Small Business Grants in North America & the Caribbean — August 2026
Your monthly roundup of verified, open funding opportunities
Grants, unlike loans, don't need to be paid back, a distinction that matters enormously for small businesses operating on tight margins. But grants are competitive, and most owners miss out simply because they never find out the opportunities exist. Deadlines pass. Application windows close quietly. This monthly listing exists to fix that.
August is more strategic than it looks. We're at the tail end of summer and approaching the close of Q3, many foundations and corporate funders are in spend-down mode, moving remaining budget before their fiscal year closes, while program officers finalize this year's grantees and plan next year's cycles. This month's funding spans live grant drawings, creator fellowships, documentary production, beauty and haircare accelerators, music and nightlife, and civic micro-grants. The businesses and entrepreneurs who win in Q4 aren't the ones who started planning in November, they're the ones who laid the groundwork in August and September, before the holiday season compresses everyone's bandwidth.
A few things to note before you dive in: read every eligibility requirement carefully before applying, and set calendar reminders , several of these close with no extensions. Now let's get into it!
United States
Weekly Skip Grants — Up to $1,000 | Rolling (1–2x Weekly, Fridays at 3pm ET Starting Aug 7)
Eligibility: U.S.-based entrepreneurs 18 or over. Must enter the drawing 30 minutes before the scheduled time and be online to hit "claim now" if called.
Description: Live grant drawings held multiple times a week through the Skip platform, with several winners selected per event. No purchase necessary — fast, low-friction funding for entrepreneurs at any stage.
Link:Apply here
Irregular Hours Good Job Challenge — $5,000 | Sign Up by August 2 (Challenge Begins August 3)
Eligibility: All ages, any industry. Must sign up for the free 21-day Good Job Challenge before August 3, complete one cheat sheet share per day for 21 consecutive days, then the grant application unlocks August 24–31.
Description: A 21-day professional development program built around daily networking habits. Complete it, unlock the application, and you're eligible for one $5,000 no-strings-attached grant. No equity, no social posting requirements — both the platform and the challenge are free. Winner announced September 15–25.
Link:Apply here
Pinterest Inclusion Fund— Financial Support Amount Not Publicly Disclosed | August 4 Deadline (9pm ET)
Eligibility: U.S.-based content creators, 18+, active on at least two other social platforms, new to Pinterest, creating content in fashion, beauty, lifestyle, home, travel, gaming, or technology. Must commit to virtual office hours and program sessions during the cohort.
Description: Now in its sixth year, this incubator program pairs personalized education and dedicated time with Pinterest and industry experts with financial support to fuel content creation. Strong performers may be invited to join the Pinterest Creator Community upon graduation. Note: Pinterest hasn't publicly disclosed the exact award amount for this cycle — apply for current details.
Link:Apply here
Flickr x Black Women Photographers Grant— $10,000 | August 6 Deadline
Eligibility: Black women and non-binary photographers. Must be a member of Black Women Photographers, join the BWP Flickr Community, and submit one photograph inspired by the theme "Traces of Connection" with a brief description of the connection.
Description: Now in its fourth year, this partnership awards its largest grant to date — $10,000 — to one Black creative, announced live at the inaugural MODE by Flickr festival in Minneapolis, September 18–20. The winner also receives a two-year Flickr Pro membership and a one-year SmugMug Pro membership; ten additional photographers receive one-year memberships.
Link:Apply here
HubSpot x Startup Grind Grow Getter Grant— $2,500 | August 7 Deadline
Eligibility: Early-stage, venture-backable founders who have raised less than $2 million and are actively building, testing, and selling. U.S.-based.
Description: A pitch-style grant from HubSpot for Startups and Startup Grind funding one early-stage founder with $2,500 and platform visibility.
Link:Apply here
Zoo Labs FUND — $5,000–$50,000 | August 7 Deadline (Final)
Eligibility: Teams of two or more (at least one culturally rooted artist member) building a music-centered business, all members residing full-time in one of nine Bay Area counties.
Description: Center for Cultural Innovation's Zoo Labs distributes $225,000 across four self-selected tiers: $5,000 Seed (6 awards), $15,000 Startup (5 awards), $25,000 Self-Sustaining (3 awards), $50,000 Next Level (1 award). All recipients get mentorship and access to Zoo Labs courses. Funding notification October 13, 2026.
Link:Apply here
Club Nothing Fund by Nothing — $10,000 x4 Winners | August 9 Deadline
Eligibility: Music collectives, promoters, or individuals worldwide. Must submit a short pitch presentation with a full event proposal, judged on creativity, sound, and community values.
Description: Tech brand Nothing — backed by shareholders including Charli XCX, The Weeknd, and Swedish House Mafia — is giving four music creators $10,000 each, equity-free, to launch or scale a club night, event series, or festival. Winners get a video call with the Nothing Community Team before funds release, plus visibility through Nothing's global channels.
Link:Apply here
AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition — $35,000 Grand Prize | August 9 Deadline
Eligibility: Entrepreneurs or owners of an existing business (revenue under $500,000) or entrepreneurs with a business idea ready to launch within six months. Kansas City-area focus.
Description: AltCap, a Kansas City-based community development financial institution, runs this annual pitch competition for entrepreneurs overlooked by traditional lenders. Top finalists pitch live at Union Station in Kansas City on November 18 for a shot at the $35,000 grand prize and additional cash awards.
Link: Apply here
Southern Documentary Fund Production Grant— $15,000 x7 Recipients | August 14 Deadline
Eligibility: Documentary filmmakers with a connection — through subject matter, personal background, or story — to Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia. Projects must be in production. Free to apply.
Description: Seven Southern documentary filmmakers receive $15,000 each in production funding, plus mentorship from experienced documentary professionals. A free virtual Grant Info Session is available August 10 at 1pm ET for anyone preparing an application.
Link:Apply here
Experience Newark Event Sponsorship — Cycle 5: Fall — $500–$2,500 | August 15 Deadline
Eligibility: Newark-based nonprofits, community groups, small businesses, and individual residents hosting public events that celebrate Newark's culture or attract residents and visitors. Events must take place September 15–October 31, 2026.
Description: Micro-grants from the Newark Alliance supporting grassroots initiatives, neighborhood gatherings, and cultural celebrations. Funds can cover marketing, permitting, production, and local talent honorariums. Award notifications go out September 10. A Cycle 6 (Winter) is also available — dates November 1–December 31, apply by September 25.
Link:Apply here
News Creator Corps Trusted Creator Fellowship— $5,000 Stipend | August 17 Deadline
Eligibility: U.S.-based independent creators with an engaged following on any platform who provide information-based content or services to a specific community. Three seats reserved for full-time college students 25 or younger. Traditional journalists are not the target audience.
Description: A short-term virtual fellowship (October–December 2026) teaching tactical journalism skills — fact-checking, sourcing, interviewing — to independent creators who inform and connect communities. Completing creators receive a $5,000 stipend.
Link:Apply here
Merrell x Sundance Collab Brand-Supported Storytelling Program— $20,000 Budget x5 + Sundance Film Festival Trip | August 18 Deadline (11:59pm PT)
Eligibility: Filmmakers and storytellers worldwide. English proficiency required (films may be in any language with English subtitles). One entry per person.
Description: Five filmmakers worldwide are selected to create 60–90 second vertical films on the theme "how stepping outside is the ultimate antidote to our screen-locked lives." Each receives a $20,000 production budget, an online brand-supported storytelling program with check-ins, and a covered hotel stay for the Sundance Film Festival in January 2027.
Link:Apply here
The Sky Is Not the Limit Social Impact Grant — Up to $10,000 in Services | August 19 Deadline (World Humanitarian Day)
Eligibility: Organizations with a clear, measurable social or environmental mission — nonprofits, social enterprises, B Corps, and mission-driven for-profits. Global — location is not a barrier. Requires a minimum digital presence (website, landing page, or active social profile).
Description: A pro bono support grant from Bombshell Impact Design Agency offering up to $10,000 in professional branding, website design, campaign strategy, content creation, and "AI for Good" services — no cash, but real agency-level services for organizations that lack marketing budget. Requires a 30–60 second video submission. Winner announced September 15.
Link: Apply here
Main Street Rising Tour Pitch — Miami — Cash Prize | August 19 Deadline
Eligibility: Florida-based small businesses with $250,000+ in revenue and 2 or more employees.
Description: A pitch competition at the Miami stop of Hello Alice's Main Street Rising Tour, presented with Google and PayPal. Selected businesses pitch live at the September 2 event for a chance to win cash, plus AI-focused training, networking, and a Main Street Riser digital badge.
amika Rooted in Growth x 15 Percent Pledge— $50,000 x4 Winners | August 21 Deadline
Eligibility: U.S.-based hair care product businesses (products, tools, extensions, color, wigs) under $2.5M in annual revenue, at least 51% owned by founders from historically overlooked backgrounds, operating in or expanding into professional distribution channels.
Description: Now in its third year, amika's Rooted in Growth program with the 15 Percent Pledge awards four founders $50,000 each, plus a four-month mentorship program, networking events, an in-person NYC kickoff, industry trade show participation, and full travel coverage.
Link:Apply here
Rare Beauty x JCPenney LIFT Beauty Accelerator — $10,000 | August 21 Deadline
Eligibility: U.S.-based early-stage beauty brands led by founders from underrepresented communities. Three brands selected.
Description: Three early-stage beauty founders receive at least $10,000 in non-dilutive funding, practical mentorship, more than $24,000 in in-kind testing and design services, and the opportunity to pitch JCPenney for potential retail distribution.
Link:Apply here
NC IDEA MICRO Grant— $10,000 | August 24 Deadline
Eligibility: North Carolina-based entrepreneurs validating products, refining business models, or testing market opportunities.
Description: Project-based funding to help early-stage NC founders prepare for long-term growth. Recipients also complete an eight-week customer discovery and product launch program with guidance from NC IDEA staff and access to mentors, funders, and potential customers. Note: this cycle is a flat $10,000 award, not the $10,000–$50,000 range some sources list — confirm current terms before applying.
Link:Apply here
CALI Futures (Center for Cultural Innovation)— Up to $5,000 | August 28 Deadline (11:59am PT)
Eligibility: Artists and cultural workers residing in California contributing to alternative efforts focused on income, ownership, care, sustainability, and self-determination outside conventional nonprofit/for-profit systems. Note: this is California-specific — worth flagging clearly since it's easy to miss.
Description: Project-restricted grants of up to $5,000 to individuals or teams at any stage, from initial concept to research and implementation. $100,000 in total funding available per year across the 2026–2028 cycle.
Link:Apply here
Broadway Advocacy Coalition Rapid Response Grant — $1,000 | August 28 Deadline
Eligibility: Artists, writers, organizers, activists, and performers combining artistry and advocacy. Projects must be narrative-based, change-oriented, include a clear call to action, and involve people directly affected by the issue. Collectives welcome; no formal arts background required.
Description: Supports new, narrative-based "artivism" responding to systemic racism and/or mass incarceration. Built for accessibility — this is a pilot program, so it's worth applying while the cycle is open.
Link:Apply here
Hey Helen Grant — $10,000 | August 30 Deadline
Eligibility: 100% women-owned (or nonbinary-aligned) for-profit U.S. businesses generating under $1 million in annual revenue. Nonprofits not eligible. Note: a $15 non-refundable application fee applies per multiple third-party sources — confirm current fee on the application page.
Description: A privately funded initiative from Visionaries awarding one founder $10,000 in unrestricted cash each cycle, usable for whatever moves the business forward — operations, growth, marketing, hiring, or infrastructure. Moving to monthly awards after this round.
Money Moves Pitch Competition — $10,000 Total | August 30 Deadline
Eligibility: Black women entrepreneurs. Finalists must attend the Money Moves Summit in person (summit ticket required).
Description: Presented by JCPenney as part of the Money Moves Summit, this pitch competition splits $10,000 among three Black women entrepreneurs. Finalists pitch live September 18–19 in Irving, TX.
Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund — $1,000–$10,000 | August 31 Deadline
Eligibility: Underrepresented entrepreneurs with demonstrated revenue in the last 12 months. U.S.-based.
Description: A micro-grant providing a financial boost to underrepresented entrepreneurs who've already shown business traction, designed to help them scale, stabilize, or systemize their next stage of growth. Note: the funder's own page describes this as awarding two entrepreneurs within a $1,000–$10,000 range, not four $5,000 winners as some listings state — confirm current award structure before applying or promoting.
Link:Apply here
Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge— Up to $15,000 | August 31 Deadline
Eligibility: Founders aged 18–30, 100% youth-led, leading a project or startup already delivering measurable social or environmental impact. Global — open internationally.
Description: Grant funding awards (ranging roughly $3,000–$15,000 per the funder), free founder support, pitch coaching, and access to the Social Shifters Global Opportunity Network for young leaders tackling social and environmental challenges.
Link:Apply here
Beasley Detroit Small Business Grant Program— $10,000 in Advertising Support | August 31 Deadline
Eligibility: Small and medium-sized businesses in Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Award is media/advertising support, not cash.
Description: A $100,000 initiative from Beasley Media Group Detroit and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation awarding ten local businesses a $10,000 advertising campaign across Beasley's Detroit radio stations (101.1 WRIF, 94.7 WCSX, 105.1 The Bounce, 105.9 KISS-FM, Praise Network) and digital platforms, running fall 2026. Apply with a 300-word essay on your business and its community impact.
Link:Apply here
Halton Foundation Grant— Up to $30,000 | September 1 Deadline (Applications Open July 1)
Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations researching indoor environmental quality and human wellbeing. No geographic limitations — open globally.
Description: Annual research grants supporting nonprofits improving indoor air quality, thermal conditions, and related health outcomes. One of the few grant programs focused specifically on the intersection of indoor environments, health, and community wellbeing. Max 10% of project costs may go to overhead.
Link:Apply here
Kickstarter x Google Next Wave Fund— $10,000 Pledge + Google Training | Rolling (Up to 1 Year)
Eligibility: Entrepreneurs or small businesses with fewer than 20 full-time employees working on technology or digital gaming projects. At least one team member must be a U.S. citizen, resident, or O-1 visa holder.
Description: Selected founders get a $10,000 pledge toward their Kickstarter campaign, guidance from Kickstarter's Design & Technology team, free Google AI training and Grow with Google workshops, and promotion on Kickstarter's channels. Must launch within six months of selection.
Link:Apply here
Verizon Digital Ready $10K Grant— $10,000 | Rolling (Through December 2026)
Eligibility: U.S.-based for-profit small business owners 18+, including Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. Must complete two eligible Verizon Digital Ready courses or events in 2026 to unlock the application.
Description: Apply once and stay eligible for monthly $10K awards through December 2026 — ten businesses selected each month, in partnership with LISC. Final decisions by January 12, 2027.
Link:Apply here
Wish Local Black Business Empowerment Fund— $500–$2,000 | Rolling (No Deadline)
Eligibility: Black-owned Wish Local partner stores in the U.S.
Description: A $2,000,000 fund providing individual awards of $500–$2,000 to promote equality and diversity in American business.
Link:Apply here
Canada & The Caribbean — Rolling Programs Worth Bookmarking
No fixed-deadline Canadian or Caribbean grants close in August from our sources this month, but these rolling programs are open right now and worth prioritizing if you haven't applied yet — several are first-come, first-funded in practice.
CanExport SME (up to ~$99,999, rolling intake) — reimburses eligible export development costs for Canadian SMEs pursuing new markets.
NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) (up to $10M, rolling intake) — covers up to 80% of labour costs and 50% of subcontractor costs for R&D and innovation projects.
Ontario Creates — Digital Media & Creative Industries (up to $500,000, multiple cycles per year) — for Ontario-based businesses in digital media, film, and publishing.
OECS MSME Matching Grant — Blue Economy (varies, rolling calls) — World Bank-funded matching grants for fisheries, tourism, and coastal-community businesses across OECS member states, with priority for women-owned businesses.
CDB CIIF — National Cultural Registries Digital Solution Grant (up to USD $150,000, opening 2026) — for organizations across the Caribbean Development Bank's 19 borrowing member countries developing cultural registries and databases.
A Few Final Tips Before You Apply
Grant funding rewards preparation, not luck. Before you hit submit on any of the above, make sure your documentation is in order: a current business plan, up-to-date financials, proof of registration, and a clear narrative on how you'll use the funds and what impact they'll have. Most applications live or die on that last point.
Mark the rolling grants in your calendar now, not later: Kickstarter x Google, Verizon/LISC, CanExport, and IRAP are effectively first-come, first-funded. Waiting for the "right moment" usually means waiting until the budget's gone.
Always confirm deadlines and eligibility directly with the funder before applying, programs, dates, and award counts can shift without notice.
All listings verified as of July 30, 2026. Always confirm deadlines and eligibility directly with the funder before applying.
Remember: These deadlines are approaching fast. Review the opportunities that align with your business, gather your materials, and get those applications submitted. Your next growth phase could be just one grant away.
For additional information on rolling grants and more opportunities, visit www.caribbiznetwork.com/grants
Note: This post was created with the assistance of genAI with human editing and additions.
Powered by @caribbiznetwork | #CBNResources #SmallBusinessGrants #CaribbeanBusiness #FounderFunding