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 email is out a few days early before Cornell closes for the holiday weekend. There are also a few opportunities with 11/30 deadlines!
This email mentions over 75 grants, resources, and opportunities for both global and US-based businesses.
There are also over 100 opportunities in 35 US states which are kept updated at this link: https://bofainstitute.cornell.edu/more/repost-spreadsheet-with-funding-and-resource-links-for-2024/
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!
Happy Thanksgiving to those in the US who celebrate! I am certainly thankful to be able to share these opportunities with you and perhaps help a bit on your entrepreneurial journey
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
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/
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 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
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
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/
Future Skills Centre Grant - The Future Skills Centre (FSC) is dedicated to helping Canadians gain the skills they need to thrive in a changing labor market. FSC currently has two open calls for proposals addressing Canada’s emerging skills and labor challenges: The Skills Solutions call will fund projects that focus on solution design or advancing skills initiatives based on evidence of what has worked. Institutions based in Canada are eligible to apply, including nonprofit organizations, publicly funded post-secondary institutions, industry associations, professional associations, Indigenous organizations, municipalities or district social services administration boards, and for-profit organizations. Funding up to $500,000. Apply by 12/13/2024 - https://fsc-ccf.ca/skills-horizon/
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/
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/
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/
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
AICPA and CPA Startup Accelerator - The AICPA and CPA.com are accepting applications for their 2025 Startup Accelerator, designed to support innovative early-stage companies in the accounting and finance technology ecosystem. Funding of $25,000. Apply by 11/30/2024 - http://accelerator.cpa.com/
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
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 (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/
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
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. Nonprofits that support female entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, or financing can request up to $30,000 in grant funding through the Her Village Grant. EmpowHer Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis, while the deadline for the Her Village Grant is October 1, 2024. - https://boundlessfutures.org/our-impact/
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 December 13, 2024, 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
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/
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/
Legacy Grant - Whether you’re launching a new product or scaling operations, this $2,500 grant can give your business the boost it needs to get to that next level. Open to profits and non-profits. Apply by 12/10/2024 - https://thelegacygrant.com/
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
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/
Peerless 2025 pitch competition - Competition welcomes applications from startups at all stages, particularly those that have not raised more than $2MM, are US based and technology focused. Prize of $1,000,000. Apply by 12/6/2024 - https://tally.so/r/np7elB
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
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
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
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready - Small businesses can unlock the application for this round of grant funding by first registering on the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready portal and completing at least two courses, coaching or community events, in any combination between July 1, 2024 and December 13, 2024 at 11:59pm PT. Small businesses that complete the application will be eligible for consideration to receive a $10,000 grant. Apply by 12/13/24 - https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/
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
Workshop at Macys Vendor Accelerator - Must be a US based company with majority ownership by a woman and/or minority and have been in business for at least 2 years. Funding of $5,000. Apply by 11/30/2024 - https://www.theworkshopatmacys.com/application
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/
ZenBusiness Small Business Grants - The ZenBusiness 2024 Small Business Grant Program offers $5,000 to small businesses who form a legal business entity (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp). In order to qualify for this grant, you must have used their formation services in the last 3-6 months. Apply by 12/31/2024 - https://www.zenbusiness.com/gran
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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