The Fifteen Percent Pledge Achievement Award
Supporting Black Entrepreneurs
presented by
Frequently Asked Questions
See FAQs here for more information. Got additional questions? Email brands@15pp.org
- Member of the Fifteen Percent Pledge Business Equity Community. You can join by signing up here: Create account
- Has presence on Google Shopping
- E-commerce business with minimum annual revenue of $100,000
- Black-owned: At least one self-identifying Black person with 50% or more equity in the company
- Has between 2-15 employees, including the founder
Finalists will be notified through the main contact email provided in their application
Grant recipients will receive a cash award. Please note grants are paid out in multiple disbursements.
No.
We do not accept product samples during the call for applications.
The information you provide will be available to the Fifteen Percent Pledge team and members of the review committee only. Please note that all committee members have signed a non-disclosure agreement.
Yes, but your business must be incorporated and legally operating in the United States of America.
It may be subject to taxation. Payment of all and any taxes in relation to the cash award is the sole responsibility of the award winner.
English.
We will not accept any applications after the deadline.
Due to the overwhelming number of applications we receive, our team does not have the capacity to provide feedback on individual applications.
See questions here: Application tips and resources
Yes, presence on Google Shopping is a requirement for eligibility.
We recommend uploading your videos to a video platform like Youtube and Vimeo or a cloud-sharing platform like Box. Then, share a link to the videos as part of the application.
Similar to the video responses, we recommend uploading your statements to sharing platforms like Youtube or Box. Then, share a link to the statements as part of the application.
Yes, but you will not be eligible to move forward.
Given the size of this award, it’s important that the winner has a business idea that has demonstrated success in the market.
Yes.
No.
Please email grants@15pp.org with a short description and screenshot of your issue.
About the Fifteen Percent Pledge
The Fifteen Percent Pledge is a racial equity and economic justice non-profit organization addressing the inequities that exist throughout the American consumer economy and working towards closing the racial wealth gap. In recognition that Black people in the U.S. compromise nearly 15% of the population, the Fifteen Percent Pledge calls on major retailers and corporations to commit a minimum of 15% of their shelf space, sales revenue, and annual spend to support Black-owned businesses. In 2022, the Pledge was the recipient of Fast Company's Most Innovative Company of the Year Award.
For more than four years, Fifteen Percent Pledge has been working alongside major corporations to re-evaluate their organizational structures, funding streams, and supply chains, in order to create new economic opportunities and greater equity for Black businesses.
To date, more than 30 corporate partners have helped us create the potential to shift $14B to Black businesses. Despite this progress, there is still so much work to do to ensure an inclusive economy and an equitable future for Black entrepreneurs.
Donations
If you are a founder, venture capitalist, corporate employee, or other leader who wants to invest or contribute to funding a grant for a Black business owner, please email us
You can also donate here to support the Pledge’s general operations and long-term organizational growth.