Overland Park Small Business Micro Grant

The Overland Park Small Business Micro Grant is a pilot funding initiative launched by the Overland Park Chamber's Economic Development Council to support the growth and development of small businesses within the city of Overland Park, Kansas. This locally administered grant program is designed to provide micro-level funding assistance to businesses that are operational, financially stable, and committed to investing in their own improvement or innovation. With a focused application window from January 5 to March 15, the program invites eligible businesses to apply for grant awards ranging from $500 to $3,000. The core objective of this micro grant initiative is to catalyze sustainable improvements in business capacity, workforce development, and operational resilience. Funding may be used to support a variety of business-enhancing activities, including staff training, professional certifications, internships for high school or college students, technology upgrades such as point-of-sale systems or connectivity improvements, minor business improvements (e.g., signage, repairs, or awnings), new equipment, commercialization strategies, and early-stage proof-of-concept efforts. All funded activities are expected to directly strengthen the business's operations or service capacity within the local community. Applicants must be small businesses operating within Overland Park, Kansas, with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees. Eligibility also requires that the applicant be in good standing with the State of Kansas and have been in continuous operation for at least one year. Businesses must also demonstrate overall financial stability, as this is a key evaluation criterion. Furthermore, applicants are expected to match the grant amount requested—up to $3,000—through monetary or in-kind contributions aligned with the proposed project. This cost share reflects the program’s emphasis on co-investment and long-term sustainability. Applications are submitted online through a dedicated application portal (https://bit.ly/OpGrant). The submission process requires applicants to outline their proposed use of funds, demonstrate how their project aligns with one of the program's eligible funding areas, and provide basic business and financial information to verify compliance with eligibility requirements. There are no additional pre-application steps such as a Letter of Intent or concept paper; however, applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review all guidance and expectations available through the portal. Submitted applications will be evaluated based on multiple factors, including business tenure, alignment with funding priorities, financial stability, and capacity to execute the proposed project. While the specific scoring methodology is not detailed in the public announcement, these focus areas provide transparency around the selection framework used by the Economic Development Council. Award notifications are expected to be issued following the close of the application period, although no exact date for notification or project start is provided. This grant represents a localized investment in Overland Park's entrepreneurial ecosystem, offering targeted financial support to businesses willing to grow their capabilities. While it is currently described as a pilot program, there is no confirmed indication of whether future cycles will be offered. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to Katie Lindgren at [email protected] for any additional questions.