operations, which may include but is not limited to maintaining general operating reserves
- Use grant funds toward an investment that supports the community economic development goals of the program, including the future growth, sustainability, or success of the business. Grant recipients will be required to submit a post-grant report demonstrating that funds were used as proposed, and Localworks reserves the right to require the return of any funds not used in accordance with the approved grant purpose.
Meeting eligibility requirements and submitting a complete application does not guarantee a grant award. All funding decisions are at the sole discretion of Localworks.
Business Nominations
Community members may nominate a Wheat Ridge business they believe should consider applying for grant funding. A nomination does not serve as an application on behalf of the business. Localworks will contact nominated businesses directly to let them know they were nominated and invite them to complete and submit a grant application.
The application review rubric may note whether a business was identified through a community nomination, but a nomination will not affect the applicant’s score. All applications will be evaluated solely on the merits of the proposed project and the information submitted.
Additional Information
Future funding opportunities may become available. Localworks will share information about additional funding cycles as they are announced.
If a business submits a complete application by March 31, 2027, and additional program funds remain available or are added later in the year, the application may remain eligible for consideration in a future funding round during the same calendar year.