Need funding? Here are some grants for Small businesses and Startups
Small business grants are great opportunities to help you start a business or expand an existing business and it’s FREE MONEY! Yes, some grants may have some restrictions on what you can use the money for, but it’s definitely worth the time and effort because it can definitely give your business the boost it needs to survive and thrive. So don’t miss a deadline! What are you losing? So here are some grants to not miss out on.
FedEx Entrepreneur Fund and Boost Camp program
Presented in collaboration with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), are now open! Apply now to one of 150 spots in this 12-week digital growth accelerator, where you’ll get access to expert-led sessions, education, mentorship, a peer support network, and so much more. Plus, if you are accepted into the program, you’ll also have the opportunity to receive $10,000 in grant funding!
DEADLINE: December 13 APPLY HERE
Verizon Digital Ready Grant Program
Digital Ready is a free online learning program for small businesses. When you join, you’ll gain access to self-paced courses, coaching, events, networking opportunities and more to help your business grow and get a $10k grant.
Everything is 100% free and you don’t have to be a Verizon customer.
DEADLINE: December 13 APPLY HERE
2025 Get Venture Ready Cohort
The Get Venture Ready program is a 12-week intensive training program for business owners to acquire the needed training, mentorship, knowledge, and skills needed to gain access to capital. We will select 50 business owners to participate in this training cohort and giving away $30,000 in grant funding!
DEADLINE: December 15 APPLY HERE
Women Who Thrive Grant
They give small grants bi-weekly for whatever need you may have, for an example – your business, buying books for class, starting a non-profit, and/or self-care! The application cut off for each month on the 31st.
DEADLINE: 31st APPLY HERE
Big Idea Grant
Each month, we give one $1000 grant to a woman, age 18 or over, in the US to invest in their Business or Idea. It can be used as a start up grant, marketing grant, operational grant or whatever you need to help you to the next level with your idea or business.
DEADLINE: Rolling APPLY HERE
The Freed Fellowship
The Freed Fellowship helps small business owners get the resources, mentorship, and community they need to build successful companies that make an impact. Every month, they give one $500 grant to business owner in the US to invest in their existing business. No strings attached. No equity required.
DEADLINE: Rolling APPLY HERE
HerRise MicroGrant
Each month a $500 micro-grant is given by the HerRise Micro-Grant which provides financial assistance, with the help of corporate sponsors and donors, to women of color creating innovative solutions that impact their community and that are often unable to secure funding for their small business.
DEADLINE: Rolling APPLY HERE
LAID Hair Care
Is awarding (1) Small Business Owner with a grant for their business every month (All industries are welcomed!). Grab a Laid Hair Care product and create a reel or post an image explaining how the product inspires you!
DEADLINE: Rolling
Amber Grant
This is a monthly grant specifically for women and gives up to $25,000 each month in honor of the memory of a special young woman, Amber Wigdahl.
DEADLINE: End of each month. APPLY HERE
The Awesome Grant
The Awesome Foundation is offering $1,000 grants MONTHLY to help fund programs, projects and ideas that are “awesome”. Anyone is eligible for a grant, you can apply to any chapter or a specific chapter, just select ANY on the application form. Check out the FAQs if you still have questions.
DEADLINE: Rolling. APPLY HERE
Visa Everywhere Initiative
Visa in partnership with Techcrunch is offering competitions for startups/fintechs that are either black-owned, women-owned or LGBTQ+.
MULTIPLE DEADLINES. APPLY HERE
Black Business Accelerator
Amazon provides funding, advertising credit, mentorship and marketing support specifically for black-owned businesses.
- $500 credit to assist with start-up and operational costs for newly-registered Amazon Professional sellers.
- 3-year Sponsored Enhanced Digital Certifications for Black-owned businesses through SupplierGATEWAY.
NO DEADLINE. JOIN HERE
Black Founder Startup Grant
Provides several $10K and $5K cash grants to Black women or nonbinary entrepreneurs.
NO DEADLINE. APPLY HERE
Growth Grants
This is another resource of which you have to be a member to apply for the grant, but for all the resources you receive as a member it may be well worth it. Receive up to $4000.
NO DEADLINE. VISIT HERE
Wish Local Empowerment Program
This program will only be open to Black-owned stores, to help promote equality and diversity in American business. Apply to receive between $500 – $2000 to help rebuild your small business.
DEADLINE: ? APPLY HERE
Additional Resources
https://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/solicitation/current
https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/sbdc
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