In May 2020, Trib Total Media established the Shop Local Marketing Grant program to assist local businesses with marketing during the covid-19 pandemic. Trib Total Media developed the grant to help local small businesses recover from the pandemic’s devastating effects.
“We were not the first to launch such a program,” said Matt Miller, Trib Total Media’s Chief Revenue Officer. “We took our time, learned from what we were seeing, and then crafted a grant program to save companies that have been part of the local landscape for generations.”
Local businesses in good financial standing with no more than 2 locations in Southwestern Pennsylvania were encouraged to apply for the Shop Local grant. When approved, the grantee received matching funds, in essence doubling their investment, up to $5,000 per month.
Initially, the company earmarked $250,000 for the program; however, it was gone just 7 hours after launch. Trib Total Media regrouped quickly and increased the total to $1 million. Ten days later, the company approved grants for that money as well.
AL DiCroce, Trib Total Media’s Director of Advertising, felt proud to work for a company that recognized and addressed the challenges business owners faced. “Our grant program generated 192 applications, with businesses requesting more than $1.2 million in funding,” said DiCroce. “While this grant was open to new and existing Trib advertisers, we were incredibly proud to help nearly 60 businesses that had not worked with our company in the past.”
“This is about sustaining a part of our history in this region. It’s about businesses that have weathered many storms over many decades, but nothing like the fallout from this pandemic,” Miller said. “These companies will need the support of many in the coming months. We are honored to be one of those offering a helping hand.”
Trib Total Media will continue to issue matching grants, for previously approved businesses, in need of assistance through December 31, 2020.
