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Top 10 October 2025 Grants Every Nonprofit & Entrepreneur Should Know About

October is more than pumpkin spice and changing leaves—it’s a season of opportunity for dreamers, doers, and community changemakers. Across the U.S. (and beyond), new grant doors are opening for nonprofits, small businesses, educators, artists, and advocates ready to take their vision to the next level.


Funding Opportunities


This month’s funding lineup includes resources for small businesses striving to grow digitally, nonprofits strengthening security, educators advancing art programs, and foundations investing in youth and community resilience. Whether you’re looking for seed money to fuel your big idea or support to scale what you’ve already built, these 10 grants could be the boost that takes your work from vision to impact.



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Here are the 10 legitimate funding opportunities with October 2025 deadlines, including who they’re for, the key dates, and relevant sources (receipts) so you can apply quickly and accurately.


  1. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grants (U.S.)For: Small businesses using Verizon’s Digital Ready learning platform.Deadline window: Opens Oct 1, 2025; closes Dec 10, 2025 (11:59 p.m. PST). Why care: Recurring, widely used program; grants tied to course completion. Digital Ready

  2. LA County Small Business Resiliency Fund (California, USA)For: LA County small businesses needing working-capital relief.Deadline: Oct 31, 2025 (5:00 p.m. PST).Use of funds: Rent, payroll, repairs, inventory, recovery expenses. Department of Economic Opportunity

  3. Mississippi Homeland Security Non-Profit Grant Program (U.S., MS)For: Nonprofits improving security posture (faith-based, community orgs, etc.).Deadline: October 17, 2025 (application period: September 12–October 17). homelandsecurity.ms.gov

  4. Center for Craft—Craft Research Fund (U.S.)For: Craft research (new/interdisciplinary).Deadline: Oct 17, 2025.Typical award: $5,000–$15,000 (research grants). Colossal

  5. Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation—Quality of Life Grants (U.S.)For: Nonprofits serving people living with paralysis.Deadline (Cycle 2): Oct 7, 2025. Tiers include Direct Effect ($5,000–$24,999) and larger Priority Impact tiers. Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

  6. Hartford Foundation for Public Giving—Current Opportunities (CT, USA)For: Greater Hartford-area nonprofits (program specifics on page). Deadline noted: Applications due by the end of the day Wed, Oct 1, 2025 (check fund fit on site). Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

  7. NAEA/NAEF—Art Education Foundation Grants (U.S.)For: Art educators/projects advancing visual-arts education.Deadline: Wed, Oct 1, 2025. National Art Education Association

  8. The Supporting Act—Impact Grant (Intl./Arts Nonprofits)For: Arts-focused nonprofits; includes non-financial support via Grantee Network. Deadline: Mon, Oct 13, 2025. thesupportingact.org

  9. Great Lakes Energy—People Fund (MI, USA) (LOI + Full App)For: Nonprofits in GLE service area; community development, education, etc.Key dates: LOI due Oct 1, 2025; if invited, full app due Oct 15, 2025. Manistee News Advocate

  10. Jacksonville Children’s Foundation Grants (IL, USA)For: Youth-focused charitable/educational initiatives in Morgan County.Deadline: Oct 10, 2025; board presentations Oct 20, 2025. Jacksonville Journal-Courier


Quick strategy to move from “maybe” to “money”:

  • Calendar it today (Oct deadlines move fast).

  • Match mission + geography first (several are regional).

  • Pull data (outputs/outcomes) and line up letters of support now.

  • Save versions of your narrative: 250-word, 500-word, and 1-page—reuse, refine, repeat.


Grants aren’t just about dollars—they’re about partnerships, recognition, and the chance to align your mission with wider networks of support. With deadlines fast approaching, now is the time to polish your proposals, gather your impact data, and hit “submit.”


Remember: funding follows clarity. The clearer you are about your vision, outcomes, and community impact, the more funders can see themselves in your story. October’s grant opportunities won’t wait—so circle those dates, get your applications in, and keep building toward the abundance that’s already waiting for you.

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