BGE Energizing Small Business Grants (2025)

The BGE Energizing Small Business Grants program is administered by Circular Board, Inc. doing business as Hello Alice, in partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN). It is funded by BGE, a Maryland-based utility company providing electric and gas services. This initiative is part of BGE’s ongoing effort to support the growth and sustainability of small businesses within its service area. The grant program offers financial assistance to eligible small businesses to help them recover, grow, and thrive in the current economic climate. The program provides grants of $20,000 to approximately 90 recipients, intended for use at the discretion of the businesses to support their operational goals. These grants are unrestricted but are awarded based on clearly outlined criteria that include demonstrated financial need, the clarity and feasibility of the proposed use of funds, and commitment to community engagement. The grant is open to for-profit businesses that have been operational for at least one year, have no more than 25 full-time employees, and earned less than $7 million in gross revenue in 2024. Applicants must be legal U.S. residents, 18 years or older (19 in AL and NE), and must not have previously received funding from this program. Eligibility also requires that the business be located and registered in Maryland, be an active BGE electric and/or gas customer, and be in or working toward good standing with the State of Maryland. Nonprofits are not eligible. Sole proprietors are considered eligible and individuals running the business alone who do not draw a paycheck are counted as full-time employees. Each business and individual may submit only one application. Applications opened on April 7, 2025, and must be submitted by June 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM Eastern Time. Submissions are completed online via the Hello Alice platform. The application includes questions about the business's needs, growth plans, and community engagement. Applications cannot be modified after submission. Recipients will be notified in August 2025 following a multi-round review process. Applications are evaluated based on three key criteria: demonstrated need for the funds (35%), clarity and feasibility of the plan for using the funds (45%), and demonstrated commitment to the community (20%). Tips for crafting a strong application are provided through Hello Alice’s resources including a written guide and a recorded workshop. Technical support is available by contacting alice@helloalice.com. More details and full terms are available at the Hello Alice website.

Review “Write a Winning Grant Application” guide and “Pro-Tips Workshop” video available on Hello Alice site