If you live in the Tarrant, Collin, or Dallas counties in Texas and want to elevate your business by registering it as a Limited Liability Corporation, a grant opportunity called the Texas 1000 Project is something to consider.
The Texas 1000 Project’s LLC Grant and Funding Readiness Program aims to provide business owners with a grant of up to $500 for the registration and fees of the State of Texas Limited Liability Corporation formation. According to organization founder and executive director Booker T. Spencer, the program is not just a course—it’s a transformative force and a driver of economic empowerment. This grant was created to provide business owners with the necessary resources to compete effectively in today’s business landscape.
“The Texas 1000 Project is a technical assistance program designed to dismantle barriers in entrepreneurship and facilitate opportunities for economic and social advancement,” Booker T., who is also a certified career coach, said. “The pandemic brought about an interesting situation where people were getting laid off their jobs and because I’m an entrepreneur in the market, a lot of people were coming to me asking about advice for start-up entrepreneurship, but what we noticed is that people didn’t have a lot of start-up capital.”
The program equips diverse entrepreneurs, especially from Black and Brown communities, with essential skills to navigate complex funding challenges effectively. By enabling access to crucial capital, the organization is fostering a robust, inclusive entrepreneurial landscape in Texas, advancing one LLC at a time.
Booker T. says the organization started off doing technical assistance for small businesses but noticed that alone wasn’t enough. The Texas 1000 Project gets its fulfillment by helping those looking to gain insight into entrepreneurship.
“We’re not just talking the talk, but we’re assisting start-up entrepreneurs to get to that next level. It helps people to know that their idea is viable, and it is a business,” Booker T. said.
So far, the Texas 1000 Project has established eight LLCs. The organization intends to help 12 more business owners establish their LLCs by the end of the year. The organization has assisted over 120 start-up businesses through several training classes based on scalable concepts and enterprise thinking.
Applicants are required to complete a mini business plan within 30 days, including two to five-year goals worksheets. The LLC being formed must be the applicant’s first LLC in the State of Texas. Applicants must also be capable of opening a business checking account.
Participants must attend two of our virtual online training classes as part of the program requirements.
Booker T. encourages applicants to have an open mind.
“Get ready to be introduced to incite that you may not have heard before, as it relates to entrepreneurship,” he said.
The organization is accepting applications until Aug. 15, 2024. Spots are limited. Booker T. says the organization plans to expand to Houston and other Texas areas in 2025. For more information, visit texas1000project.org.
Program Qualifications
In order to participate in the Limited Liability Corporation Grant Four-Week Program, applicants must:
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Possess a valid identification card or Texas driver’s license.
• Provide posted mail with their name that matches the provided ID or driver’s license.
• Demonstrate they have a personal bank account or a registered D.B.A. (Doing Business As) entity in Texas within the past eight (8) to 12 months.
• Show proof of eight to 12 months of sales.
