Grants and in-kind support to USA individuals and small businesses to promote professional opportunities in the mortgage industry. The purpose of the program is to assist retail mortgage professionals from disadvantaged communities in becoming broker-owners in the wholesale mortgage industry. In addition to a monetary grant, successful applicants will receive mentorship assistance, enrollment in a professional academy, and free membership in the funding organization's trade association. Funds may be used for marketing, technology, licensing, office expenses, and other purposes in order to open or expand a brokerage.

Through the Spark small business grant programs, AIME seeks to fuel new business and employment opportunities in the mortgage industry by providing opportunities for entrepreneurs in the wholesale mortgage industry. The goal of the business grant is to provide additional resources to better equip new brokers with the tools they need to set up a successful business.  Grant applicants must use the grant for cost affiliated with opening a brokerage or growing their businesses. The grant also provides additional support from the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME) and the broker community to help the recipients build sustainable business models for any market environment.

AIME is committed to fostering an inclusive environment to support and protect independent mortgage brokers across the country to grow the wholesale mortgage channel. Whether the applicant is a loan officer, broker owner, or a supporting member of a broker’s organization, AIME seeks to help them build a successful business. And for members just transitioning into the wholesale channel, AIME will connect them to valuable business development resources to help them get started.

• Military in Mortgage: The Military in Mortgage grant program is dedicated to providing veterans and service member spouses the training necessary to enter into a career in the mortgage industry and the resources they need to open an independent mortgage brokerage in the wholesale channel. For details, see https://aimespark.com/military-in-mortgage/.
• Minorities in Mortgage: The Minorities in Mortgage grant program is dedicated to providing professionals of color and underrepresented groups the training necessary to enter into a career in the mortgage industry and the resources they need to open an independent mortgage brokerage in the wholesale channel. For details, see  https://aimespark.com/minorities-in-mortgage/.
• Women in Mortgage: The Women in Mortgage grant program is dedicated to providing women the training necessary to enter into a career in the mortgage industry and the resources they need to open an independent mortgage brokerage in the wholesale channel. For details, see https://aimespark.com/women-in-mortgage/.
  

Grant participants are expected to use funding for the following business related expenses:

• Licensing expenses – PE, testing, LLC/Corp filing 
  
• Technology – LOS, POS, CRM
  
• Marketing – Business cards, Facebook ads, local ads, NOT purchasing leads
  
• Surety Bonds – NOT net worth requirements
  
• Office expenses – Rent, Essential furniture, computers, printers
  
• Services – Compliance, accounting, graphic design, website development
  
• Payroll – Salaries for support staff, NOT for signing bonuses