Support Us Button Widget

Downtown Raleigh Alliance awards nearly $90,000 in grants to diverse businesses

Nine businesses of all kinds were individually awarded up to $15,000 to support their storefronts from the Downtown Raleigh Alliance.

December 20, 2023 • 
Allie Remhof
The Hippo wine bar.

The Hippo is one of nine businesses awarded funding in 2023 by the DRA’s Storefront Upfit Grant program.

Photo provided by Downtown Raleigh Alliance

The Downtown Raleigh Alliance allotted $87,500 in funding to nine businesses owned by those who identify as minorities, women, LGBTQ+, veterans, or people with a disability as part of the 2023 Storefront Upfit Grant program.

The following storefronts received grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000:

“DRA is dedicated to fostering a thriving small business community in Downtown Raleigh,” said Will Gaskins, Vice President of Economic Development & Planning at Downtown Raleigh Alliance, in a press release. “These grants are a testament to our commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and enhancing the economic vitality of the area.”

The next deadline for downtown grant applications is Feb. 1, 2024 — storefront business owners can learn more about eligibility + the application process online.

    More from RALtoday
    A rendering of Swing's pickleball area.
    Sports
    Play like a pro at these local pickleball spots
    Raleigh has plenty of pickleball courts to show off your stuff — keep reading to learn about the sport and where to swing it in the City of Oaks.
    September 16, 2025
     · 
    Laura Brummett
    TodaysBest-NominationsOpen-Hero_RAL.png
    City
    Spread the local love with RALtoday’s Best
    Make your voice heard, nominate your favorite local biz and they could win RALtoday’s Best Competition.
    September 15, 2025
     · 
    Staff
    Charming white two-story house with a front porch, warm lights, and potted plants. Evening setting with trees and neighboring houses in view.
    Travel and Outdoors
    Guest House Raleigh becomes a MICHELIN-certified stay
    The downtown boutique hotel has joined four other destinations in the Raleigh area to be awarded this distinction from MICHELIN Guide experts.
    September 12, 2025
     · 
    Haley Bartlett
    RAL_CapuletCocktailClub_SEPT2025
    Food
    Fall in love with Capulet Cocktail Club, midtown’s first cocktail bar
    Inspired by “Romeo & Juliet” and Italian films, this new cocktail club at The Exchange comes from the same mind Watts & Ward and Peregrine.
    September 11, 2025
     · 
    Allie Remhof
    RAL_LimePressPhoto_AUG2025
    City
    How to use Lime and Spin e-bikes in Raleigh
    Electric-assist bikes are coming to downtown Raleigh, and they can start and stop just about anywhere. Here’s what you need to know before you hit the road.
    September 9, 2025
     · 
    Allie Remhof
    Someone swinging a golf club with fall colored trees.
    City
    Tee it up at these Triangle golf courses
    Whether you’re a weekend warrior, or the next Tiger Woods, these 18 golf courses around Raleigh are sure to make for a good round.
    September 8, 2025
     · 
    Cat George
    A Spirit Halloween store in a retail plaza. The building has a red roof and cars line the parking lot.
    Culture
    Ghosts of Raleigh’s past: Shop 9 Spirit Halloween locations
    The store finds vacant retail spaces and signs temporary leases to set up shop leading up to Halloween — but locations can change each year.
    September 4, 2025
     · 
    Haley Bartlett
    1. Exterior render of dark brick townhomes. 2. Interior photo of a white kitchen, fully staged.
    Sponsored
    Inside the new homes of this live-work-play-learn community
    Sponsored by
    RAL_terminal2RDUsunset_SEPT2025
    Work
    All you need to know about RDU
    To help make your entire process at RDU as smooth as possible, we’ve created a guide that covers everything from gates and parking to details on the airport’s 48 nonstop routes.
    September 3, 2025
     · 
    Staff
    Japanese Breakfast plays Hopscotch 2023 in Raleigh NC.
    City
    No wristband, no problem: How to enjoy Hopscotch for free
    Raleigh’s favorite indie rock fest is celebrating 15 years in downtown, and while you need a wristband to see the headliners + many club shows, you can still have plenty of fun without a ticket. Here’s how to enjoy Hopscotch without a wristband.
    September 2, 2025
     · 
    Allie Remhof