We are happy to share these funding opportunities and resources with you. Feel free to share this information with your personal and professional networks. We have no affiliation with these organizations - so any specific questions should be directed to them.
This article includes global and country-specific grants, resources, and opportunities.
**Reminder - If you are awarded a grant or accepted into an accelerator or fellowship, I’d love to know about it – please email me to share your news!**
Here are the funding opportunities for January 2024. If you end up being awarded a grant or accepted into an accelerator or fellowship, I’d love to know about it – please share it in the comment section or email me to share your news!
GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES (unless specified in the description)
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 - 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/
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/
F6S List of Accelerators and Pitch Competitions - Provides a list of accelerators, contests and pitch competitions around the world. https://www.f6s.com/
Ford Fund Fellowship (via Watson Institute) - An impact fellowship supported by the Ford Motor Company Fund, this is a venture and leadership development program designed for entrepreneurs who are addressing various social issues in order to enhance their ventures. The fellowship is open to applicants located in or making an impact in the following locations: China, Germany, Mexico, Romania, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States. Within the US, entrepreneurs should be based in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Louisville, or Memphis. Apply by 1/15/2024 - https://watson.is/ford-fund-fellowship/
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. Applications open 1/8/2024 - https://gratitude-network.org/get-involved/apply-to-be-a-gratitude-leader/
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/
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/
AFRICA-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES
Founders Factory Africa Gen F Incubator - Gen F is for exceptional founders/aspiring entrepreneurs looking to build out and test their ideas, achieve commercial success, and create outsized, systemic impact and founders looking to build tech solutions that solve Africa’s largest problems and catalyze change. Funding up to $250,000 - https://www.foundersfactory.africa/gen-f-eir-initiative
Grindstone incubator - Incubator will include training, corporate advisory, coaching, mentorship and funding. Specific interventions for each company include a structured gap analysis, understanding of the company value system, building a digital go-to-market strategy, financial modelling, intellectual property assessment, strategic and financial valuation as well as populating a data room - https://www.grindstonexl.com/grindstone-accelerator
Tony Elumelu Foundation - To apply, you only need to be a permanent resident of any of Africa’s 54 countries. Your startup must be at an ideation stage or not a business older than 5 years. Funding of $5,000 - https://www.tonyelumelufoundation.org/
CANADA-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES
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
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
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/
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/
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/
OPPORTUNITIES ONLY WITHIN UNITED KINGDOM
Innovate UK KTN - Resource for sourcing grant programs available in the UK across all sectors. Funding opportunities section allows visitors to the website to filter grants by sector or type of funding required. - https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/opportunities/
OPPORTUNITIES ONLY WITHIN IRELAND
Rethink Ireland Entrepreneurship Impact Fund - Goal of fund is to support mid-stage and mature social innovations to achieve higher levels of impact by scaling their innovations and reaching the next stage of growth. Funding up to 200,000 Euros. Apply by 1/11/2024 - https://rethinkireland.ie/current_fund/entrepreneurship-impact-fund-2023-2026/
OPPORTUNITIES ONLY WITHIN THE UNITED STATES
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
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/
NYU Veterans Future Lab - NYU Veterans Future Lab's free, introductory educational program for active duty service members, US military veterans, and their spouses who seek to learn entrepreneurial skills or pursue business ventures. Virtual program on Wednesday evenings from January 31, 2024 - April 3, 2024. Apply by 1/9/2024 - https://futurelabs.nyc/programs/veterans-entrepreneurship-training/
Restaurant Business Development Program (funded by Feed The Soul) - Applicant must be a "Culinary Business". A Culinary Business is defined as; Restaurant, Food Truck, Bakery, Bar/Lounge, Pop-up Food Stand, or Ghost/Cloud Kitchen. Culinary Business must be at least 51% owned by a person (or persons) who identify as marginalized. Grants for $10,000. Apply by 1/31/2024 - https://feedthesoulfou.org/restaurant-business-development/
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
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/
STATE-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES
There are also over 70 opportunities within specific US states which are not mentioned in this article. If you have questions about funding/grants, resources, and opportunities for the most recent opportunities by state click the link below to request this information.
Information courtesy of Kirsten Barker - Program Director for the Bank of America Institute for Women's Entrepreneurship at Cornell University, of which Coach Racquel is an alumnus.