The City of Norfolk established the Capital Access Program (CAP) with the goal of filling a financial gap in the marketplace for entrepreneurs to either start or expand their business. CAP provides alternative and affordable financing made available through the City of Norfolk for existing and expanding businesses. These funds are reserved for businesses that lack access to traditional financing resources and/or require “gap financing.”

Eligibility Requirements for the Microgrant

• Do I fall under low-to-moderate income (LMI) – What does that mean? Applicants should refer to the Low (80%) Income Limits ($) that’s on the chart.
• Is my business located in the City of Norfolk?
• Am I up to date on all City taxes?
• Has it been between 1 and 3 years from my business’s formation date?”
• Do I have at least one year of documented revenues?
• Do I have less than 5 employees?

Eligibility Requirements for the Micro Enterprise Grant

• Do I fall under low-to-moderate income (LMI) – What does that mean? Applicants should refer to the Low (80%) Income Limits ($) that’s on the chart.
• Is my business located in the City of Norfolk?
• Am I up to date on all City taxes?
• Has it been between 2 and 5 years from my business’s formation date?
• Do I have at least 2 years of documented revenue?
• Do I have less than 5 employees?
• Have I participated in a technical assistance program or received a consultation (business accelerator program, business incubation program, technical workshop, training session, etc.)

Eligibility Requirements for the Reimbursable Grant

• Is my business located in the City of Norfolk?
• Am I up to date on all City taxes?
• Have I been in business for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 10 years?
• Do I have at least 3 years of documented revenues?
• Do I have less than 50 employees?
• DISCLAIMER: Reimbursable Grant recipients are required to hire one-(1) full-time LMI Norfolk resident.

If you answered “No” to any of these questions, please check out our resource partners at the bottom of the page for more information about assistance for your business!

Important Reminders:

• Items purchased before the contract agreement is executed are ineligible grant expenditures. The City will not reimburse the business for these expenses.
• Entities that are ineligible to apply for the CAP grant program include: Not-for-profit, faith-based organizations, political organizations, adult bookstores, adult video shops, other adult entertainment facilities, gambling facilities, blood or plasma donor centers, and pawn shops.
• Business owners who are employees of the City of Norfolk, elected or appointed officials or officers of the City of Norfolk, employees or board members of the City of Norfolk Economic Development Authority are not eligible to apply to the Program.

Microgrant

• Grant amount: $7,500
• Years in Business: Years in Business: 1 to 3 years from business formation date
• Stage of Business: No less than one year of documented revenues
• Business owner must be low-to-moderate income (LMI) at time of submission
• Employee Count: Must have no more than 5 employees (including business owners)
• Allowable Purchases include but are not limited to:
  • – Supplies
    – Equipment
    – Inventory
    – Furniture
    – Training
    – Professional Services
• Ineligible Purchases:
  • – Payroll/Salaries
    – Rent
    – Insurance
    – Real Estate
    – Interior and Exterior Buildouts or Renovations
    – Operating Licenses
    – Permitting and Fees
    – Utilities
    – Vehicle Purchases/Leasing

Micro Enterprise Grant

• Grant amount: $10,000
• Years in Business: 2 to 5 years from business formation date
• Stage of Business: No less than 2 years of documented revenues
• Business owner must be low-to-moderate income (LMI) at time of submission
• Employee Count: Must have no more than 5 employees (including business owners)
• Allowable Purchases include but are not limited to:
  • – Supplies
    – Equipment
    – Inventory
    – Furniture
    – Training
    – Professional Services 
• Ineligible Purchases:
  • – Payroll/Salaries
    – Rent
    – Insurance
    – Real Estate
    – Interior and Exterior Buildouts or Renovations
    – Operating Licenses
    – Permitting and Fees
    – Utilities
    – Vehicle Purchases/Leasing

Reimbursable Grant

• Grant Amount: $35,000
• Years in Business: 3 through 10 years from business formation date
• Stage of Business: Minimum of 2 years of documented revenues
• Business must hire 1 full-time LMI Norfolk resident
• Employee Count: Must have no more than 50 employees
• Business must have documented hiring experience
• Allowable Purchases include but are not limited to:
  • – Supplies
    – Equipment
    – Inventory
    – Furniture
    – Training
    – Professional Services
• Ineligible Purchases:
  • – Payroll/Salaries
    – Rent
    – Insurance
    – Real Estate
    – Interior and Exterior Buildouts or Renovations
    – Operating Licenses
    – Permitting and Fees
    – Utilities
    – Vehicle Purchases/Leasing

Our Department will host 6 workshops around the City of Norfolk. Please note: EVERY applicant is required to attend at least one workshop. You will not be eligible to apply without a certificate received at the end of the workshop.

VIRTUAL LINKS:

July 10 @ 11am
norfolkcapvirtual.eventbrite.com

July 10 @ 6pm
norfolkcapvirtual2.eventbrite.com

• The Application Portal is open at 8:00 am on Tuesday, July 15, 2025