Midland, Michigan - The Midland Business Alliance, in partnership with the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation, has launched the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation Small Business Capacity-Building Grant Program, designed to help local entrepreneurs strengthen their operations, increase resilience and drive long-term growth.
This new opportunity invests directly in the sustainability and success of small businesses in Midland County by helping owners build the internal systems and strategies needed to thrive in an evolving marketplace.
The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation Small Business Capacity-Building Grant program focuses on strengthening the foundation of a business by supporting expert coaching and advisory services that will assist our businesses to enhance financial management, marketing effectiveness, technology adoption or operational efficiency.
The funding structure is designed as a shared investment in business success. Participating businesses must contribute one-third of the total project cost. The remaining two-thirds is funded through generous support from the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation and administered by the Midland Business Alliance.
Grant awards will range from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the scope and cost of the proposed project.
“Philanthropy has the greatest impact when it strengthens the foundation beneath a community’s future. Midland’s small businesses are more than storefronts, they are family legacies, neighborhood anchors and engines of opportunity," said Kim Baczewski, president and CEO of the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation. "By investing in the internal capacity of these businesses, we are helping ensure they have the tools, insight, and resilience to endure and grow. We are proud to partner with the Midland Business Alliance to make thoughtful, catalytic investments that will benefit Midland County for years to come.”
Eligible expenses include:
● Financial Coaching
● Marketing and Merchandising Coaching
● Business Process Optimization
● Entrepreneurial Operating System Coaching
● Technology and Digital Transformation
To qualify, businesses must be headquartered in Midland County, employ 25 or fewer employees, demonstrate a need for capacity-building assistance and commit to the required cost share.
Applications will open at 8 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, and will be accepted until 8 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026, and can be accessed here.
By helping small businesses operate more efficiently, strengthen financial management, modernize technology and develop growth strategies, this program is expected to generate lasting community impact — from increased job stability and economic resilience to stronger local shopping districts and expanded services for residents.
“This grant program reflects the commitment of the Midland Business Alliance and the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation to fostering a vibrant, sustainable and prosperous small business community,” said Nicole Wilson, vice president of Economic Development at the Midland Business Alliance. “Small businesses are at the heart of Midland County’s economy. By investing in local entrepreneurs and strengthening their internal operations — from financial systems to marketing and technology — we’re helping them grow with confidence, create jobs and contribute to a stronger, more resilient business ecosystem across our community.”
To learn more and apply, visit https://form.jotform.com/260284415672155.