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Top Funding Opportunities to Look Out for in January 2025

Writer's picture: Allecia RobinsonAllecia Robinson

We are pleased to provide you with these funding opportunities and resources. You're welcome to distribute this information within your personal and professional circles. We are not associated with these organizations, so please direct any specific inquiries to them.


This blog highlights more than 80 grants, resources, and opportunities available for businesses worldwide and in the US


Funding Opportunities Now Available
Funding Opportunities Now Available

Reminder - If you are awarded a grant or accepted into an accelerator or fellowship, we’d love to know about it – please email us or leave a comment below to share your news!


GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES (unless specified in the description)


100X Impact Accelerator - The Accelerator seeks changemakers with a social venture burning with purpose and potential and welcomes applicants from various backgrounds and corners of the world. Impact areas consist of climate and environment, democracy, education, equitable economies, happiness and well-being, health and social care, new frontiers, and refugees and cohesion. The Accelerator is open to nonprofit and for-profit impact-first organizations with a clear social or environmental mission, including registered charities, nonprofit organizations, or social enterprises, which are currently scaling social impact in one of the eight impact areas. Apply by 1/6/2025 - https://www.100ximpact.org/

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


Amazon Small Business Success Studio - The free service offers lessons in finance, marketing, procurement and operations, along with tips from founders -https://business.amazon.com/en/small-business/success-studio/welcome


American Express Leadership Academy - The Academy is for people in the non-profit sector who are intentionally striving to be better equipped to respond adaptively to challenges, and to keep going in the face of adversity. -  https://commonpurpose.org/american-express-leadership-academy#anchor1


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


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/


Curql Accelerate Program - Any company innovating in fintech or banking is encouraged to apply! Investments will be made exclusively into CUSOs (Credit Union Service Organizations) which is a qualification they will help companies add as part of their investment. Funding of $100,000. Apply by 3/9/2025 - https://www.gener8tor.com/investment-accelerators/curql


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://www.mercatus.org/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 Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship (Watson Institute) - Applications are now accepted for the Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship powered by Watson Institute. They are looking for courageous leaders and entrepreneurs supporting access to transportation or putting services on wheels. Preference to those creating impact in specified global locations: Brazil, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, South Africa, Spain, Vietnam, Philippines, and Thailand.  Funding of $6,000.  Apply by 1/12/2025 - https://watson.is/ford-philanthropy-fellowship/


LiftHER Grant (Asia and Australia) - LiftHER is seeking 9 visionary, impact-driven female entrepreneurs to join their next cohort. Each selected finalist will receive a comprehensive support package valued at AU$5,000, which includes an 8-week Crowdfunding Accelerator Program, 1-year Lift Angel membership, personalized mentorship, marketing and PR support, and a round-trip ticket to Melbourne. Finalists will then have the opportunity to pitch live in Melbourne for one of four prestigious awards, each offering AU$10,000 grant in non-dilutive funding.  Apply by 1/3/2025 - https://www.lifther.liftwomen.com/


Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub helps startups radically accelerate innovation by providing access to industry-leading AI services, expert guidance, and the essential technology needed to build a future-proofed startup. Up to $150K in Azure credits - https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/startups


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/


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/


Tech For An Equitable Future By Braze - Tech for an Equitable Future aims to remove barriers for underrepresented founders by providing their companies 12 months of free access to the Braze platform and supporting services.  Apply by 1/17/25 - https://www.braze.com/techforequitablefuture


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


  • CANADA-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES

Amber Grants ($15 application fee) - Must be a woman-owned business or non-profit in the US or Canada. Three $10,000 Amber Grants are awarded each month. Three of the 36 monthly winners get an additional $25,000 Year-End Amber Grant. -https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/

Black Advisory Hub Accelerator - The Black Advisory Hub (BAH) is a project for the integration and socio-professional inclusion of the Black community in Canada through innovation. Funding of $10,000 (prize in pitch comp). Apply by 1/31/2025 - https://blackadvisoryhub.ca/apply/


Black Business Accelerator Grant - Are you a (co)founder of a Black-led business in Canada that has generated or raised over $15K since inception? Is your solution making life better for Canadians? If your answer is yes, here's an incredible opportunity for you! Secure up to $25,000 to grow your business and scale for the future! The Black Business Accelerator Grant (BBAG) is empowering Black entrepreneurs to take their businesses to new heights.  Email BBAG@eqbank.ca and bfn@utoronto.ca before January 10, 2024, to receive direct application instructions. - https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/for-entrepreneurs/black-founders-network/


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


BOF Justice Grant - The BOF Justice Grant is designed to strengthen the effectiveness, capacity, and impact of Black-led, Black-serving organizations (B3s) across Canada focused on increasing justice-related services and access to justice for Black communities. Apply by 1/23/2025 - https://blackopportunityfund.ca/funding-programs/black-opportunity-fund-bof-justice-grant-program/


Canada Post Community Foundation Grant - The Canada Post Community Foundation provides grants to Canadian schools, charities and community organizations that make a difference in the lives of children and youth (up to age 21). Funding up to $50,000. Apply by 2/28/2025 - https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/our-company/community-foundation/community-foundation-application.page


Carrot Cache grants - Carrot Cache supports small projects in Ontario working toward a sustainable and just regional food system. This funding is specifically designed for food projects driven by individuals or groups facing systemic barriers or lacking funds from other resources to complete initiatives that improve or create change within the local food system in Ontario. Funding up to $5000. Apply by 1/10/2025 - https://www.carrotcache.com/how-to-apply-for-carrot-cache-funding


Coralus - Designed to leverage all forms of capital that have laid dormant in traditional structures, undervalued for decades.  There is no fee to apply as a venture. -https://www.coralus.world/


FACIT - Falcons’ Fortunes Pitch Competition - Hosted by FACIT, Falcons’ Fortunes is Canada’s only annual pitch competition targeting cancer innovations. FACIT invites entrepreneurs and scientists to pitch their Ontario-made cancer innovation to a panel of judges and in front of a live audience. The winner, based on the best pitch that convincingly tells a relatable story while sharing the commercial value of the innovation and how it will impact patients, is awarded the $100,000 investment grant. An Audience Choice award is also presented to the favourite pitch presentation as selected by attendees. Apply by 1/10/25 - https://facit.ca/falcons-fortunes


Junior League of Toronto Seed Grant - The Junior League of Toronto (JLT) is offering a Seed Grant of up to $4,000 for registered charities in the Greater Toronto Area. This grant supports new, innovative programs that align with the "Healthy Body/Healthy Minds" initiative. The JLT can support both short and long-term projects. Apply by 1/30/2025 - https://www.jlt.org/community/apply-for-a-seed-grant/


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/


TELUS Friendly Future Community Grant - The TELUS Community Boards provide a collaborative funding model enabling local community leaders to make recommendations on grants supporting youth across Canada. Canadian registered charities that offer community-based health, education or technology programs for youth are eligible to apply. Funding up to $20,000. Apply by 1/31/2025 - https://www.friendlyfuture.com/en/foundation/apply-for-funding#community


Tidal Empowerment Program - The program offers ten selected businesses an opportunity to receive comprehensive consulting on Strategy, Marketing, Operations, and Technology— worth $25,000, and a promotional technology bundle to help with implementation.  - https://empowerment.tidalcommerce.ca/


Women Founders Investment Preparedness Program - You can apply if you are an entrepreneur who self identifies as a woman and/or gender diverse and have and/or are looking to incorporate a new business in Canada. Apply by 1/7/2025 - https://canadainnovates.org/org/canadianwomensfoundation


Women Innovation Summit Pitch competition - The top 25 selected women founders will receive two pitch advisory sessions, PR opportunities through DMZ, invites to DMZ’s Women of the Year breakfast event and participation in intimate roundtable sessions on Summit day. The top 10 selected founders will have the opportunity to pitch in person for $100,000 cash investment from The Firehood. Apply by 1/19/2025 - https://dmz.torontomu.ca/women-innovation-summit/


York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) Incubator Program - YEDI's Incubator Program is seeking 15 ambitious individuals to join this year's cohort.  Apply by 1/31/2025 - https://yedi.ca/programs/certificate-programs/incubator/


Youth Opportunity Grants-Home Depot - The Youth Opportunity Grants will consider applications from Canadian registered charities dedicated to preventing and ending youth homelessness in Canada through housing, prevention and employment programs. Including housing transformation, healthy pathways (prevention), and youth innovation, which include youth-led initiatives and education programs. Funding up to $75,000. Apply February 17, 2025 – March 7, 2025 - https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/corporate-information/our-community/the-home-depot-canada-foundation/apply-for-funding.html



  • 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 THE UNITED STATES


757 Collab - 757 Accelerate offers its program for founders once a year. Founders get 9 weeks rent free access to a collaborative environment designed for success. Must have a disruptive product and be willing to travel to Norfolk VA for 2 weeks. Funding of $20,000.  Apply by 1/25/2025 - https://757collab.org/accelerate/#requirements


Access Ventures Fellowship - The Access Ventures Fellowship empowers young leaders (ages 22-30) who are dedicated to creating meaningful change in their communities and beyond. By providing resources, a supportive community, and a stipend, the fellowship enables these leaders to explore ideas that champion human flourishing, particularly for those facing systemic challenges. Fellows receive a $20,000 stipend over 12 months. Apply by 1/31/2025 - https://www.accessventures.org/fellowship


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


Amber Grants ($15 application fee) - Must be a woman-owned business or non-profit in the US or Canada. Three $10,000 Amber Grants are awarded each month. Three of the 36 monthly winners get an additional $25,000 Year-End Amber Grant. -https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/


Athene Black & Brown Business Summit Pitch Competition - All pitch competition applicants are invited to attend the Athene Black & Brown Business Summit on April 16-17 at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines, Iowa. On April 16th, 7 of the top applicants will be asked to present their pitch in front of judges and have a chance to win thousands of dollars. Business must be at least 51% minority owned. Apply by 1/31/25 - https://wdmchamber.org/bbbs-pitch-competition-application


Bank of America's Business Education Center for Entrepreneurs - Visit Bank of America's Small Business Education site for access to free webinars on Accessing Capital, Building Business Credit and more - https://go.bofa.com/BusinessEducationCenter


BMO Fellowship with Watson Institute - The BMO Fellowship is a fully-funded venture and leadership program designed to provide comprehensive support to highly promising, diverse environmental sustainability entrepreneurs and leaders. It offers award-winning training in entrepreneurship, sustainability, and leadership to help advance their environmental sustainability-focused ventures and actively contribute to solving their communities’ most pressing challenges. This Fellowship is specifically intended for individuals from historically underserved communities who possess lived experience with the challenges they are determined to address. Preference will be given to those in AZ, NM, CA and CO.  Apply by 2/2/25 - https://watson.is/bmo-fellowship/


CO.LAB Sustainable Mobility Accelerator - The CO.LAB Sustainable Mobility Accelerator powered by gener8tor supports up to twelve high-growth startups per year (2 cohorts of 6) working at the forefront of sustainable mobility. Relocation to Chattanooga, Tennessee for the duration of the program is required.  Funding of $20,000. Apply by 1/27/2025 - https://www.gener8tor.com/investment-accelerators/co-lab


Conscious Venture Lab Accelerator - 14-week accelerator program for early-stage, purpose-driven companies using innovation to break down barriers to access and create a more equitable society. Must be for-profit business located in located in Baltimore, New York City, Philadelphia or Washington, D.C.  Apply by 1/10/2025 - https://novellacenter.org/


Dairy Runway Program - (NY and New England) - The Dairy Runway Program welcomes food entrepreneurs and dairy innovators with early-stage ideas for value-added dairy products to participate in a free Cornell University-hosted entrepreneurship course focused on initial product concept and customer discovery. In addition to virtual classes, the program includes prototype training and business coaching. The program is open to any dairy entrepreneur or food innovator located in New York and the New England states with an idea for a new, value-added, cow milk-based dairy product. To be eligible, participants must agree to source cow milk produced in the state of New York in their proposed dairy product. Apply by 1/6/25 (info sessions in Nov and Dec) - https://dairyinnovation.org/dairy-runway-program/


EmpowerHer Grant - Boundless Futures Foundation - The Boundless Futures Foundation awards grants to U.S.-based female entrepreneurs and nonprofits that support female entrepreneurship. The EmpowHer Grant offers entrepreneurs up to $25,000, with funds provided as reimbursements for business expenses upon proof of payment.  EmpowHer Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis - https://boundlessfutures.org/our-impact/


First Interstate BancSystem Foundation grants - First Interstate Bank and the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation provide support in communities served by First Interstate Bank in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. Must be a nonprofit to apply. The majority of the Foundation's grants are focused on alleviating poverty by assisting low- and moderate-income individuals and communities. Funding minimum of $2500 -https://www.firstinterstatebank.com/company/commitment/grants.php


Future Founders Startup Bootcamp 2025 -  A free bootcamp designed to help 18- to 30-year-olds turn ideas, passions, and side hustles into functioning businesses. It is a three-month workshop and discussion series that instills a foundation of entrepreneurial skills in participants like you while you build your startup network. Startup Bootcamp culminates with Pitch Day, an opportunity to get your ideas in front of a new audience while you flex your pitching skills. Apply by 1/7/2025 - https://www.futurefounders.com/startup-bootcamp/


Greentown Labs ACCEL Program - Greentown Labs and Browning the Green Space (BGS) are requesting applications from innovative startups with founding and executive teams that are primarily made up of BIPOC leaders who are developing climate solutions for sectors including agriculture, buildings, electricity, manufacturing, resilience and adaptation, and transportation. Funding up to $25,000. Apply by 1/7/2025 - https://greentownlabs.com/accel/


HerRise Micro-Grant ($10 fee to apply) - Each month a $1000 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/


Home Depot Foundation's Veteran Housing Grants program - The Home Depot Foundation's Veteran Housing Grants program awards grants to nonprofit organizations for the new construction or rehabilitation of multifamily, permanent supportive housing for veterans throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico. The grants fund physical construction costs, and must comprise less than 50% of the total development cost of the project. While rural areas will be considered, priority will be given to large cities with populations of over 300,000 people. Specifically, there is a focus on projects in the following cities: Los Angeles and San Diego, CA; Denver, CO; Atlanta, GA; Tampa, FL; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; New York, NY; Houston, TX; and Seattle, WA. Funding up to $500,000. Deadlines of March 21, 2025 and July 3, 2025 - https://corporate.homedepot.com/page/veteran-housing-grants


Idea Cafe Small Business Grant - Idea Cafe, an online resource center for women-owned businesses, has been awarding Idea Cafe Small Business Grants of $1,000 to women entrepreneurs who either own a business currently or want to start their own business. Applications are now being taken for women who would like to apply for the grant money. (no fee but must sign up to be part of Idea Cafe) - https://www.businessownersideacafe.com/business_grants/index.php


Josephine Collective - The Josephine Collective looks at deals on a rolling basis, and founders can apply to be considered at any time. Goal is to have the entire process take no more than 3 weeks from presentation to wire. They invest anywhere from $10K to $100K depending on the Collective’s interest.  JC prefers early-stage tech-enabled businesses.  Companies must be for-profit, US-domiciled, and have an expectation of becoming large-scale businesses.  "Lifestyle" businesses, single location businesses with no current plans to scale, and non-profits will not be considered. - https://joinjosephine.com/


Looking Out Foundation - Grants to organizations are made to tax-exempt public charities under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Program interests include, but are not limited to: disadvantaged youth, public health, women, the environment, the arts, the hungry and the homeless. Funding up to $5000. Apply by 2/1/2025 - https://www.lookingoutfoundation.org/grant_applications


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/


Mona-Kiva Loan Opportunity for Small Business - Mona and Kiva U.S. have partnered to distribute $1 million of loan funding to 100 small businesses in the form of 0% interest, $0 fee, highly accessible loans $1,000 to $15,000 in size. All U.S. small businesses are eligible. Immigrant, refugee, and first-generation entrepreneurs are especially encouraged to apply.- https://www.mona-ventures.com/mona-capital


MSP Equity Accelerator sponsored by Allianz - The MSP Equity Accelerator sponsored by Allianz invests in high-growth startups founded by Black, Brown and Women entrepreneurs. For each cohort, $100K is invested in each of five startups who receive a concierge experience during our 12-week accelerator program. Founders must be willing to travel to Minnesota for In-Person Components of the program. Apply by 4/25/2025 - https://www.gener8tor.com/investment-accelerators/msp-equity-accelerator


Next 1B program (by McKinsey) - The Next 1B program from McKinsey is designed to support Black-owned brands in the United States. Eligible businesses are typically more than one year in maturity with anywhere from $250k-$5M in annual revenue, and sells consumer products - https://www.mckinsey.com/bem/overview/next-1b


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/


NSF Seed Fund - NSF helps startups navigate the earliest stages of technology translation, investing roughly $200 million annually in approximately 400 startups. Each startup can receive up to $2 million to support translational research and development. From advanced manufacturing to artificial intelligence to biological technologies to environmental technologies, they fund nearly all areas of technology. -  https://seedfund.nsf.gov/


Retail Readiness Training Program with WalMart and Watson Institute - The Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program is a competitive 16-week leadership and venture development program designed to support 25 underserved retail entrepreneurs who transform agricultural inputs into higher-value products or work directly in agriculture. Founders receive essential training, a curated list of retail readiness certifications and the financial stipend to pursue those certifications, mentorship, and access to a robust network and community. The program also offers long-term, sustainable alumni support to help entrepreneurs become retail-ready, scale their ventures, create jobs, and positively impact their communities.  Apply by 2/9/2025 - https://watson.is/retail-readiness-entrepreneurship-training-program/#new_tab


Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Program - In partnership with Sage Foundation, each year, the program will support 12-13 early-stage and underrepresented startups based in the US through its Annual Core Cohort offering tailored mentoring, Sage’s product support, grants, and strategic training. Apply by 1/10/2025 - https://vilcap.com/programs/sage-impact-entrepreneurship-united-states


Service2CEO program - Service2CEO Is an entrepreneurship program for military-connected entrepreneurs. The program provides resources, networks of people committed to your success, and an actionable curriculum that accelerates your business to the next stage of development. - https://www.therosienetwork.org/service2ceo-program


Small Business Readiness for Resiliency grant - Developed in partnership with founding sponsor FedEx, the Small Business Readiness for Resiliency Program (R4R) is a multi-year initiative to empower small business owners to proactively mitigate the risks posed by disasters. Funding of $5,000 -https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/solutions/disaster-response-and-resiliency/small-business-readiness-for-resiliency



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Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program - Targeted to small certified suppliers in California, Georgia, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, the Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program is designed to engage diverse suppliers in educational funding readiness training and funder matching to support capacity building. Funding for $5,000 - https://foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/small-certified-supplier-innovative-finance-program/


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.  Applicants should have at least $500 in recurring sales over the past 3 months and total household income must fall below 750% Federal Poverty Guidelines.  If you are interested in being considered as a “client” for free services, you can fill out this form https://partner.startsmallthinkbig.org/bofainstitute (check toggle on side for English/Spanish).  They also offer free webinars (in Eng and Span) with upcoming events listed here - https://www.startsmallthinkbig.org/events-for-small-businesses


TD Charitable Foundation Grants - The TD Charitable Foundation’s Capacity Building Fund provides grants to nonprofit organizations in TD Bank’s U.S. market areas for training, talent, tools, and tactics to further help their programs succeed. The Fund includes two opportunities: Capacity Building Grants provide funding to help strengthen and increase the impact of organizations on the communities they serve. These grants support work around three key issues: tactics, talent, and tools. The Nonprofit Training Resource Fund supports specific trainings that increase the capacities and skill sets of organizations’ employees. For both opportunities, support is primarily provided for programs aligned to one of TD’s corporate citizenship priorities: better health, connected communities, financial security, and a vibrant planet. Applicants must have annual operating budgets of $2 million or less and serve low- to moderate-income communities and diverse or historically underserved communities. Eligible areas are CT, DE, DC, FL, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VA, and VT. Funding up to $150,000. Apply by May 30, 2025 - https://www.td.com/us/en/about-us/communities/ready-commitment/funding-opportunities/non-profit


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


U.S. Venture/Schmidt Family Foundation Grant - The Program Grants will be awarded from the U.S. Venture/Schmidt Family Foundation (USV/SFF) to help the disadvantaged, improve the quality of people’s lives, and strengthen our communities. The Foundation will consider a broad range of requests including specific program needs, capital or general operating support. A charitable organization will typically receive no more than one program grant per calendar year. Apply quarterly (1/25/25, 4/25/25, 7/25/25, 10/24/25) - https://www.usventure.com/giving-back/us-venture-schmidt-family-foundation/program-grants/


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 In Tech Accelerator - The US Women in Tech Accelerator is designed to tackle the funding inequities women-identifying entrepreneurs face by unlocking early-stage financial and social capital to improve economic mobility and equitable access to essential services for women, families, and historically marginalized and overlooked communities across the United States. Apply by 1/31/2025 - https://vilcap.com/programs/women-in-tech-accelerator-us


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.



 

This post was created by Allecia Robinson - Entrepreneur and owner at AR Desire Creations.

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