Applications close on August 31.
The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity has pledged to support businesses in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland through £50,000 in grants this year.
The charity is welcoming applications for grants of up to £5,000 to support businesses in the county.
Following a hugely successful pilot business grant scheme in 2021, the charity has ensured further support be delivered in the same way this year. It comes as the country continues to recover from the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ammo Khan, Trustee at The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity leading the grants scheme, commented: “Last year’s pilot scheme was a huge success, so I am delighted that we will be running our business grant scheme again this year.
"As a charity, supporting local business is our main focus and to be able to provide these grants is something we’re very proud to offer during difficult times for many.
"Having first-hand spoken to some of our recipients last year, our grants really made a difference and helped strengthen businesses. I hope we can do more of the same this year.”
A number of businesses benefited from the charity’s funding last year including CEL Sports Ltd in Glen Parva, and Giulia Mio Millinery in Makers' Yard, Rutland Street.
CEL Sports owner and head coach Scott Moore, said: "The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity helped us stay alive as a business.
"When the country was in lockdown, we weren’t able to work and we ended up losing around nine months of revenue. It cost us massively and it stunted our growth.
"The grant scheme was launched just as we were coming out of lockdown to support businesses.
"We capitalised on that opportunity to help us buy new materials like laptops, improve our gym and the equipment there, allow us to implement a marketing plan to advertise what we’re doing and give us a base to spread our name out there a bit more.”
Founder of Giulia Mio Millinery, Guiia Mio, said: “The charity provided something of a ‘double relief’ for me. Because I work in a shared studio, the Government funding meant that we had to split it and I wasn’t eligible for the full amount.
"Finding out that there was a local charity that was willing to provide some financial support was a moment where all I could say was, ‘thank goodness’.
"I felt that the charity was thinking about people like me, or those that share my workspace. Even if I was unsuccessful in applying, I was happy that there was an organisation in Leicester with good intentions.”
Whereas the charity’s interest-free business loans are to be repaid, these grants of up to £5,000 require no repayment by recipients at all.
Anybody interested in applying for a business grant of up to £5,000 from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity can do by submitting an online application.
Applications must be submitted by August 31. They will be reviewed by the grant committee, with final decisions taken on grant awards during the week commencing September 12.
It's great that they're offering up to £5,000 to help businesses grow. Speaking of financial support, I've had a great experience with citywide banks customer service. They've been so helpful in guiding me through business banking options. It's amazing how banks can provide valuable advice and resources for small businesses looking to expand. I hope many Leicester entrepreneurs take advantage of this grant and make our city even more vibrant!