SMALL business GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Welcome to our Grant Resources page. Our goal is to share the most reputable sources where business owners like yourself can apply for grants. Please note that CBN has no affiliation with these organizations. While these are largely reputable entities, we still encourage you to do your own due diligence. Best of luck in your pursuit!
ROLLING GRANT APPLICATIONS
Amber Grant for Women Business Owners
Amber Grants began in 1998 to honor the memory of a young entrepreneurial woman — Amber Wigdahl — who died in 1981 at the age of 19. The purpose of the Amber Grant is to help other women achieve the dreams that Amber could not in her short time with us. Each month, we award a $10,000 Amber Grant. At the end of each year, we award a larger Amber Grant to one of the monthly recipients. Currently, that year-end amount is $25,000. In addition, grant finalists/ recipients are featured on our website, Facebook and email list. It’s our hope that those who receive funding pass on kindness and knowledge by helping other women along the way.
Link: www.womensnet.net
Awesome Foundation
Monthly Grant Opportunity! Created in the long hot summer days of 2009 in Boston, the Foundation distributes $1,000 grants, no strings attached, to projects and their creators. At each fully autonomous chapter, the money is pooled together from the coffers of ten or so self-organizing “micro-trustees” and given up front in cash, check, or gold doubloons.
Link: https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/submissions/new
Emma Johnson Single Mother Grant
Every month, Johnson gives out $500 cash to one single mom, no strings attached. The 2021 Kickass Single Mom Stimulus Grant has one goal: Give a hand to single moms struggling with money, health, stress, child care, illness and loneliness. Qualifications are simple: 1. You’re a single mom. 2. You need the money right now
Link: https://www.wealthysinglemommy.com/single-mom-grant
Founders First Grants
Regional Grant Requirements: Current staff of 2 - 20 employees. Ability to add 1 - 2+ net new premium wage jobs in the next 12 months. Must be a for-profit company with annual revenues between $100K and $3 million. Founder identifies as one of the following: BIPOC, Female, LGBTQIA+, Military Veteran, or located in a low-to-moderate income area.
National Grant Requirements: Vary.
Link: Founders First Regional & National Grants
Freed Fellowship Grant Program
Every month, they give one $500 grant to an underrepresented founder in the US to invest in their existing business. No strings attached. No equity required. Grant recipients are also eligible to receive an additional end-of-year grant of $2,500.
Link: http://www.freedfellowship.com
Merchant Maverick Opportunity Grant
This grant is open to for-profit businesses that are majority-owned by a Black woman (cisgender or transgender) or a Black femme-identified individual. The program will award four grants of $10,000 each.
Link: https://www.merchantmaverick.com/grant-application-page
NASE Growth Grants
You could receive up to $4,000 for your small business through the NASE Growth Grants program. NASE membership required.
Link: NASE
IFund Women Grants
IFundWomen has secured more than $8M in corporate grants to pay forward to its members. Grant amounts vary and
their application should take no more than 20 minutes to fill out. Pro Tip: Have your business pitch written out in advance so you can simply copy and paste it in. The rest of the questions are basic and easy.
Link: IFund Women Grant Application
New Voices Fund
New Voices Fund is a $100 Million Fund created to empower women of color entrepreneurs to reach their full potential. This groundbreaking initiative, designed to level the playing field, provides women of color entrepreneurs with unprecedented access, capital, and expertise they need to excel. This fund supports start-ups, established businesses, and community-based enterprises. The goal is to deliver unprecedented impact to communities by ensuring New Voices of entrepreneurship learn, grow, and thrive for generations to come. New Voices Fund was founded by family-run conglomerate Sundial Brands, owner of best-selling brands SheaMoisture and Nubian Heritage.
Link: https://newvoicesfoundation.org
NJEDA Small Business Improvement Grant
This grant supports businesses and nonprofits by reimbursement of costs associated with capital improvements or purchasing and/or installation of new furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Project costs must be at least $5,000, and incurred on or after March 9, 2020, but no more than 2 years prior to the application date. The maximum grant award is not to exceed $50,000. Total project costs that exceed $50,000 will be subject to Green Building Standards for lighting and/or mechanical work, and applicants that use more than 4 contractors may be subject to Affirmative Action requirements. Applicants are limited to one application per federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Deadline: Rolling
Link: https://www.njeda.gov/small-business-improvement-grant/#1
Verizon Small Business Grants
On February 8th, 2021, LISC launched the grant application that small businesses can use to apply for a $10,000 grant. Grants will be eligible for small businesses across the U.S., particularly in historically underserved communities hit hard by the pandemic. Eligible expenses for the grant include: paying rent and utilities, meeting payroll, paying outstanding debt to vendors, upgrading technology infrastructure, and other immediate operational costs.
Walmart Foundation
The focus here is on non-profits. Walmart’s signature programs include the National Giving Program, the Community Grant Program and the Northwest Arkansas Giving Program. In addition, they offer funding to support promising Canadian programs that have the potential to significantly reduce food waste and loss – with the ultimate goals of preventing loss, maximizing donations of usable food, and minimizing food waste that ends up in landfills.
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2024 DEADLINE-BASED GRANT APPLICATIONS
JANUARY
Black New Venture Competition (BNVC)
The Black New Venture Competition (BNVC) connects promising early-stage Black founders with resources to develop their ventures into dynamic powerhouses. The competition serves as a launching pad for innovative ventures by providing exposure to capital, mentors, and advisors. Previous winners have gone on to raise more than $10 million in venture funding and have been accepted into prestigious accelerators (Y Combinator, Techstars). Founders will have the opportunity to pitch their ventures to a panel of esteemed judges and compete for a chance to win more than $200K of total prize money. There are two competition tracks: one for pre-revenue ventures and another for revenue-generating ventures.
Deadline: Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024 at 11:59pm ET
Link: Black New Venture competition
FEBRUARY
Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund
The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 to purchase equipment or supplies that will support your farm business. The application process is extremely competitive and submitting an application does not guarantee funding.
Deadline: Feb 14th, 2024
Link: https://farmvetco.org/fvfellowship/
MARCH
Startup Runway
Their mission is to showcase the top 10% of women- and minority-led startups across the Southeast and connect them with investors who understand early stage companies. Startup Runway awards grants of $5,000 and $10,000 at different points in the year.
Deadline: March 21st, 2024
Link: https://startuprunway.org/events/24th-startup-runway-showcase/
MTWBC Impact Grant
Applicants can apply for up to $3,000 or $6,000 to be used for equipment, marketing, signage, staffing, trailers, leasehold improvements, or anything that will take your business to the next level—please only apply for exactly how much you need. For example, if your project will cost $5,200, you will apply for $5,200. You can enter yourself into either the $3,000 or $6,000 grant; if you enter the $3,000 grant pool, then you will only be reimbursed $3,000, even though your project costs $5,200.
There are four different grants available; you can only apply for one grant per business. More than one application per business automatically disqualifies all applications for that business.
Deadline: March 8, 2024
Link: https://prosperamt.org/loans-grants/impact-grant
Incfile Fresh Start Business Grant
Whether you’re starting over or starting from scratch, Incfile wants to be there to help your business succeed. One adult entrepreneur will receive $2,500 to put toward business startup costs and will also receive free formation services from Incfile.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://www.incfile.com/entrepreneur-grant#:~:text=Apply%20Now-,Fresh,-Start%20Business%20Grant
LOREAL BEAUTY FUND
2024 Inclusive Beauty Fund, which provides financial support and resources to small businesses and entrepreneurs across the beauty industry. Administered in collaboration with the NAACP’s Economic Empowerment Fund and Hispanic Federation, respectively, L’Oréal has partnered with GlobalGiving to provide 40 one-time grants to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the beauty industry across the United States.
Deadline: March 29th, 2024
WE BUILD ACCELERATOR
The W.E. Build Accelerator by Build in Tulsa and sponsored by Goldman Sachs will empower innovative and diverse early-stage startups led by women who have been historically denied access to resources and funding. The next program will run in 2024. W.E. Builders Benefits:
A $25,000 non-dilutive business award
3 months of business training
Networking and mentorship opportunities
Free legal and accounting services
Coworking desks and conference room access
Laptop devices and connectivity
Financial education
Cost of living stipends to help provide housing, childcare, and health care
Bi-weekly mental health counseling
Deadline: March 16th, 2024
Link: https://www.buildintulsa.com/programs/w-e-build
CECRED X BEYGOOD
Fostering talent, promoting professionalism, and supporting entrepreneurship within the hair industry is deeply important to the brand. They’re partnering with Cécred to create the Cécred x BeyGOOD Fund, which celebrates the influence professional stylists have on hair health and the critical importance of advocating for the salon community. An annual $500,000 will fund cosmetology school scholarships and salon business grants across five cities chosen for their large, diverse community of hair stylists: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and New Jersey.
Deadline: March 20th, 2024
Link: https://beygood.org/cecred
Match on Main
Match on Main is a reimbursement grant program, provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, that serves as a tool to support new or expanding place-based businesses by providing up to $25,000 in funding to support an eligible small business through an application submitted, administered, and managed by the local unit of government, downtown development authority, or other downtown management or community development organization where the business is located.
Deadline: Not posted yet.
Link: https://webportalapp.com/sp/login/medc_match_on_main
APRIL
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
Each year, FedEx offers an exciting opportunity for minorities and small businesses with its annual business grant contest. Winners can win up to $50,000 to expand and grow their business. The contest will give out prizes to 12 lucky winning businesses
Deadline: April 1, 2024.
Link: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/grants.html
IFundWomen • Angel City Football Club’s Player 22 Small Business Grant Program
Angel City FC, LLC ("ACFC"), a majority women-owned and community-minded organization, has teamed up with IFundWomen to fund and support entrepreneurs who want to launch or grow their small businesses. Apply now for your chance to win a $10k grant plus one year of business coaching!
Deadline: April 8, 2024.
Link: https://www.ifundwomen.com/grants/angel-city-fc-contest-rules
NC BEC ECOSYSTEM Grant
Match on Main is a reimbursement grant program, provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, that serves as a tool to support new or expanding place-based businesses by providing up to $25,000 in funding to support an eligible small business through an application submitted, administered, and managed by the local unit of government, downtown development authority, or other downtown management or community development organization where the business is located.
Deadline: April 15th, 2024
Link: https://ncidea.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-NC-BEC-ECOSYSTEM-Request-for-Proposals-FINAL.pdf
Hello Alice American Dream Grant
The American Dream Awards shine a spotlight on small businesses that epitomize the modern American Dream through their innovative solutions, outstanding community contributions, and commitment to sustainable business practices. These prestigious awards are available to all for-profit businesses operating in the United States. If you become a recipient, you'll receive a package that comprises $1,000 in funding, access to a small business accelerator, media coverage, and various other perks! You can apply for one or more of the categories provided that align with your business's strengths and values.
Deadline: April 30th, 2024
Link: https://app.helloalice.com/grants/the-american-dream-awards
Roadmap to Billions
The Pitch Competition at the Annual Roadmap to Billions is back! Pitch submissions are open early, so register and apply now! With up to $20K in cash + prizes on the line, come prepared to pitch your tech or scalable startup to a panel of judges, 100+ investors, and 1,500 attendees. Over $30M in funding and counting has been invested into participating pitch competition finalists through curated investor connections.
Eligibility: Must identify as a Black woman. Must be operating a tech or scalable business. Must be registered for Roadmap to Billions
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://www.blackambitionprize.com
JLH Social Impact Fund
Recipients will receive $17,500 in direct unrestrictive grant funding. In addition, the JLH Social Impact Fund will match dollar for dollar $17,500 of what each grantee crowdfunds during a FundBlackFounders campaign.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://www.jlhfund.org/
MAY
2024 Shea Moisture Canada - The Dream Fund
SheaMoisture’s ‘Dream Fund Grant’ program aims to empower Black female-owned businesses across Canada. Launched on April 15, 2024, this program is designed to provide financial grants and educational resources to 10 successful entrepreneurs in the beauty and wellbeing sectors. The goal is to enhance their business acumen and growth potential. As part of this initiative, SheaMoisture has allocated five $10,000 cash grants, totaling $50,000, to support five Black female entrepreneurs. Recipients will receive personalized coaching, mentoring, and ongoing support from esteemed leaders in Canada’s Black business community over a six-month period.
Deadline: May 31st 2024
Link: https://unileverpromos-ca.wyng.com/SheaMoistureDreamFund2024
2024 Black Ambition Prize
The Black Ambition Prize seeks to strengthen pathways to entrepreneurship, increase access to capital and expand pathways to growth, and highlight the talents of Black and Hispanic founders.
Teams applying for the Black Ambition Prize must have at least one founder or co-founder that identifies as Black/African/African American and/or Hispanic/Latino/a/. A member of the founding team is defined as having a VP or C-Suite level role. Eligible ventures must have raised no more than $1M in dilutive funding to date. This category is for projects that have shown progress against the venture concept (tested the concept, working prototype, minimum viable product).
Deadline: May 6th 2024
Link: https://blackambitionprize.com/apply-now/
2024 Halcyon Equity Tech Fellowship
This fellowship empowers entrepreneurs across the United States and the globe leveraging technology to increase social and financial inclusion and close equity gaps in wealth, education, and accessibility.
The EquityTech Fellowship is run with support from Capital One, Deloitte, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Arnold & Porter.
Deadline: May 31st, 2024
Link: https://blackambitionprize.com/apply-now/
JUNE
Healthe Voices Impact Fund
The HealtheVoices Impact Fund is a grant program supporting innovative efforts by health advocates to serve and assist patient communities.
Deadline: June 18th, 2024
Founders First National Pride Grant for LGBTQIA+ Small Businesses
The LGBTQIA+ National Grant provides eligible small businesses the chance to receive one of 25 grant packages totaling $25,000. Founders First is committed to increasing the number of diverse founder-led businesses generating over $1 million dollars in revenues and creating wage jobs.
Link: https://foundersfirstcdc.org/pride-grant/
Lake County Micro-Business Covid-19 Relief Grant
The Lake County Economic Development Corporation (Lake EDC) is pleased to announce the launch of the California Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, which will provide grants of $2,500 to local microbusinesses significantly impacted by COVID-19. Grant amounts and eligibility requirements are set by the funder, the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA). The intent of this program is to provide relief to the hardest-to-reach microbusinesses and entrepreneurs.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://www.lakecountycaedc.org/grants
Square Black Equity Grant Program
Funding up to $15,000 and increased exposure and visibility for Black-led platforms. Company must be US based and its platform must be publicly launched and have at least 5 customers.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: http://squareup.com/us/en/campaign/black-equity-grant-program
NAACP Power Forward Small Business Grant
Vistaprint, the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation & the NAACP teamed up to empower Black-owned small businesses. The Power Forward Small Business Grant will provide $25,000 + design and marketing assistance to qualified applicants.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://app.helloalice.com/grants/naacp-power-forward-small-business-grant-2023
JULY
Rooted in Growth Grant + Mentorship Program
The amika Rooted in Growth Grant + Mentorship Program powered by SoGal Foundation, aims to support BIPOC women and LGBTQIA+hair entrepreneurs with long-term aspirations to succeed in the professional beauty sphere by offering meaningful funding ($25K grant) to provide longevity and sustainability, paired with mentorship and networking with key industry contacts.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://sogalfoundation.typeform.com/to/ydDAYFxK?typeform-source=www.google.com
Uber Eats x Visa Grants for Growth Sustainable Packaging Program
The Grants for Growth Sustainable program presented by Uber Eats and Visa is awarding restaurants in the greater Los Angeles and New York areas with $10,000 sustainability package credits.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://app.helloalice.com/grants/uber-eats-x-visa-grants-for-growth-sustainable-packaging-program
2023 Small Business Growth Fund (Round 2)
In partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and with funding from Etsy and Progressive, Hello Alice is awarding small business owners between $5,000 and $25,000 in grants to help accelerate their growth. To be eligible, a business must have less than $1M in annual revenue, a commitment to their customers and community, and a clear plan to use the grant funds.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://app.helloalice.com/grants/2023-small-business-growth-fund-round-2
CESAR® Workplace Grant $75,000
In its mission to make every office dog-friendly, the CESAR® brand has launched a 2023 national grants program for businesses that want to start or enhance dog-friendly programs for their workplace. Building on insights from Mars Petcare’s BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program, the CESAR® brand aims to help dog-friendly workplaces obtain amenities, dog-friendly design, effective pets-at-work policies and more. AWARDS Applicants will apply for one of two category amounts ($2,500.00 or $5,000.00) to establish new dog-friendly workplace programs or enhance or expand existing programs.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
The Transform Business Grant
The TRANSFORM Business Grant provides a $1,000 microgrant and a customized, year-long business strategy and development program to each grantee. It is designed to support individuals in systemically oppressed groups who are making social impact and demonstrate financial need. This includes, but is not limited to, BIPOC individuals, individuals who have a disability, formerly incarcerated individuals, and queer, trans, and nonbinary folks. At this time, The TRANSFORM Business Grant is only open to applicants in the United States, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Individuals and teams/groups are welcome to apply.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://www.transformgrant.org/the-grant/
ASUS ProArtist Awards
The ASUS ProArtist Awards is an annual free-to-enter, global creative competition for designers, artists and creators.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://www.asus.com/campaign/ASUS-ProArtist-Awards-2023/global/
Atomic Grant
Atomic Grants are available to those who identify as a woman, and who are 21+. You can live anywhere in the world - as long as you have a way to receive the money digitally, and you are connected via email and social media. One recipient each quarter will receive a USD $1500 cash grant, 3 x 1 hour sessions of mentoring from leading strategy and culture consulting firm Keystone Group International AND a free year of membership to Passion Collective On Demand, so that you have support and expertise as you invest in yourself.
Link: https://www.asus.com/campaign/ASUS-ProArtist-Awards-2023/global/
AUGUST
2024 Halstead Grant
The Halstead Grant is an annual award for emerging silver jewelry artists. Applicants submit answers to 15 business questions in addition to their design portfolios. The experience is designed to help jewelry entrepreneurs create a strategy to kick-start their careers. The grand prize is a $7,500 cash grant plus other benefits.
Deadline: August 1, 2024
Link: https://grant.halsteadbead.com/application
JFK Airport Institute of Concessions
The JFK Airport Institute of Concessions is an approximately 13-week in-person training program designed to deliver focused business insights that help train Food and Beverage and Retail businesses operate in an airport setting. Enroll today to learn about scaling your business, the availability of financial resources in the concessions industry, developing bids, and the nuances of operating in the airport among many other topics.
Link: https://www.panynj.gov/airports/en/Institute-of-Concessions.html
Women’s Net StartUp
If your women-owned business is a startup, you might be selected for a $10,000 WomensNet Startup Grant.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/business_category/startups/
SEPTEMBER
Bank United, Women in Business Challenge
One women-owned small business will walk away from BankUnited’s Small Business, Big Dreams: Women in Business Summit with a $15,000 grand prize to help grow their business as part of BankUnited’s annual celebration of National Women’s Small Business Month in October.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://www.bankunited.com/small-business/small-business-big-dreams-challenge
The Mama Ladder
The Mama Ladder helps ambitious mom entrepreneurs grow their business. This is an international grant program. Mothers who own businesses, from any country, are welcome to apply!
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://themamaladder.com/grant
FEARLESS FUND X ULTA BEAUTY
This one of a kind grant is dedicated to supporting Hispanic/Latina women in the beauty industry in partnership Ulta Beauty. We will be awarding three $10,000 grants to women who have shown exceptional dedication to their craft as women of color founders.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://www.fearlessfund.foundation/ultagrant
OCTOBER
FEDEX X HELLO ALICE
In partnership with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network(GEN), FedEx has launched the second round of the FedEx® Entrepreneur Fund to support entrepreneurs in the United States by providing them with $300,000 in grants and educational resources. This program is designed to offer entrepreneurs the necessary funding, resources, and networks to enhance the success of their businesses. Through the FedEx® Entrepreneur Fund, thirty (30) grants of $10,000 each will be awarded to entrepreneurs who have a connection to the military and/or entrepreneurs with disabilities.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://helloalice.com/grants/fedex
Hello Alice Small Business Growth Fund Grants
The Small Business Growth Fund is back for the third and final round of 2023! In partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and with funding from Etsy and Progressive, the Small Business Growth Fund provides small business owners the capital they need to make their next move. Recipients will receive $5,000-$25,000 grants to help accelerate their growth and achieve their goals.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://helloalice.com/grants/sbgf
NOVEMBER
Tory Burch Foundation
Up to 50 Fellows will receive benefits beyond the foundation’s $5,000 grant for business education. Per the website, they’ll also enjoy a 4-day workshop series at the Tory Burch offices and access to their online peer-to-peer network of women entrepreneurs and resources. A smaller group of selected Fellows will have the opportunity to pitch their business to industry influencers.
Link: https://www.toryburchfoundation.org/fellows/
AAUW Career Development Grants
Career Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce in education; health and medical sciences; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); or social sciences. Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose last degree was received before June 30, 2016. Funds are available for tuition, fees, books, supplies, local transportation and dependent care.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/career-development/
DECEMBER
15 PERCENT PLEDGE X SEPHORA
One Black business owner within the beauty industry a $100,000 grant to unlock the next level of growth and potential for their brand. As part of this grant, the 15 Percent Pledge team will help facilitate a bridge between the grantee and the Sephora team, continuing our mission to create an ecosystem where Black businesses and retailers can be connected.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
Link: https://15percentpledge.org/award-sephora
EmployABILITY Business Grant
Small and medium-sized businesses can apply for a grant ranging from $20,000 to $200,000, with the possibility of additional funding in the future, to support hiring and training individuals with disabilities. These grants will allow businesses to introduce and expand disability-inclusive hiring practices. Businesses may use the grants for equipment, new hire costs, training, consulting services, physical location improvements, or other needs related to the hiring and retention of employees with disabilities.
Deadline: Not Posted Yet.
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