October Grants for Small Businesses - North America & The Caribbean

MONEY
Written By Nicole Grimes

Your monthly roundup of verified, open funding opportunities

Q4 is officially here. While most of us are heads down on Black Friday and holiday prep, funders are closing out their final cycles of the year, and some of the biggest opportunities on this list close in the next two weeks. This month you'll find unrestricted grants, project funding, accelerators, fellowships, and a few rolling opportunities you can apply to anytime.

Read every eligibility requirement carefully before you apply, and set calendar reminders now. Several of these close with no extensions. Now let's get into it!

United States

Printed Matter Publisher Work Grant | $10,000 (3 Awards) | October 4 Deadline (11:59pm ET)

  • Eligibility: Independent artists' book publishers with a history of publishing work. Open internationally. No application fee.

  • Description: Printed Matter, with support from the Wagner Foundation, is awarding three independent presses $10,000 each in unrestricted funding, plus a featured exhibitor spot at an upcoming NY or LA Art Book Fair. If you publish zines, artist books, or small run editions, this one was built for you.

  • Link: Apply here

Makers Mindset x The Equity Studio Grant | $10,000 (5 Awards) | October 9 Deadline

  • Eligibility: Early stage U.S. consumer brands in beauty and wellness that are at least 51% women owned, have 10 or fewer employees, bring in $50,000 to $2 million in annual revenue, and have been generating revenue for at least one full year.

  • Description: Created by Briogeo founder Nancy Twine and The Equity Studio founder Anna Sweeting, this program gives five women founders equity free funding paired with group mentorship and exposure on both platforms. Recipients are expected to be selected in November.

  • Link: Apply here

Marshalls Good Stuff Accelerator Program | $5,000 + 12 Month Program | October 13 Deadline (11:59pm)

  • Eligibility: Women 18 and older in the U.S. working toward a personal or professional goal. You do not need to own a business to apply.

  • Description: Now in its third year, this virtual program selects 40 participants for a full year of live expert sessions, small group peer coaching through Luminary, and a one time $5,000 grant to invest in their goal. A strong fit if you want structure and accountability alongside the funding.

  • Link: Apply here

Frazier Family Foundation x CFDA Empowered Vision Award | $100,000 | October 15 Deadline

  • Eligibility: Emerging Black fashion designers with independent businesses.

  • Description: In its third year, this award gives one designer $100,000, a tailored mentorship program, a paid business consultant for a full year, and national visibility. Two finalists also receive cash prizes, and the 2026 recipient will be named at a ceremony in New York City on December 10.

  • Link: Apply here

Intuit IDEAS Accelerator | $5,000 Cash Grant + $10,000+ in Tools and Coaching | October 15 Deadline

  • Eligibility: Small business owners in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, the San Diego metro area, or anywhere in West Virginia. There is also a nationwide virtual cohort for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs.

  • Description: A free 12 month accelerator run with the National Urban League. Participants get QuickBooks, Mailchimp, and TurboTax at no cost, access to Intuit tax and bookkeeping experts, monthly business coaching, a year of executive coaching, and a $5,000 grant when they complete the program. NYC business owners, this one is right in our backyard.

  • Link: Apply here

Vimeo Short Film Grant | $60,000 (5 Awards) | October 16 Deadline

  • Eligibility: Emerging filmmakers producing their next original short film.

  • Description: Vimeo doubled its prize pool this year, so five filmmakers will each receive $60,000 in funding plus one on one mentorship from acclaimed directors, camera and storage packages from partners like Panavision and OWC, and screening and distribution support on Vimeo.

  • Link: Apply here

Pave HER Way Women's Grant Programs | Up to $90,000 | October 16 Deadline (11:59pm PT)

  • Eligibility: Women 18 and older who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. You may apply to only one of the two tracks.

  • Description: This is the inaugural cycle for Pave HER Way, a new national nonprofit based in Los Angeles. The Disruptor Award offers up to $90,000 for projects that create meaningful public benefit for women and girls, and the Financial Aid track offers up to $30,000 for women facing financial barriers to education, professional development, or equity focused work. Both tracks include mentorship and community.

  • Link: Apply here

Communities of Color Nonprofit Stabilization Fund (CCNSF) | Up to $100,000 | October 16 Deadline (5pm ET)

  • Eligibility: NYC based direct social service nonprofits where at least 75% of those served are New York City residents, with an operating budget between $150,000 and $3.5 million. Organizations using a fiscal sponsor are not eligible.

  • Description: Funded by the NYC Council and administered by the New York Urban League, Hispanic Federation, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, and Asian American Federation, CCNSF pays for capacity building at Black, Latino, and Asian led community organizations across the five boroughs. Think strategic plans, fundraising systems, and evaluation tools. Organizations apply through one partner agency only.

  • Link: Apply here

Urban One x National Urban League Community Business Pitch Competition | Up to $100,000 in Promotional Value | October 18 Deadline

  • Eligibility: Small business owners who are registered passengers on the ONE Voyage Experience cruise (October 26 to November 1). Booking a cabin is required to compete, and prizes are advertising and promotional packages, not cash.

  • Description: Business owners pitch live on board to a panel of judges for promotional packages worth $100,000, $50,000, or $25,000 across Urban One's media platforms. Worth a look if you were already planning to sail and want major media exposure.

  • Link: Apply here

Galaxy Grants (Hidden Star) | $2,500 | October 31 Deadline

  • Eligibility: Women and minority business owners in the U.S. at any stage, from aspiring to established.

  • Description: Hidden Star, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, runs this quarterly grant with one of the fastest applications out there. Winners are announced the week after the deadline.

  • Link: Apply here

Entreprenista Evolve Grant x IT Cosmetics | $5,000 | November 11 Deadline

  • Eligibility: U.S. based, woman owned or woman led businesses generating $100,000 or more annually and operating for at least one year.

  • Description: Entreprenista's quarterly grant is designed for women founders who already have traction and are ready to scale. This cycle is presented with IT Cosmetics.

  • Link: Apply here

LMCC Creative Unrestricted | $20,000 | November 12 Deadline (6pm ET)

  • Eligibility: Manhattan based individual artists, artist collectives, and small to mid sized arts organizations with annual operating budgets under $250,000.

  • Description: Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's unrestricted grant lets you decide where the money goes, with the goal of strengthening long term sustainability for local artists and organizations. LMCC is hosting virtual office hours throughout October if you want help before you submit.

  • Link: Apply here


WAVE Grant (Wavelength Productions) | $5,000 (5 Awards) | November 16 Deadline (Opens October 15)

  • Eligibility: U.S. based emerging BIPOC women and gender nonconforming filmmakers directing their first professional narrative short (about 10 minutes). Student films do not count against you. Documentaries, features, series, and directing teams are not eligible.

  • Description: Each recipient gets a $5,000 seed grant plus mentorship from Wavelength's team through development, production, post production, and festival strategy, along with in kind camera and color services.

  • Link: Apply here

WWF Wild Classroom Greenprints for the Future | $1,200 (15 Educators) | November 16 Deadline

  • Eligibility: Educators 18 and older who work with K through 12 students in a formal or nonformal setting and live and teach in a U.S. state or territory.

  • Description: Students identify an environmental issue in their school or community and design a solution, and WWF funds the project with personalized guidance and teaching resources. A great fit for teachers and youth program leaders who want students in the driver's seat.

  • Link: Apply here

Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program | $5,000 Education Grant | November 17 Deadline

  • Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs ready to scale. Check the application page for current revenue, ownership, and time in business requirements.

  • Description: This year long fellowship connects women founders with expert coaching, advisors, and a peer network of 400+ women entrepreneurs, plus a $5,000 education grant and access to no interest loans. Applying is free.

  • Link: Apply here


Shophand Small Business Boost Grant | $2,500 Cash + $2,500 in Services | November 30 Deadline

  • Eligibility: U.S. based, for profit small businesses that are actively operating, with fewer than 50 employees and under $5 million in annual revenue. Free to apply.

  • Description: Built for non techie founders, winners receive $2,500 in no strings cash plus $2,500 in hands on Shophand support covering AI tools, automation, software setup, marketing, and operations. Awarded three times a year.

  • Link: Apply here

Decoy Pour to What's Possible Grant | $10,000 | December 15 Deadline

  • Eligibility: U.S. residents 25 and older working in entertainment or creative industries. Residents of CO, MA, MD, NH, NJ, and PA are not eligible. No purchase necessary.

  • Description: Decoy, the Official Wine of the Emmy Awards, is awarding one creative $10,000 in its inaugural grant to fund a future project, career opportunity, or professional goal. Open to creators on screen, behind the scenes, and beyond.

  • Link: Learn more and apply

Rolling Opportunities

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant | $10,000 | Rolling (Through December 2026)

  • Eligibility: U.S. based for profit small business owners 18 and older, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Complete any two free courses or events on Verizon Digital Ready in 2026 to unlock the application. Nonprofits are not eligible.

  • Description: Apply once and stay in the running for every monthly selection through December, with 10 businesses chosen each month. Administered with LISC, and every applicant receives a final decision by January 12, 2027.

  • Link: Apply here

Kickstarter x Google Next Wave Fund | $10,000 Pledge + Google Training | Rolling

  • Eligibility: Entrepreneurs or small businesses with fewer than 20 full time employees building a technology or digital gaming project (hardware, software, new materials, or innovative functionality). At least one team member must be a U.S. citizen, resident, or O-1 visa holder, the project bank account must be U.S. based, and the primary contact must be 18 or older.

  • Description: Selected founders get a $10,000 pledge toward their Kickstarter campaign when it goes live, coaching from Kickstarter's Design and Technology team, free Google AI training and Grow with Google workshops, and promotion on Kickstarter's channels. Note: this is a pledge to your crowdfunding campaign, not a cash grant, and you must launch within six months of selection.

  • Link: Apply here

Habibi Sommelier Scholarship (The Hue Society x Wine School of Philadelphia) | $10,000 Annual Scholarship Fund | Rolling

  • Eligibility: U.S. residents 21 and older pursuing a career in wine. No prior wine experience needed.

  • Description: Founded by Tahiirah Habibi's The Hue Society and the Wine School of Philadelphia to open the wine trade to communities it has long left out. Recipients in the Philadelphia area take the Core Sommelier Course in person, and everyone else takes the Level One Wine Certification online. If you're in hospitality, events, or food and beverage, this could open a whole new lane.

  • Link: Apply here

Canada & The Caribbean — Rolling Programs Worth Bookmarking

No fixed-deadline Canadian or Caribbean grants close in September 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.

A Few Final Tips Before You Apply

That's the October list, CBN Famalay! Most funding goes to the people who keep showing up, so pick two or three that fit, block the time on your calendar, and apply. Know a founder, artist, filmmaker, or educator who needs this? Send it their way. #CBNFamalay

All listings verified as of October 1, 2026.

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.

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Nicole Grimes
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Small Business Grants in North America & the Caribbean — September 2026