A note from
Council Member Rocque Perez
For decades, Ward Five has received less public and private investment than other parts of Tucson—leaving many families, neighborhoods, and businesses with aging infrastructure, limited resources, and fewer opportunities to thrive.
As part of a broader commitment to reversing that legacy, I’m partnering with Groundswell Capital to launch a unified grant program that invests in both small businesses and community-serving organizations across the South Side, Southeast, Gateway Corridor, and Historic Barrios of Ward Five.
​
Whether you’re a local entrepreneur or a nonprofit working to improve lives in our neighborhoods, I invite you to apply for flexible, impactful funding designed to meet our community’s needs and dreams.
From the office of
Mayor Regina Romero
This initiative reflects Mayor Regina Romero’s commitment to advancing inclusive economic development and ensuring that prosperity reaches all communities.
Under her leadership and through the Transform Tucson Initiative, the City has deployed millions in low-barrier loans and grants to historically underserved small businesses—and established the Tucson Small Business Center to provide long-term support for our city’s entrepreneurs.
​
We are proud to expand this work by offering two competitive grants—one for small businesses, and one for community programs—each providing up to $5,000 in flexible funding.
Small Business & Community Programs
Grant Overview
We are pleased to offer flexible funding of up to $5,000 to support your small business or nonprofit community program needs.
PURPOSE
Our mission is to support Ward Five-based small businesses and community programs with flexible funding that promotes growth, stability, and recovery. Through this initiative, we aim to uplift the South Side, Southeast, Gateway Corridor, and Historic Barrios.
USE OF FUND
Funding may be used for equipment or supplies, renovations or capital improvements, staffing or consultant costs, operational expenses and program delivery and expansion.
Whether you run a coffee shop, host after-school programs, or offer culturally rooted services, these grants are designed to meet many needs.
IDEAL APPLICANT
We encourage applications from locally owned small businesses and DBAs, including storefronts, mobile vendors, home-based operations, in addition to nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored groups, and educational institutions.
PRIORITY
Priority will be given to businesses and nonprofits located in underserved areas or target corridors, and those demonstrating community investment and need.
How to Apply
PROFILE
Create a business or program profile and description
USE OF FUNDS
Describe how you will use the funds.
PROOF
Provide proof of Ward Five Operation
IMPACT
Provide a brief community impact statement or letter of support
CONTACT US
Application Support
We are here to support you in the application process! Twice a week we hold open office hours where you are welcome to swing by the Tucson Small Business Center for personalized assistance, in both Spanish and English.
​​​
Tuesdays 10:00am-12:00pm
Thursdays 2:00pm-4:00pm
​
600 S Meyer Ave, Tucson Arizona
Ward Five
In order to receive funding through this program, your project or business must be located in Ward Five.
​
If you business is a mobile company, at least 75% of your revenue must come from the Ward 5.​
Our funding for this program is restricted to this area only. However, we also have other grant opportunities, such as the Rio Nuevo Impact Grants.
To confirm which Ward your business is in, place your address in the search bar.
More Eligibility Information
Small Business Grant Eligibiity
Purpose: Provide temporary public assistance to small business owners to stabilize and strengthen their operations in ways that demonstrably benefit the local economy and community.
Allowable Use of Funds:
-
Direct expenses that support business continuity for an essential service in an underserved area or nonprofit service delivery.
-
Equipment, technology, supplies upgrades and training to increase energy efficiency or assist with record keeping and legal compliance directly tied to demonstrated program or operational need.
-
Facility improvements required for code, accessibility, or safety compliance.
-
Workforce retention, training, or direct program delivery staff.
Not Allowable Use of Funds:
-
General debt service or repayment of existing loans.
-
Personal expenses or owner compensation beyond normal payroll.
-
Luxury or non-essential purchases
-
Political or religious activity.
-
General expenses for payroll, inventory, and supplies
-
Projects without a clear connection to demonstrated need and community economic benefit
Nonprofit Grant Eligibility
Purpose: Support nonprofit organizations whose work provides a direct public benefit assistance to needy community residents, especially underserved populations.
​
Allowable Uses of Grant Funds:
-
Direct expenses that support business continuity or nonprofit service delivery.
-
Equipment, technology, supplies directly tied to program or operational need.
-
Facility improvements required for code, accessibility, or safety compliance.
-
Workforce retention, training, or direct program delivery staff.
​​
Not Allowed:
-
General debt service or repayment of existing loans.
-
Personal expenses or owner compensation beyond normal payroll.
-
Luxury or non-essential purchases.
-
Political or religious activity.
-
Projects without a clear connection to public benefit