Helping Businesses Access State Grants They Don’t Know Exist
Gershon Klein of GrantDid Consulting
A business renovates its space — new equipment, fixtures, furniture, or a fresh buildout. Another signs a first-floor commercial lease. In many states, programs exist that reimburse part of those costs — yet most business owners never hear about them. Opportunities pass quietly, not because companies aren’t eligible, but because the rules are technical, the paperwork demanding, and the programs rarely publicized.
GrantDid Consulting helps businesses access those opportunities. Led by Gershon Klein, the company focuses primarily on New Jersey, where agencies offer programs that support qualifying improvements and certain new commercial leases. The company works mainly with two programs: one that reimburses up to $50,000 for qualifying improvements, and another that offsets lease costs for new first-floor commercial spaces. GrantDid identifies which programs a business may be eligible for, prepares the required documents, and manages the application through approval.
The work is detail-heavy. Invoices must meet exact formatting rules, and business information must match across every form. Even small discrepancies — such as a vendor listing the company name incorrectly — can delay an application. GrantDid reviews each submission line by line, coordinates with vendors when corrections are needed, and ensures requirements are met before filing.
“Most people don’t even know these state programs exist,” Gershon said.
Gershon’s path into this work began during COVID, when he was managing bookkeeping for a local business and discovered a state grant program. The application seemed straightforward, but the approval process showed how technical the requirements could be. After navigating several programs, he began tracking agencies more closely and helping additional businesses with their applications. What began as individual requests developed into a consulting practice built around research, accuracy, and clear guidance.
Rather than advertise widely, Gershon works through vendors, real estate brokers, and service providers whose clients are natural fits. This targeted approach brings in businesses that already meet core eligibility criteria. GrantDid accepts only clients the firm believes it can help, giving each application close attention.
This was GrantDid’s first year exhibiting at OJBA. Throughout the day, business owners stopped by to ask if their recent projects might qualify. For many, the takeaway was simple: there are state programs designed to support growing businesses — they just needed someone who knows where to look and how to navigate the process.
0
