Facebook has announced that applications are now open for more than $40 million in grants for Black-owned businesses. As of Wednesday, majority Black-owned US businesses with up to 50 employees can apply for the grant online.

Black-owned businesses can also now self-designate their Facebook page as being Black-owned. The designation won’t appear publicly on the profile or page, but it will come up as being Black-owned in the Businesses Nearby section.

Facebook added it’s already distributed the majority of its COVID-19 grants to small businesses whose revenue has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

It comes as Black Lives Matter protests are continuing across the US as people demonstrate against the deaths at the hands of the police of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, and against systemic racism.

Black Lives Matter. Visit blacklivesmatter.carrd.co to learn how to donate, sign petitions and protest safely

Deadline  To apply:  August 31, 2020