Perfectly Flawless storefront. (Photo: Rasheed Z. Ajamu)
This story was done in collaboration with Equally Informed Philly, another Resolve Philly program that distributes vetted, actionable news, stories, and resources centered on the perspectives and information needs of underrepresented communities.
2026 is poised to bring a flood of opportunities to Germantown business owners, with spectators from around the globe expected to descend on the city for semiquincentennial celebrations. While many local outlets are reaping additional revenue through the holiday season, 2025 has been a volatile year for businesses across sectors.
To that end, GIH has rounded up the options for relief, with a list of upcoming and free local resources and grants that can help take your business to the next level.
The Merchant’s Fund
The Merchant’s Fund currently has two open grant opportunities. Emergency SNAP Grants are available through December 31, 2025, to markets with physical storefronts that SNAP cuts have impacted. You must be able to show the financial impact of the SNAP pause on your business, have less than $2M in revenue, and meet other eligibility requirements. The maximum grant amount is $10,000.
Emergency grants of up to $20,000 are open to businesses that have experienced disruption due to a natural disaster, vandalism, utility outage, or public works project near the property. Small and micro business owners with yearly revenue less than $500,000, including those that have traditionally had limited access to capital, will be prioritized.
The Mayor’s Business Action Team
The Mayor’s Business Action Team provides free support for business owners seeking help with financial planning, growth, mentorship, navigating licenses and permits, and more. Designated business service managers are assigned to geographic regions throughout the city, with expertise in retail, wholesale, food service, and professional services, and can be contacted for individual assistance.
Germantowners can reach out to our business service manager, Kareemah Abdur-Rahim, at kareemah.abdur-rahim@phila.gov with questions. If you live outside Germantown, you can email business@phila.gov to find your business service manager.
Free Headshots
Business owners in need of fresh photos can get free headshots at Joseph E. Coleman Library on three separate dates this December and January. Aaron Stallworth captures your best business-savvy pose from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on December 13th, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on January 3rd, and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on January 6th.
The City of Philadelphia
The city incentivizes employers to hire returning citizens through its Fair Chance Hiring Initiative. City-registered small and mid-sized businesses earning less than $5M in annual revenue, in good tax standing, are eligible to receive wage reimbursement at $6/hr and a one-time $500 employment retention grant per hire. Partner organizations refer candidates, and businesses can get support during the new hire period, as well as information on best practices, while in the program. Employees must be paid $16/hr for at least 21 hours per week, and keep their hires for at least 90 days.
It pays to offer a living wage through the city’s Quality Jobs Program. Employers that pay the BIRT tax and have been operating for at least one year can claim $7000 per job up to 25 jobs on their first application to the program, and $5000 per job on subsequent applications. The program is open to businesses that compensate employees at least $16.82 for full-time positions with 30 hours of work per week, or 1500 hours of work per year. Employers must also receive paid time off of at least one hour for every 40 hours worked, and an employer contribution toward healthcare.
Community College of Philadelphia
Community College of Philadelphia offers online workshops through its Power Up Your Business series. Upcoming workshops for store owners include Future Proof Your Business: How to Close Out 2025 and Prepare for 2026 (December 10), and How to Pass What You’ve Built on to the Next Generation (January 20). They also offer in-person peer-based learning cohorts three times per year, and a mix of virtual and in-person workshops covering Industry Best Practices.
Visit Philly’s Destination Optimization Program
Following a series of in-person workshops held in November, Visit Philadelphia has compiled a series of free online materials designed to prepare Philadelphia businesses to capitalize on the influx of tourists expected in the city next year and beyond. Entrepreneurs will find a suite of tools, including webinars and individual consultations, providing guidance on the best ways to boost visibility and market to consumers.
GIH caught up with a couple of business owners in the neighborhood who made it to the in-person session at Braid Mill and enthusiastically endorsed its value.
“Getting your information out on social media, how to make it appealing…I thought it was great. I can’t believe there are businesses that didn’t go,” said Kathy Sutton, co-owner of G-Town Tees.
Both Sutton and Crystal Jackson, owner of Perfectly Flawless Boutique, believe that the Destination Optimization resources can be helpful in ensuring that Germantown businesses are able to capitalize on 2026 activities, many of which will take place in Center City or other parts of Philadelphia.
“I saw on the news the other day how they’re fixing up downtown…and I was like, oh, that’s nice, okay, they’re getting ready. But don’t forget about Germantown, now! Because again, if businesses don’t have any traffic, we can’t keep our doors open,” Jackson said.
Destination Optimization lessons include AI fluency, social media management, and more.
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