The Charter Fund sealThe Charter Fund

Terms of Service

These terms cover how The Charter Fund's equipment grant platform works, and what's expected of applicants who use it.

What this platform is

  • The Charter Fund awards equipment grants to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Approved applications result in a real piece of equipment ordered and shipped, not a cash payment.
  • Grants aren't loans. Award amounts don't need to be repaid.

Eligibility

  • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • You must own, or be actively building, a small business or freelance practice.
  • You'll need a valid government-issued ID to verify your identity, and documents supporting your application.
  • The equipment you request must have a clear business purpose.
  • Each grant may also have its own eligibility criteria, shown on that grant's page.

Your account

  • You're responsible for the accuracy of the information you provide, including your profile, application, and uploaded documents.
  • You can have up to 3 active applications at a time. Once one is decided or withdrawn, that slot opens up again.
  • You can withdraw an application at any point before you sign a Grant Award Agreement. Once you've signed, the award is locked in and can no longer be withdrawn.

Review and decisions

  • Every submitted application is reviewed against the grant's eligibility criteria and the completeness of your request. Review isn't automatic.
  • If approved, you'll sign a short grant agreement confirming the award and what's being provided, before fulfillment begins.
  • If waitlisted, your application stays under consideration. If declined, you're welcome to apply to a future grant if you remain eligible.

Content you share

  • If your business is selected as a success story, we may publish your business name, a quote, and photos you've shared with us on our Success Stories page.

No guarantee of an award

  • Submitting an application doesn't guarantee approval or a specific award amount. Award amounts vary by grant and are equivalent to the equipment your business needs.

Legal structure

  • Formal legal structure and jurisdiction details for The Charter Fund are still being finalized and will be added here once confirmed.

Changes to these terms

  • If these terms change, we'll update the date below. Significant changes will be reflected here before they take effect.

Questions about these terms? Reach out through our Contact page.