FAQ
Membership
Q. Who can join GROW Nebraska?
A. Any Nebraska business with a Nebraska Tax ID number may join. This includes product, service and community organizations.
Q. Why should I join GROW Nebraska?
A. Please visit our benefits page to learn more about how GROW Nebraska can help your business.
Q. Are there any scholarship options if I am unable to afford a GROW Nebraska membership?
A. GROW Nebraska’s scholarship program is funded by grants from the WealthSpring Foundation and the US Small Business Administration PRIME program. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship please contact us at info@grownebraska.org.
Q. What level of membership should I choose?
A. To find out which level of membership is right for you visit our pricing chart here.
Retail Stores
Q. How do I get my product in your stores?
A. To participate in the GROW Nebraska retail stores, you must be a GROW member. GROW Nebraska does not buy products at wholesale. If you are interested in membership, you can learn about the benefits of GROW Nebraska or join now.
Q. What is the cost to be in your stores?
A. If you pay the bundle price ($325) when you join GROW, there is no additional fee to be in the retail stores and training centers. If you pay regular membership ($175), the cost is $75 per year. GROW will retain 40% of sales. There are also monthly payment options that range from $19-$35 per month. To find out which level of membership is right for you visit our pricing chart here.
Q. Why does GROW retain a portion of my sales?
A. GROW is a non-profit organization, so all proceeds from sales return directly to the program. This means that the money GROW collects pays for store expenses, such as the store rental fee, the point of sale machine costs, accountant fees, store employees, and utilities. GROW also handles all sales taxes, credit card fees and shipping costs associated with the GROW eCommerce platforms. GROW retail locations are also in high-traffic mall locations and the Omaha Eppley Airport.
Q. If GROW Nebraska is a non-profit, why do they have retail stores?
A. The retail centers provide members with a chance to learn valuable skills in displaying product, running the cash drawer and other retail necessities. The Kearney store also has eCommerce training. The stores also serve as a wonderful way for Nebraska businesses to promote their product in a high-traffic location.
Q. When do I get paid for my sales?
A. You will receive a check each month for sales. Each check is for the previous month, so for example, April sales will be received in May. There is a 45-day lapse between checks, so April sales would be received by June 15. The check will be for products sold in all stores and eCommerce platforms.
Q. How much of my product can I have in your store?
A. Once you join GROW Nebraska you will work with GROW Nebraska staff to determine how much product to deliver to the stores.
Q. How do you track my inventory in your store?
A. After joining, you can deliver product to our retail stores. There is an inventory sheet will fill out when you bring it in. This helps us keep accurate computer records of all inventory. Each time one of your products is sold, that transaction is recorded and your inventory is updated. At any time GROW can evaluate how much of your product is in the stores. If you have a new product or have a suggestion, please contact the GROW Nebraska Store Coordinator so these products may be added to future purchase orders.
Q. How do I know when you need more of my product in your store?
When you are getting low on a product, a GROW staff member will contact you. We ask that members please not bring in product unannounced to help maintain reasonable inventory levels. If you have questions on whether you should deliver product, please contact us at info@grownebraska.org.
GROW Book
Q. How do I get in the GROW Book?
A. To list your business in the GROW Book you must join GROW Nebraska. Every business who joins will receive a listing in the GROW Book with name and contact information.
Q. How come some people have larger ads than others?
A. Prior to the printing of the GROW Book, GROW members have a chance to pay for a larger ad. Ads are in four sizes, including 1/8 page, 1/4 page, 1/2 page and full page. Prices range from $75-$500.
eCommerce and eBay
Q. How do I get on the GROW eCommerce web site?
A. To be on the GROW eCommerce web site, you need to have the product in the Kearney store because that is our fulfillment center. There is no additional cost as long as you have paid the bundle fee or the $75 Kearney store fee.
Q. How do I get on the GROW eBay store?
A. You must also have your product in the Kearney retail store to be on the GROW eBay Store. The eBay store is free for bundle members and $6.25/month ($75/year) for non-bundle members.
Q. If someone buys my product on your eCommerce sites, do I need to ship it?
A. No. As long as your product is located in the Kearney retail location, we will ship the product out. You will simply receive a check for the sales monthly. GROW also pays for all shipping costs.
Loans
Q. Can I get a loan through GROW Nebraska?
A. GROW Nebraska offers the GROW Direct Loan program to GROW members in collaboration with the Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP). GROW provides the loan loss reserve and REAP administers the loan program, allowing GROW to offer access to capital up to $10,000. If you are interested in applying, please visit our loan page.
Donations Requests
Q. I have an upcoming fundraising event and would like GROW Nebraska to donate product. Can you do that?
A. Because GROW Nebraska is a 501(c)3 non-profit and does not own the product in our stores, we typically do not take donation requests. Thank you for your understanding.
