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Funding Opportunities for March 2023

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.




GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES (unless specified in the description)

48 in 48 - Women's Build Event - 48in48 creates events across the globe where professional volunteers build new websites for 48 nonprofits in 48 hours. They provide professionally built marketing websites where you keep your domain name but get an entirely new WordPress website free website build ($25,000 value). The next build even focuses on women and nonprofits who would like to have a website built need to complete online questionnaires by 3/13/23 https://48in48.org/nonprofit-application/

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

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/

Charity Entrepreneurship Incubation Program - Meant for those interested in starting a charity - the Incubation Program lasts 8 weeks, followed by a 2 week seed-funding process. The 8 week program runs online, with 2 weeks in person in CE’s London office. $2000 stipend. Appy by 3/12/2023 - https://www.charityentrepreneurship.com/incubation-program

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

F6S List of Accelerators and Pitch Competitions - Provides a list of accelerators, contests and pitch competitions around the world. https://www.f6s.com/programs

Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab - Lab promotes financial inclusion and provides founders of tech and tech-enabled startups with much-needed access to investors—along with the tools, resources and connections they need to grow and thrive. - https://www.morganstanley.com/about-us/diversity/inclusive-ventures-lab

NGO Whisperer Global Fellowship Programme - NGO Whisperer Global Fellowship Programme is a six-month rigorous virtual leadership programme for exceptional leaders and founders of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and social enterprises worldwide, especially those from low and middle-income countries. Appy by 4/30/2023 - https://ngowhisperer.com/fellowship/

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/

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/

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/

Techstars Accelerators - Techstars accelerators have one goal: to help entrepreneurs succeed. During each three-month program, they surround companies 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/

Watson Institute Venture Accelerator - The Watson Institute is launching a fully-funded Venture Accelerator program for next-generation entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and experience to scale the impactful ventures they are building. This program is offered with virtual and in-person components that allows fellows to take advantage of the global cohort while also focusing on creating local impact within their communities. Appicants can be from any geographical location with a preference to applicants from the USA, Brazil, China, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Funding of $6,000. Appy by 5/15/2023 - https://watson.is/watson-accelerator/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=va-23-boa-ecornell



AFRICA-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES

Grindstone incubator - Must be based in South Africa - 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 modeling, intellectual property assessment, strategic and financial valuation as well as populating a data room - https://grindstonexl.com/

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?utm_source=social&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=BI-launchpad-feb23

Boost Your Business Technology - Grant for up to $15,000 offers support to Canadian-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who want to adopt new digital technologies. https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/152.nsf/eng/00013.html

Just-for-moms Small Business Grant Program - The $50,000 grand prize will provide more than a helping hand to take your business to the next level. It includes a $10,000 cash and $40,000 value in business products, services, and consulting. Appy by 3/20/2023 - https://www.totalmompitch.ca/


M51 Founder's Lab - Founder’s Lab is accepting applications for its inaugural cohort until March 31, which will be in hybrid form and open to startups across Canada. The M51 Founder Lab is for women and gender-diverse people who are leading or co-founding companies headquartered in Canada, ideally, those planning to raise a pre-seed ($25k - $1.5M CAD) round within 6-8 months of applying. Appy by 3/31/23 - https://www.movement51.org/founder-lab

Main Street Innovation Fund – Toronto - The fund encourages innovation and allows for unique projects to be piloted in various neighborhoods throughout the city of Toronto. Funding up to $100,000. Apply by 3/16/2023 - https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-incentives/main-street-innovation-fund/



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

AnitaB.org PitchHER competition - The annual AnitaB.org PitcHER contest is a pitch competition bringing leading women and non-binary entrepreneurs to Grace Hopper Celebration – the world’s largest gathering of women and non-binary technologists – with the goal of supporting, encouraging, and providing new funding opportunities to these entrepreneurs. Wil award a total of $100,000 to winners. Appy by 4/14/2023 - https://anitab.org/awards-grants/pitcher/

Backing Historic Small Businesses Grant - To be eligible for a grant, U.S. independent small restaurants must operate in historic buildings or neighborhoods, contribute to their neighborhood’s history and identity, and have a diverse story about cuisine and community in America. Grants of $40,000. Appy by 3/10/2023 https://savingplaces.org/historicrestaurants

Black Ambition Prize - 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/. Eligible ventures must have raised no more than $1M in dilutive funding to date. Funding up to $1,000,000. Apply by 5/8/2023 https://www.blackambitionprize.com/apply-now/

California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) - The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size, or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on twelve different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region. Apply by 3/20/23 - https://business.ca.gov/california-competes-tax-credit/

Catalyst Fund - In partnership with Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and Hello Alice, Mastercard is awarding $5K grants to Black entrepreneurs based in Atlanta, Birmingham, Dayton, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York City, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. to help them achieve their next milestone. Appy by 3/31/2023 - https://helloalice.com/partners/mastercard/catalyst-fund

Creative Writing Fellowship - The National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowships program offers $25,000 grants in prose (fiction and creative nonfiction) and poetry to published creative writers that enable the recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement. Apply by 3/8/23 - https://www.arts.gov/grants/creative-writing-fellowships

digital undivided BIG Pre-accelerator - The program is open to Latina and Black women founders based in the United States or its territories. Apply by 4/27/2023 - https://gust.com/programs/big-pre-accelerator-2023

Fast Pitch Grant - Women Founders Network - Founder/Co-Founder/CEO must be a woman or business must be majority-owned by a woman. Applications from Life Sciences, nonprofit, or cannabis/CBD companies will not be accepted. Funding up to $55,000. Applications will be open 4/1/23 to 5/31/23 - https://www.womenfoundersnetwork.org/about-fast-pitch

Fearless Strivers Grant - Open to black women who are legal U.S. residents (including DC), 18+ and the principal owner of a U.S.-based small business. Grants for $20,000. Apply by 8/31/2023 - https://www.fearless.fund/strivers-grant-contest

Freed Fellowship - Every month, one $500 grant is awarded 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. https://www.freedfellowship.com/grant1

Galaxy Grants - Galaxy of Stars is a network for women and minority owned businesses. To be eligible, you do need to create a free account at galaxyofstars.org. Grants for $3,250. Apply by 3/8/2023 - https://galaxyofstars.org/galaxy-grants/

Google for Startups Black Founders Fund - The Google for Startups Black Founders Fund provides non-dilutive cash awards to Black led startups that have participated in our programs or have been nominated by our partner community or a previous recipient. Selected founders receive $100,000 in capital along with Google Cloud credits and hands-on support to help their startup grow. Apply by 3/26/2023 - https://startup.google.com/blackfoundersfund/

Halstead Grant (jewelry) - 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. Grant for $7,500. Apply by 5/1/23 - https://grant.halsteadbead.com/

Incfile Fresh Start Business Grant - Entrepreneurs 21 years or older can apply to receive $2,500 to put toward business startup costs and will also receive free formation services from Incfile. Appy by 3/31/2023 - https://www.incfile.com/entrepreneur-grant

J.M.K. Innovation Prizes - Applications are open to individuals or teams representing nonprofit or mission-driven for-profit organizations. The J.M.K. Innovation Prize seeks to identify, support, and elevate innovators who are spearheading transformative early-stage projects in the fields of the environment, heritage conservation, and social justice. Prize is $150,000. Apply by 4/28/2023 - https://www.jmkfund.org/innovation-prize-2023/

J.L. Simmons Non-Profit PR Grant 2023 - The non-profit grant provides one year of professional news distribution services (to print, online and social media) for each grant recipient, which has a cash value of approximately $2600; it is not a “cash grant,” meaning Neotrope is not writing your charity a check if accepted, only providing services to help promote and raise awareness of the charity. Apply by 4/1/23. https://prgrants.com/non-profit-pr-grant-application/

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/

Kinetic Black Business Support Fund - Must be a black-owned small business in the state of GA, Charlotte, NC or Lexington, KY and receiving broadband internet Services from Windstream. Grants for $2,500 - https://business.windstream.com/bbsf#

Ladies Who Launch Program - Provides a $10,000 grant, business education, mentorship, advisory support, community, and amplification for US-based women and non-binary business owners and entrepreneurs. Apply by 3/31/2023 - https://www.ladieswholaunch.org/launch-program

Latinas in Tech Startup Competition - The Latinas in Tech Startup Competition is aimed at discovering, supporting, and amplifying tech startups with at least one Latina co-founder. Non-dilutive cash prizes ($30K, $20K, and $10K) will be awarded to top three winners. Apply by 3/24/2023 - https://latinasintechsummit.org/startup-competition-2023/

Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship - Must be a women-owned or led business that ss a social enterprise that is intentional about supporting women’s economic empowerment, climate resilience, or the intersection of both and have at least $20K in income. Appy by 3/31/2023 - https://www.millersocent.org/programs/our-accelerators/

National Black Business Pitch - The National Black Business Pitch (NBBP) is a competition designed to connect Black-owned businesses to corporations who seek to expand and diversify their supply chain with new products and services. Prize of $10,000. Apply by 6/1/2023 - https://nationalblackbusinesspitch.com/

Navigate Program (with REI) - Navigate program supports emerging Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) entrepreneurs in the outdoor industry by offering opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. Opportunity provides funding, mentorship, curated programming, and access to REI’s experts in production, distribution, marketing services, and talent. Funding of $25,000. Apply by 3/12/2023 - https://www.rei.com/path-ahead/navigate

Northeastern Dairy Product Innovation Competition - Open to startups located in the United States that are pre-formation or early-stage, have a viable product and scalable business model, and are ready to commit to scaling their products if they are selected as finalists, utilizing milk and/or dairy ingredients produced at dairies in the Northeast. Prize of $20,000. Apply by 3/31/2023 - https://dairyinnovation.org/

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/

Plutus Foundation (for financial literacy education) - The Plutus Foundation awards grants to support bloggers, podcasters, vloggers, journalists, educators, speakers, and authors who create financial literacy programs. Funding of $2,000. Apply by 3/13/2023 - https://plutusfoundation.org/grants/apply/

Rev Summer Prototyping Hardware Accelerator - The Rev Summer Prototyping Hardware Accelerator is open to anyone with an idea for a product and a passion for entrepreneurship. The program is free and open to the public, and teams do not need to have a legally-formed LLC to participate. The classic track supports product ideas across all industries, and the AgTech and CleanTech tracks offer startups the chance to work with a like-minded cohort and learn from industry experts. Stipends from $2000-$10,000 are available. Apply by 3/31/2023 - https://www.revithaca.com/prototyping-hardware-accelerator/

Spark Cleantech Accelerator - 12-week program and will kick-off on August 14 at the UT Research Park in Knoxville, Tennessee. The program provides mentorship, connections, stipends, prototyping services, and business acceleration services to early stage cleantech entrepreneurs to help commercialize new innovations. Funding of $15,000. Apply by 5/12/2023 - https://www.tnresearchpark.org/spark/accelerator/

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 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 (for English) or https://partner.startsmallthinkbig.org/bofainstitute-esp (for Spanish) They also offer free webinars (in Eng and Span). See this link for their upcoming events: https://www.startsmallthinkbig.org/events-for-small-businesses

TRANSFORM Business Grant - The TRANSFORM Business Grant is designed to support individuals in systemically oppressed groups who 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. Funding of $1,000. Apply by March 20, 2023 - https://www.transformgrant.org/

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

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant - Small businesses can access, for free, personalized learning through over 40 courses, mentorship, peer networking, 1:1 expert coaching and incentives such as grant funding. Funding for $10,000. Apply by 5/12/2023 - https://www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/digital-inclusion/small-business-training

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

VOA Futures Fund Community Health Incubator - This program is designed for entrepreneurs creating innovations toward community health equity. Funding up to $200,000. Apply by 3/31/2023 - https://seedspot.org/community-health-incubator/

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/

Workers Lab Innovation Fund - The Workers Lab is now accepting applications for the 2022/2023 Innovation Fund cycle and they are seeking innovators with early-stage ideas centered around making the ways our country serves workers more modern and inclusive. Funding of $5,000. Apply by 3/27/2023 - https://www.theworkerslab.com/updates/2022/2023-innovation-fund-applications-are-now-being-accepted?hsLang=en

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 the pilot. - https://promotions.bankofamerica.com/smallbusiness/downpaymentgrant



STATE-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES

Arkansas

California

  • California Dream Fund - To apply for the grant, the program first requires eligible startups to participate in a no-cost business startup program that combines helpful startup training workshops with one-on-one consulting services. Upon successful completion of the program, eligible participants will be given a link to apply for grant funding up to $10,000 - https://calosba.ca.gov/funding-grants-incentives/california-dream-fund-program/

  • Carson, CA Small Business and Commercial Improvement Grants - Small Business Grant Program will provide grants of $5,000 to $25,000 for businesses impacted by the pandemic, while the Commercial Facade Improvement Program will offer a dollar-for-dollar matching grant to encourage businesses to make aesthetic improvements to their storefronts. Businesses must be located in Carson and have 50 employees or fewer. - https://ci.carson.ca.us/communitydevelopment/SBGProgram.aspx

  • Lake County, CA Microgrant Program - Must be physically located in Lake County and have <5 full-time equivalent employees. Grants for $2,500 on a first come, first served basis - https://www.lakecountycaedc.org/grants/

  • Long Beach Visual Improvement Grant Program - This City of Long Beach Visual Improvement Program (VIP) Grant will provide direct financial relief to local small businesses and nonprofits impacted by crime and vandalism on or after 10/1/2022. Eligible businesses can receive $1,500 to cover repairs to their storefront caused by vandalism. http://longbeach.gov/smallbizgrants

  • San Bernardino County Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant - Must be a business located within the San Bernardino County boundaries with 5 or less employees. Grants for $2,500 - https://www.selectsbcounty.com/major-initiatives/microbusiness-covid-19-relief-grant

  • San Francisco Vandalism Relief Grant - Business must have a storefront that was damaged after July 1, 2020 and business must have less than $8M in revenue. Grants for $2,000 - https://sf.gov/get-grant-vandalism-related-costs-your-small-business-storefront

  • San Jose BEST Grant - BEST Grant Program strives to provide funding for services to build on the strengths of San José youth and reduce their risk of gang involvement and youth violence. Interested agencies must be a 501(c)(3), a government agency, or a legally recognized faith-based organization. Apply by 3/23/2023 - https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4866/4699

  • Santa Rosa Small Business Exterior Improvement Grant - Business must be based in Santa Rosa and have 500 employees or fewer. Average award will cover 70% of project costs. Apply by 6/24/23 - https://www.srcity.org/3772/Small-Business-Support-Program

Colorado

Connecticut

  • Hartford Small Business Grant - Applicants must be a small business located downtown or in a major commercial corridor within the City of Hartford. Grants for up to $100K and required 50% match - hartfordct.gov/smallbiz

  • Meriden Business Investment and Growth Program - Priority funding will be for projects located in the Meriden Transit Oriented District, being located in a census tract, to permit additional employment and business opportunities for minority and socially disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Funding up to $300,000. Apply by 12/31/2024 - https://www.medco.biz/arpa/

  • West Hartford, CT Small Business and Nonprofit Grants - Business or non-profit must be physically based in West Hartford, CT with less than 50 employees. Grants for up to $10,000 - https://www.westhartfordct.gov/town-departments/economic-development/small-business-non-profit-recovery-grant-program

Delaware

  • EDGE Grant program - To be eligible for an EDGE award, a company must be under seven years old and have less than ten workers. Funding up to $100,000. Apply by 3/31/2023 - https://business.delaware.gov/edge/

  • Site Readiness Fund - The Site Readiness Fund provides grants, loans or other economic assistance to qualified businesses or local governments based in Delaware that invest in constructing, renovating, or improving commercial, industrial sites that are readily available to businesses - https://business.delaware.gov/site-readiness-fund/

Florida

Georgia

Illinois

  • Aurora Downtown's Business Attraction and Retention Committee Grant - Businesses can apply for either up to $2,500 to support a special event, or for up to $5,000 to support permanent improvements on the exterior or interior of a space including signage. Only one grant application per grant cycle will be considered. Businesses must be in Aurora's downtown special service area. Apply by 5/1/2023 - https://auroradowntown.org/2023grants/

  • Danville, IL Small Business Grant - Businesses must be restaurants which prepare and sell food either for on-premise or off-premise consumption or have been deemed by the State of Illinois as a “non-essential” business which was required to “cease all activities except for minimum basic operations”. Must have a commercial business location within the City of Danville (home-based businesses are ineligible). Grants for $10,000 https://www.cityofdanville.org/government/community-development/cdbg-covid-19-small-business-assistance-grant

  • Gurnee, IL Small Business Grant - The village of Gurnee, Illinois launched a small business grant program last month. Grants can be used to improve business facilities and each business must provide at least half of the capital (match) for each project. Grants up to $10,000 - https://www.gurnee.il.us/business/small-business-capital-investment-grant-program

  • Schaumburg Small Business Grants - The Village of Schaumburg has allocated $245,000 to provide grants of up to $30,000 to small businesses defined as having 50 or fewer employees. Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis until grant funds are expended. https://centerofconcern.org/schaumburg-small-business-grants/

  • Small Business Improvement Fund – Chicago - Grants for permanent building improvements and repairs. Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development facilitates the program. Local businesses can apply for grants that cover between 30 percent and 90 percent of their remodeling or building costs. Funding up to $250,000. Different application deadlines based on location in Chicago. - https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/small-business-improvement-fund/home.html

  • TechRise Chicago - TechRise Chicago hosts virtual weekly pitch competitions for BIPOC and Woman/Trans/Non-Binary entrepreneurs building early-stage startups out of Chicagoland. Each week, 5 founders are invited onstage to pitch their business to a panel of VC judges. Funding up to $50,000 -https://techrise.co/apply/

Kansas

Louisiana

Maryland

  • BGE Energizing Small Business Grant - Applicants must be a for-profit business and an existing BGE electric and/or gas customer with positive BGE credit history. Preference will be given to minority-owned and woman-owned businesses. Funding of $20,000. Apply by 3/24/2023 - https://helloalice.com/grants/bge

  • ExportMD Program - Maryland companies that receive an ExportMD Award are eligible for up to $5,000 in reimbursement for expenses associated with an international marketing project. Apps due first of each month - https://commerce.maryland.gov/fund/programs-for-businesses/exportmd-program

  • Maryland Economic Adjustment Fund - This is an evolving loan fund, which supports small businesses that don’t qualify for traditional loans or financing. This specific program will grant priority to businesses in Baltimore City and rural regions across the state. - https://commerce.maryland.gov/fund/programs-for-businesses/meaf

Massachusetts

  • Cambridge, MA Small Business E-Commerce Grant - Priority will be given to Cambridge-based businesses with fewer than 25 employees, businesses with no or little online presence, and businesses that have seen a severe decrease in sales from pre-pandemic levels. Funding up to $4000. Apply by 8/21/2024 - https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/Business/Assistance/ecommercegrant

  • Somerville, MA Small Business Grant - Businesses must be located within the City of Somerville, have 20 or fewer full-time employees, and be able to demonstrate a decline in revenue during the past two years. Grants for up to $15,000 - https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/programs/small-business-covid-19-relief-fund

  • Sussex County Small Business Grant Program - Business must have been legally established in Sussex County since Jan. 1, 2019 and have annual revenue less than $4 million and 50 or fewer full-time employees. Funding up to $15,000 - https://www.sussexcountysbg.com/

Michigan

  • Flint Community Grant Program - This application is for eligible Flint-based nonprofits, businesses, and community-based organizations that will administer programs—for example, home repair and improvement, or youth job training to the Flint community. Apply by 3/27/2023 - https://www.cityofflint.com/ARPA/

  • Lansing Small Business Support Grants - The program will provide vital funding assistance, in the form of reimbursement grants up to $50,000, to support small businesses looking to be a part of Downtown Lansing’s transformation as the community works towards recovery following the COVID pandemic. Funding also available for nonprofits -https://www.downtownlansing.org/small-business-support-grants/

  • Match on Main Grants - Reimbursement grant program provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation that serves to support new or expanding place-based businesses by providing up to $25,000 in funding to support eligible activities. - https://www.miplace.org/small-business/match-on-main/

  • Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) Grant Program - ROBIN provides funds to internet service providers and public-private partnerships for the expansion of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas. Apply by 3/14/23 - https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/mihi/funding-opportunities

  • Small Business Growth Activator - Washtenaw County - Your business must have been open and operating in Washtenaw County as of March 16, 2020 and have fewer than 5 employees. Eligible businesses may receive additional website, bookkeeping, and marketing support valued up to $2,500. Grants of $5,000 - https://www.washtenaw.org/3710/Small-Business-Growth-Activator

Minnesota

Missouri

Nevada

  • Nye County Small Business Grant Program - Nye County has reopened applications for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Small Business Grant Program, adding Premium Incentive Pay Program applications. Grant Awards have been made available for small business and nonprofit applicants with fewer than 30 employees who are independently owned and operated. Apply by 4/15/2023 - https://www.nyecountynv.gov/1090/ARPA-Recovery-Plan

New Hampshire

  • Coos Economic Development Corporation Grant - For small businesses in Coos County: Berlin, Colebrook, Gorham, Lancaster, and Whitefield. Grant awardees will receive up to $5,000 towards storefront rent for 3-months, insurance, utilities, signage, and other reasonable expenses. - https://www.coosedc.org/blogcontent/popupgrant

  • Manchester Small Business Grant and Program Assistance - Support small businesses based in Manchester, NH with fixed business costs, including rent, utilities, and payroll, accrued during the pandemic, costs associated with transitioning to e-commerce business platforms, outdoor space upgrades, and other technical assistance needs. Grants up to $10,000 -https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Planning-and-Comm-Dev/American-Rescue-Plan-Act

New Jersey

  • Mercer County Small Business Grant - The ideal business for this opportunity will be located in Mercer County, have undergone hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, and offer a brick-and-mortar location. Furthermore, the perfect applicant is a business whose main operation involves walk-in clients. Funding for $10,000 -https://grantworks.quickbase.com/db/bsypt9y7r?a=dbpage&pageID=2&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

  • Small Business Improvement Grant - All creditworthy, small, minority-owned or women-owned businesses in New Jersey may apply for assistance under the Small Business Improvement Grant. Businesses may be reimbursed for capital improvements, or purchase and/or installation of new furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Grants up to $50,000 - https://www.njeda.com/smallbusinessservices/

New Mexico

New York

  • Cornell BenDaniel Venture Challenge - Companies must be based and operating in New York state, or have a Cornell affiliation such as: - active founder who is a recent graduate or former employee - company has completed an entrepreneurial program or incubator. Funding up to $50,000. Apply by 3/10/2023 - https://airtable.com/shrH2XCMxkEYTfWmr

  • Empire State Development Corp.’s COVID-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program - Individual businesses can apply for tax credits of up to $25,000, which may cover up to half of qualified, pandemic-related expenses. Qualifying expenses include supplies or upgrades related to health and safety, including disinfectants, new HVAC equipment, touchless kiosks, and outdoor-space expansions. - https://esd.ny.gov/covid-19-capital-costs-tax-credit

  • Oyster Bay Forward Grant Program - Grant Program is open to businesses that employ up to 50 full-time equivalent employees as well as sole proprietors. Open to for-profit and non-profits. Grants for $5,000 - https://ndc.smapply.io/prog/oyster_bay_forward/

  • Pre-Seed and Seed Matching Fund Program - Program will offer early-stage businesses growth assistance from $50,000 up to $250,000 with matching from the private sector (there must be at least $1 of private sector investment for every $1 NY Ventures invests). In addition to financial support, Empire State Development offers the tools and key introductions needed to help companies reach the next level. Company must be registered to do business in New York - https://esd.ny.gov/pre-seed-and-seed-matching-fund-program

  • Rockland County Grants - Grant opportunities for restaurants and small businesses located in Rockland County up to $25,000 - https://rocklandgov.com/departments/county-executive/reviving-and-rebuilding-rockland/grants/

Ohio

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

  • Local Share Account (LSA) – Philadelphia - Eligible applicants include any of the following entities located within the City of Philadelphia: Community Development Corporations, Economic development organizations and redevelopment authorities, business improvement districts/neighborhood improvement districts, not-for-profit organizations with a 501(c) designation, the City of Philadelphia, and the School District of Philadelphia. Funding up to $500,000. - https://dced.pa.gov/programs/local-share-account-lsa-philadelphia/

  • Montgomery County Small Business Grants - Businesses must have fewer than 50 full and part-time employees and under $500,000 in annual gross revenue. Businesses must have a physical location in Montgomery County and be registered to operate in the state of Pennsylvania. Funding up to $20,000. Apply by April 2023 - https://www.montcopa.org/4263/Small-Business-Grant-Program-Focused-on-

  • Scranton Small Business Grants - Businesses must be in a qualifying Low-to-Moderate service area within the City of Scranton. Grants up to $5000 -https://scrantonpa.gov/2022/02/17/microgrants-for-small-business-startups/

South Carolina

Texas

  • Fort Bend, TX Small Business Grant - To qualify, you must be a Fort Bend business that has been operational since December 30, 2019 and prove a revenue decline of at least 25 percent from 2019 to 2020. Grants for $5000-$25,000 -https://fortbendcounty.com/expansion-and-relocation/grants

  • Harlingen Revitalization Grant - Revitalize Harlingen is a small business site improvement matching grant program offered by the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation that will provide, in the form of an incentive grant, up to $10,000 for site and store front improvements; encouraging the retention of jobs for business enterprises in the City of Harlingen - https://harlingenedc.com/revitalize-harlingen

  • Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant Program - TTIR Program was established to provide one-time reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 for the recovery of Texas businesses in the tourism, travel, and hospitality industries that were negatively impacted due to COVID-19. -https://gov.texas.gov/business/page/texas-travel-industry-recovery-grant-program

Virginia

Washington, D.C.

  • Robust Retail Citywide Grants - Only for-profit, consumer-facing, small, and independent retail businesses with fewer than 25 full-time employees (FTEs) with a licensed retail location in DC are eligible for Robust Retail Citywide Grants. Home-based, online-only, and non-profit businesses are not eligible for this grant opportunity. Grants for $5,000. Apply by 4/10/2023 - https://dslbd.dc.gov/robustretailgrant

Washington (state)

  • Achieve More Grant - WA MBDA has allocated $200,000 to provide direct business resiliency grants that help minority and/or woman-owned businesses “achieve more.” Recipients of the Achieve More Grant (AMG) can use the funds for infrastructure improvements, employee training, and business equipment. Grants for $5,000. Apply by 3/19/2023 - https://mbdawashington.com/resources/achieve-more-grant/

Seattle Storefront Repair Grant - Storefront Repair Fund grants will help cover costs to repair current property damage or reimburse business owners for costs paid out of pocket for past damages. Eligible property damages include broken windows, broken doors, broken locks and etching on windows. This grant will not cover loss of stolen goods or damages such as graffiti. Business must be within Seattle city limits. Funding up to $2,000 - https://www.seattle.gov/office-of-economic-development/small-business/small-business-programs/storefront-repair-fund#applicationandrequireddocumentation



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.

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