Grants, programs, funding and more.
The best way to search this list is to do (ctlr +F or command + f) and enter a key words to narrow down your industry or location. Updated monthly.
Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition - Each year Women Founders Network creates a unique opportunity for Female Founders. What makes our pitch competition different than other fast pitch competitions is the valuable mentoring, coaching and in-kind sponsorships that we offer as part of the program. https://www.womenfoundersnetwork.org/about-fast-pitch
Galaxy Grant - $2,750 Galaxy Grant Giveaway! Enter for a chance to win our new $2,750 Galaxy Grant, brought to you by Hidden Star, a 501(c)(3).Galaxy grants only takes 30 seconds to enter! https://galaxyofstars.org/galaxy-grants/
Papaya Grant - $10,000 Sponosored by Papaya Reusables, a sustainable paper towel brand, the Papaya Grant is open to US based, women-owned small businesses. One winner will receive a $10,0000 grant. Application close March 31, 2024. https://www.papayareusables.com/pages/grant
Amazon App Store Small Business Accelerator - The Small Business Accelerator Program allows developers that earn less than 1 million USD in total annual revenue in the previous calendar year to access additional benefits up to or equivalent to 20% of Appstore revenue. If eligible, you’ll receive a 10% increased royalty payment and AWS credits equivalent to 10% of your app revenue. - https://developer.amazon.com/apps-and-games/small-business-program
Antler Global Startup Program - Antler is a global early-stage VC that runs multiple programs for business startups around the world. See the website for more info about the program and application dates. - https://www.antler.co/platform/#apply-now
Awesome Foundation - 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”. Awarded monthly - https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en
AWS Startup Loft Accelerator - AWS Startup Loft Accelerator equips your technical team with tech resources, guidance and a community of peers. From technical deep dives to round tables on day-to-day CTO challenges, including: recruiting, managing an engineering team, building a minimum viable product, and design principles for cloud architecture. Provides $25,000 in AWS credits - https://aws-startup-lofts.com/emea/program/accelerator
Because Accelerator - Because Accelerator is a business accelerator program designed to help entrepreneurs take their innovative products to the next level. Apply by 1/26/2024 - https://becauseinternational.org/accelerator
Canva Pro For Nonprofits - If you are a nonprofit, you can register now to get Canva’s premium features for free. - https://www.canva.com/canva-for-nonprofits/
LOCATION SPECIFIC - Emergent Ventures Grant/Fellowship Application (through Mercatus Center at George Mason University) - Emergent Ventures, a fellowship and grant program from the Mercatus Center, seeks to support entrepreneurs with highly scalable, “zero to one” ideas for meaningfully improving society. Projects will either be fellowships or grants: fellowships involve time in residence at the Mercatus Center in Northern Virginia; grants are one-time or slightly staggered payments to support a project. https://mercatuscenter.formstack.com/forms/emergent_ventures
Etsy Disaster Relief Fund - Sellers will be eligible for a grant if they experienced a federally declared natural disaster within the past year, have been an active seller on Etsy for at least one year, and their Etsy account is in good standing. Grants for $2,500 - https://advocacy.etsy.com/etsy-emergency-relief-fund-at-cerf/
Echo360 e3 Tech Grants - Echo360 e3 Tech Grants will award up to 20 recipients with cash or software grants US $2,000 in cash or up to $5,000 in software in two categories: EchoImpact and EchoInnovation – Apply by 3/22/2024 - https://echo360.com/company/grants/
F6S List of Accelerators and Pitch Competitions - Provides a list of accelerators, contests and pitch competitions around the world. https://www.f6s.com/
Pollination Project - Grants to global non-profits. Annual budget for your group or organization must be less than $50,000. The total cost for the immediate project for which you are requesting funding must be less than $40,000 - https://thepollinationproject.org/apply/
Roddenberry Catalyst Fund - The Catalyst Fund is offering grants to Nonprofits & Social Enterprises to fund ideas or early-stage projects that have a high potential for large-scale impact and sustainable change. You can be a seasoned social entrepreneur or a first-time changemaker. Eligible candidates for the Catalyst Fund may be individuals, teams of individuals, non-profit organizations, or social enterprises. Funding up to $15,000 - https://roddenberryfoundation.org/our-work/catalyst-fund/
Savvy Fellowship - Savvy is a 12-week virtual Fellowship program for young professionals seeking to be part of the new generation of impact entrepreneurs. Applicants should be 40 or younger - https://savvyfellows.com/team/
GLOBAL - SheTrades Accelerator - SheTrades Accelerator Programme for women entrepreneurs and business support organizations in the Apparel, Accessories and Home Décor sectors is targeting women-led businesses (WLBs) and Business Support Organizations (BSO) in the Apparel, Accessories, and Home Decor sector from Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Senegal, and South Africa. - https://shetrades-accelerator.converve.io/
Techstars Accelerators - Techstars accelerators have one goal: to help entrepreneurs succeed. During each three-month program, they surround companies (companies should be based in North American time zones) with the best mentors and an unrivaled network of corporate partners, investors, and alumni. Companies can receive $20K for 6% of company. Various locations and due dates - https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/
We Make Change - Global initiative that matches small businesses (mainly not for profits) with volunteers who are professional individuals or are from companies (including blue chip) that have an interest in supporting not for profits. Helps impact startups build a remote volunteer team for free - https://www.wemakechange.org/
CANADA - Black Innovation Launchpad - The Black Innovation Launchpad is a FREE virtual skills development platform focused on building the next generation of Black entrepreneurs. https://www.dmzlaunchpad.ca/courses/black-innovation-launchpad
CANADA - Boost Your Business Technology Grant - Boost Your Business Technology grant offers support to Canadian-owned small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who want to adopt new digital technologies. Funding up to $15,000 - https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/152.nsf/eng/00013.html
CANADA - Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant Program - Toronto - The Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant Program is available to owners and tenants of vacant properties or the risk of being vacant properties at street level, or properties at risk of becoming vacant (that have received funding from the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy program) within the city of Toronto, that are used for commercial purposes at street level, and that are locally owned and operated. A minimum of three eligible improvements must be made. Funding up to $24,000 - Apply by 3/7/24 - https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-incentives/commercial-space-rehabilitation-grant-program/
CANADA - IMPACT grants - Primary goal of grant is to fuel the endeavors of businesses and nonprofits that are actively making a significant IMPACT within their communities and beyond. Open to US and Canada-based organizations. Funding of $1,000 -https://impactfundingsolutions.com/impact-grant-application-for-businesses/
CANADA - Launchpad for Women Entrepreneurs - Launchpad for Women Entrepreneurs is designed to empower early-stage women entrepreneurs interprovincially by offering dedicated resources to kickstart and grow a successful business. Program is available via its on-demand self-paced learning platform nationally or through in-person sessions across Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia -https://www.launchpadforwomen.ca/
Amazon's Black Business Accelerator - Dedicated to helping build sustainable equity and growth for Black entrepreneurs by enabling their success as sellers. Grow your business with access to financial support, strategic business guidance and mentorship, and marketing and promotional support. - https://sell.amazon.com/programs/black-business-accelerator
American Dream Grant - The American Dream Awards celebrate small businesses embodying the modern American Dream. Open to all US for-profit businesses, recipients get $1,000, a business accelerator, media exposure, and more. Apply by 4/30/2023 - https://helloalice.com/funding/grants
LOCATION SPECIFIC - BMO Fellowship (Watson Institute) - This fellowship is a fully funded 16-week intensive virtual fellowship designed for sustainability entrepreneurs who are driving solutions to their communities’ most significant environmental and sustainability challenges. While BMO is located across North America, this fellowship will focus on the U.S. mid-west region. Preference will be given to applicants from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota. Funding up to $10,000. Apply by 1/31/2024 - https://watson.is/bmo-fellowship-2024/
Bob Woodruff Foundation Grant for Veterans - Must be nonprofit that services veteran community and must have at least 2 consecutive years of $50,000 in gross receipts. Apply by 1/11/2024 - https://bobwoodrufffoundation.org/grants/
Fund For Teachers Fellowship - Fund for Teachers’ fellowships provide support for teachers’ self-designed learning experiences. The goals of the fellowship are for educators to serve as problem solvers and innovators who create solutions to real problems of practice, reflect on their experience as a learner and transfer the most powerful aspects of their experience to student learning, integrate their experiences as fellows into their teaching to create more globally minded students, and grow as leaders and change makers. Full-time preK-12 grade teachers who spend at least 50% of their time directly providing instruction to students are eligible. Grants for $5,000. Apply by 1/18/2024 - https://www.fundforteachers.org/
HerRise Micro-Grant ($10 fee to apply) - Each month a $500 micro-grant will be awarded to a for-profit small business owned by women of color. Past recipients used their growth grants for computers, equipment, marketing materials, software purchase, website creation and more. - https://www.hersuitespot.com/herrise/
IMPACT grants - Primary goal of grant is to fuel the endeavors of businesses and nonprofits that are actively making a significant IMPACT within their communities and beyond. Open to US and Canada-based organizations. Funding of $1,000 -https://impactfundingsolutions.com/impact-grant-application-for-businesses/
Juntos Crecemos Hispanic Digital & Delivery Program (PepsiCo) - PepsiCo is inviting Latina entrepreneurs who work in food service to apply for eight weeks of personalized expert consultation, including best practices across operations, technology, marketing and digital presence. https://pepsicojuntoscrecemos.com/jefaowned/
Military Entrepreneur Challenge - The Military Entrepreneur Challenge is a nationwide grant program that gives veteran, military spouse, and Gold Star Family entrepreneurs the opportunity to network, learn, and compete for capital to grow their small business. - https://secondservicefoundation.org/mec/
Minority Business Circle - Supportive network for diverse entrepreneurs in various industries, offering opportunities like grants, loans, significant discounts on essential business products, and a comprehensive step-by-step guide with customized tools to track progress and foster growth. See link for info - https://minoritybusinesscircle.com/
Novae Grants Database - Novae Grants database are intended for small businesses with 6-100 employees, though some are also intended for larger businesses and sole proprietor startups - https://grants.novaegrants.com/
SPUR (Shared Purpose, Unlimited Reach) Pathways - Through an integrated and collaborative approach, Macy’s, Inc. and Momentus will provide access to a range of capital options from microloans to growth capital to equity investments. This represents a commitment to underrepresented businesses and aims to galvanize the retail industry to invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs - https://www.macysinc.com/purpose/spurpathways
Start Path Small Business (Mastercard) - During the 4-month program, startups will have the opportunity to leverage Mastercard's network and subject matter expertise to uncover product partnerships, scale their companies and power solutions that drive safe, secure and simple experiences. Companies should be in one of following industries: Customer Service, Banking, Security, E-commerce, Artificial Intelligence, Payment Processing, Digital Lending, FinTech -https://developer.mastercard.com/programs/start-path-small-business/
Start Small Think Big is a nonprofit that helps small businesses with high potential and limited access to the resources needed to create thriving businesses. They partner with small business owners, providing personalized business support and building connections with local communities. If you are interested in being considered as a “client” for free services, you can fill out this form https://partner.startsmallthinkbig.org/bofainstitute (toggle for English/Spanish). They also offer free webinars (in English and Span) that can be found here - https://www.startsmallthinkbig.org/events-for-small-businesses
Truist NonProfit Grant - The Truist Foundation supports nonprofits with grants that target leadership development, economic mobility, thriving communities and educational equity. Quarterly deadlines - https://www.truist.com/purpose/truist-foundation/grant-application
Veterans Business Battle - Event gives invited military veterans an opportunity to pitch business ideas to investors and lenders for a chance to raise capital. During the competition, finalists attend workshops geared toward businesses in early stages of development, have the opportunity to perfect their pitch and receive feedback from professionals, network with potential investors and learn from other entrepreneurial success stories. Funding up to $15,000. Apply by 2/13/2024 - https://business.rice.edu/veterans-business-battle
Veterans Business Outreach Center - The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program offers resources to veterans who are interested in starting or growing a small business. There are 22 locations (soon expanding to 35) and they offer workshops, training, counseling, and mentorship opportunities. - https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/veterans-business-outreach-center-vboc-program
Warrior Rising Grant - Warrior Rising strives to accept and assist veterans at any point in the process of starting their own business, whether it is only a concept or if they have actual operations. Funding of $20,000 - https://www.warriorrising.org/apply/
Wish Local Empowerment Program - You must be a Black-owned business with a brick-and-mortar shop within the United States and less than 20 employees. If selected for the program, you must join Wish Local (which is free). Grants for up to $2000 - https://www.wish.com/local/empowerment
LOCATION SPECIFIC - Women and Minority Business Owner Down Payment Grant (Bank of America) - Non-repayable grant is for up to $25,000 on SBA owner occupied commercial estate loans for business locations within select opportunity zones (Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles) Program may expand based on pilot. - https://promotions.bankofamerica.com/smallbusiness/downpaymentgrant
YippityDoo Big Idea Grant ($15 application fee) - Each month, one $1000 grant is awarded 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. - https://programs.yippitydoo.com/thebigideagrantforwomen
ZenBusiness Free LLC Formation for Moms - To help mothers take the first step toward entrepreneurship, ZenBusiness is covering business formation costs and will help entrepreneurs form an LCC, track expenses, secure a business name, and more. -https://www.zenbusiness.com/moms/
48 in 48 - Website Build Event - 48in48 provides free websites to empower nonprofits. They recruit teams of talented designers, developers, project managers and content writers come together and create amazing websites over just one weekend. Non-profits with less than $3MM in revenue are welcome to apply. Their next event focuses on women-led nonprofits. The build event will be in early April and the deadline to apply is 3/18/24 - https://48in48.org/events/
Gratitude Network Fellowship - Gratitude Network’s Fellowship is a free 1 year program for non-profit leaders and their organizations anywhere around the world. The program builds leaders’ confidence and capabilities and provides tools and processes for expanding the organization’s impact. Apply by 2/18/24 - https://gratitude-network.org/get-involved/apply-to-be-a-gratitude-leader/
Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition - The competition celebrates and nurtures purpose-driven ventures that seek to address systemic inequities in education through innovation. It welcomes entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in education from around the world and encourages applications in every conceivable educational setting – from early childhood through corporate and adult training, in settings and contexts anywhere in the world. Funding of $40,000. Apply by 2/19/2024 - https://www.educationcompetition.org/apply/
MassChallenge - Entries are now open for the U.S. Early Stage Accelerator, a dynamic, industry-agnostic program designed to propel startup growth through unparalleled access to mentors, peers, customers, knowledge, and capital. The program experience is tailored for early-stage companies, from the ideation stage to early market engagement with less than $2MM in revenue. Apply by 2/29/2024 - https://masschallenge.org/united-states-early-stage/
SPUR (Shared Purpose, Unlimited Reach) Pathways - Through an integrated and collaborative approach, Macy’s, Inc. and Momentus will provide access to a range of capital options from microloans to growth capital to equity investments. This represents a commitment to underrepresented businesses and aims to galvanize the retail industry to invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs - https://www.macysinc.com/purpose/spurpathways
Warrior Rising Grant - Warrior Rising strives to accept and assist veterans at any point in the process of starting their own business, whether it is only a concept or if they have actual operations. Funding of $20,000 - https://www.warriorrising.org/apply/
ZenBusiness Small Business Grants - The ZenBusiness 2024 Small Business Grant Program offers $5,000 to small businesses who form a legal business entity (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp). In order to qualify for this grant, you must have used their formation services in the last 3-6 months. Apply by 12/31/2024 - https://www.zenbusiness.com/grants