Marketing Assistance Program

The Lake Street Council’s Marketing Assistance Program offers businesses and non-profits direct marketing and branding support to increase customer acquisition and retention.

Marketing Assistance Program

Please review all the information below to understand the eligibility requirements before applying. 

The Lake Street Council recognizes that an online presence and developing a strong brand play an important role in improving overall business and nonprofit success. Marketing and branding is a vital part of success and long-term growth. The funds for this program come from different sources and the eligibility and maximum grant amounts are based on location, type of project, and other factors like racial equity, organization size, and more. We can’t guarantee that funding will be available for your project, but we will do our best to help you access any funding you are eligible for. 

The Lake Street Council’s Marketing Assistance Program supports small businesses in developing comprehensive marketing and branding plans, connecting them with direct service providers for no-cost services to increase customer acquisition and retention.

This program is currently a part of Lake Street Lift: boosting businesses, arts, and places. Certain geographic and time restrictions might apply.

Please review all the information below to understand the eligibility requirements before applying.

If you have questions, please get in touch with one of the following individuals:

Yusra Mohamud
Business Advisor
612-295-1515
yusra@lakestreetcouncil.org

Marie Campos*
Communications and Marketing Manager
612-447-8924
marie@lakestreetcouncil.org

*Contact only if you are an interested contractor or marketing firm.

Website redesign for Novedades Krystal

Program Overview

Type of Funding: Marketing assistance paid directly to the contractor. Reimbursement is not eligible for this program.

Application Deadline & Review Process: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications are reviewed weekly by Lake Street Council staff.

Max Funding Amount: $10,000, with an average funding amount of $1,500 - $5,000

Program Details

Eligibility

Who can apply? 

  • Business owners

  • Non-profit organizations

Geography:

  • All projects must occur for a business or non-profit that is located within the Lake Street corridor, which is defined as the area bounded by West River Parkway on the east, 26th Street on the north, the border of Minneapolis and St. Louis Park on the west, and 34th Street on the south.

Eligible organizations must:

Businesses and non-profits are eligible to receive up to $10,000 in contracted marketing support if they meet the following conditions:

  • Conducting a marketing intake with a member of the Lake Street Council team

  • Applicants do not currently have a contract with a marketing firm for service.

Preference will be given to organizations that:

  • Have opened on or after January 1, 2022.

  • Are members of the Lake Street Council.

  • Do not currently have a website and/or social media presence.

  • Applicants have less than 20 full-time employees.

  • Applicants do not have an employee dedicated to marketing.

Limited funding is available for businesses and non-profits that do not meet the criteria: 

  • Lake Street address between Nicollet Ave S and 30th Ave S.

  • Capacity to complete the program by June 30, 2025.

Requirements to receive funding:

  • Businesses must work directly with the paid contractor and/or the Lake Street Council to receive at least 2 hours of training on marketing best practices to receive the funding.

  • Projects must be completed within 5 months of the start of the contract.

Use of Funding

This dropdown menu shows the eligible projects for the Lake Street Council’s Marketing Program.

If you do not see the type of project you need to complete or have questions about eligible projects, please speak with a staff member from our Business Engagement Team listed above.

This funding does not provide content creation or platform management services.

  • Max Amount: $10,000

    Supporting businesses with their online presence and what happens when individuals search for them online. Includes items like:

    • Google My Business - maps, search, etc. 

    • Review platforms - Yelp, etc. 

    • Website creation and development

  • Max Amount: $10,000

    Supporting businesses with creating their social media and best practices for using social media.

    Does notinclude content creation

  • Max Amount: $10,000

    Supporting businesses with the look and feel of their businesses. Includes items like:

    • Logos

    • Photography

    • Graphics

  • Max Amount: $10,000

    Supporting businesses with overall marketing, reaching and growing their customer base.

  • Max Amount: $10,000

    Helping businesses understand how paid and unpaid advertising works and teaching them how to utilize it for their business. 

  • Max Amount: $10,000

    Helping businesses understand how paid and unpaid advertising works and teaching them how to utilize it for their business.

  • Max Amount: $10,000

    Supporting storefronts visual merchandising & store design

What to Expect

After you submit this interest form, a Lake Street Council staff member will respond within 3-4 business days to confirm your eligibility and give you further detailed information about the types of funding available for your project. 

As every business and non-profit differs, 3-4 business days are needed to assess the information you provided and respond with the correct next steps.

If your marketing and branding needs are eligible for the program, you are required to fill out a participation agreement and connect to a contractor to begin services.

Once your projects are completed, Lake Street Council must receive a summary of the assistance provided and hard or soft copies of any assets created. You will also be encouraged to provide feedback on your experience and be highlighted on our Not Just a Business Blog.

This interest form is the first step toward applying for this program.