3R’s program stands for “Recover. Rebuild. Resilience.” It is an online program that helps for-profit businesses reevaluate their business models, pivot where necessary, set a targeted growth strategy, and execute with a clear roadmap.

It combines online learning with live webinars, coaching, and grants to help Black and Brown businesses survive and thrive.

In addition to the online learning and community, Black and Brown businesses in eligible cities are invited to apply for $5,000 in grant funding.

For-profit businesses that are either incorporated or have a residential address in supported cities are eligible for funding. For more details about grant eligibility, please see our eligibility document here.

You do not have to complete the online programming to receive a grant application but if you are awarded a grant, you must complete the online learning and receive coaching in order to receive the full payment.

Once accepted into the program, you will get access to online learning and weekly webinars. We have curated 8 chapters with about 20 hours of content.

This content is designed to give you direction on the core strategies you need to establish and implement within your business and can be consumed on your own time and convenience.

The webinars are designed to provide additional insight and guidance to you as a founder, we feature successful entrepreneurs, host workshops, and provide real-time guidance. While recommended, you do not have to attend the webinars in order to qualify for funding.

The program application takes about 15 minutes. There are no specific materials needed to apply. But you should come prepared to articulate key points about your business, your product, and the customers you sell to.

Once you complete the online material, a business coach is made available to help guide you through the implementation phase. Additional resources are made available including access to content, the Slack community, and additional assets and collateral. 

Yes, we collect program onboarding information that helps us better understand your business and your needs. The grant application is short and provides information about your funding request, how you will apply the funds and the impact.

Black and Brown businesses who apply for grant funding are required to enroll in business coaching. Other businesses that are not eligible for funding, can receive coaching upon request. However, it is not required for businesses that do not receive funding.

All of what we ask in the funding application is covered in the online learning. We ask you about your market, your customer segments, how you plan to use the funding, etc. so we can make an informed decision.

There are three dimensions we use to make a funding decision so make sure you adequately articulate the below:

1.     Need: Explain your unique position and why the funding is critical

2.     Clarity: Articulate the milestones you will achieve through funding + strategy

3.     Impact: What business results will follow our investment?

You must complete the necessary courses on Thinkific and enroll in business coaching to qualify to receive funding the full funding. Further details about the process are provided at time of award.

We hope to review applications within a week of submission. Depending on application volume it may take a little longer. 

Once you submit the required documentation and they are verified, our goal is to fund your grant within 14 business days.

To receive grant funding, you must be a Black-owned or Brown owned for-profit business. The initial funding round was for DC businesses only. As of April 2021, we expanded to additional cities through our partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation. Please follow this link to see the list of eligible cities.

You do not need to be Black-owned to access programming support or coaching through 3Rs.

There are 50 grants available in the initial round for DC businesses and 100 grants collectively available for the other 3R cities.

Grant awards are $5,000.

Businesses have to display knowledge of the curriculum and tangibly attainable business goals to receive grant funding. Businesses also have to meet the eligibility requirements.

Businesses are eligible to receive coaching for at least 12 months after completing the program.