COVID Relief Grants Offered By Washington Football Team

ASHBURN, VA — The Washington Football Team, through a partnership with United Airlines, will award five COVID relief grants totaling $25,000. The grants will support small Black-owned business in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

The grants will be paid for by United Airlines, the Washington Football Team said in a news release. The franchise hopes the money will be used for essential business functions like employee compensation, rent, or operating costs.

Doug Williams, who was a Super Bowl-winning quarterback with the franchise, is now a senior advisor to the team president. "It’s important for us to support the small businesses that bring immeasurable value and cultural vibrance to our DMV community," Williams said.

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To apply for a COVID relief grant from the Washington Football Team, a business must already be registered with the franchise's Shop Black Directory. Other criteria include employing fewer than 15 people, being in business for at least a year, annual revenue of less than $250,000, and being located in D.C., Maryland, or Virginia.

"We know that Black entrepreneurs face many barriers when it comes to running their businesses and recognize that the last year has been particularly tough on small, minority-owned businesses," Williams said. "Which is why we are excited to partner with United to provide additional resources and support for the members of our Shop Black Directory."

The Washington Football Team's Black Engagement Network was introduced in June 2020. The network launched the Shop Black initiative in November 2020 to highlight Black-owned businesses and support Black entrepreneurs.

Janet Lamkin is United's senior vice president of market and community innovation. "United is proud to work alongside the Washington Football Team to deepen our shared commitment to the National Capital region and local, Black-owned businesses," Lamkin said. "Diversity, equity and inclusion are core values at United – values we will continue to advance here in the DMV and across all of the communities we serve."

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More information on the Black Engagement Network and the team's Shop Black Directory is available online. Small business owners can also apply to join the directory on the Washington Football Team's website.