The Empowering Growth Small Business Grant
Exciting News from M&F Bank
At M&F Bank, we believe in the power of small businesses to strengthen our communities. That’s why we launched the Empowering Growth Small Business Grant, providing thousands in funding to support entrepreneurs across North Carolina.
Eligibility Requirements
Applications for our 2026 Empowering Growth Small Business Grant with updated eligibility criteria are designed to welcome more businesses like yours!
Read About the Eligibility Criteria
- Your business must have gross revenues of $750,000 or less
- You must have been in business for ten (10) years or less as of January 31, 2026
- The business entity listed on the application must have been an M&F Bank customer on or before January 31, 2025.
- Your small business must have twenty-five (25) employees or fewer, including yourself
- Your M&F Bank business account(s) must be in good standing
- Your business must operate in Guilford or the surrounding counties.
Previous grant recipients are not eligible to apply. Certain entities, such as nonprofits, real estate investment firms, businesses with M&F Bank vendor ties, and M&F Bank employees or their relatives, are also ineligible. Eligibility rules are subject to change at any time.
Empowering NC Small Businesses: 2024–2025 Grant Winners
Empowering Growth Grant Program
Empowering Growth Funds $ Awarded to Date
Celebrating Our 2025-2026 Winners
As part of our Empowering Growth Grant Program, we will proudly award grant funds to six outstanding small businesses—each making a difference in their local markets:
2026 Durham Winner: Adiah Oyefesobi, CNM, Special Beginnings Midwifery
2026 Raleigh Winner: Wanda Short, Sherrill’s University of Barbering & Cosmetology
2025 Winston-Salem Winner:Â Stephanie Miles, IV SMiles Hydration & Wellness
2025 Greensboro Winner: Nandrea Ward, Outsource Marketing Solutions
2025 Charlotte Winner: Kiesha Battle, IAMYOGA
2025 Durham Winner: Perry Tankard III, Inthemix Productions
Together, we can build stronger communities—one small business at a time.
Celebrating Our 2024 Winners
As part of our inaugural Empowering Growth Grant Program, we proudly awarded grant funds to six outstanding small businesses—each making a difference in their local markets:
2024 Durham Winner: Juantia Applewhite, NP of Legacy Homecare Services
2024 Winston-Salem Winner: Dr. Linda P. McRae of HOPE Counseling Services
2024 Greensboro Winner: Sation Konchellah of Grace Counseling and Wellness PLLC
2024 Charlotte Winners: Dr Nicole Calhoun of Simply Skin Body & Spa PLLC & Dustin Counts of CoolWood Urban Forestry
2024 Raleigh Winner: David Daniels of Daniels Distributors
Together, we can build stronger communities—one small business at a time.