Black entrepreneurs in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota will soon be able to access capital from a $50 million fund, thanks partly to the Bush Foundation.

Nexus Community Partners' Open Road Fund will award $50,000 in grants to at least 800 eligible applicants for housing, education, financial well-being, healing, and economic justice projects.

“Through this $50 million Open Road Fund, Nexus has a chance to provide a return on the investment Black folks have long made to this country and create Black wealth. To us, Black wealth-building is about creating spaces and opportunities that help all Black people to thrive,” Repa Mekha, president and CEO of Nexus Community Partners, said in a statement. “When we have access to an abundance of resources, we can cultivate healing, safety, care and liberation on our own terms.”

The fund is open to business owners and individuals 14 and up. Those who are formerly incarcerated people, single parents, senior citizens, those living with disabilities, and identify as LGBTQ+ are also encouraged to apply.

A panel of community leaders will determine which applications get approved. Applications open June 19.

Those eligible to apply should visit the website here. The Open Road application closes on July 28th.