Frequently Asked Questions
- Member of the Fifteen Percent Pledge Business Equity Community. You can join by signing up here: Create account
- Business has an annual revenue of at least $500,000
- Business must be BIPOC or woman-owned: At least one self-identifying person with 50% or more equity in the company identifies as BIPOC or female
- Business must be operational for at least 1 year
- Business must sell a CPG product
- Business must be US-based and legally incorporated
- Business must demonstrate that community impact is core to your business
Finalists will be notified through the main contact email provided in their application.
Grant recipients will receive a cash award. Please note grants may be 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.
Yes, but your business must be incorporated and legally operating in the United States of America.
It may be subject to local 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.
Please email brands@15pp.org with a short description and screenshot of your issue.
Due to the overwhelming amount of applications we receive, our team does not have the capacity to provide feedback on individual applications.
See questions here: Application tips and resources
You will be prompted to upload files through the application portal, if you have any issues uploading, please contact brands@15pp.org.
No.
Please email brands@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
Are 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?
Individuals can also donate here to support the Pledge's general operations and long-term organizational growth.