FUNDING & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
GENERAL
Change Agent Fellowship by Black Girl Ventures - 9-month leadership skills development program created specifically to expand the capacity of early-stage entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders to strengthen the ecosystems of Black/Brown women founders. Stipend of $10,000. Apply by 2/15/22. Learn more here.
Fearless Fund - Women of Color Grant Program - 150 deserving small businesses will be awarded $10,000- $20,000. Must be for-profit business based in US and revenue generating. Applications close 2/9/22. Learn more here.
GoFundMe Small Business Relief Initiative - GoFundMe will issue $500 matching grants to qualifying businesses that raise at least $500 on GoFundMe. Learn more here.
INDUSTRY SPECIFIC
Professional Beauty Association COVID Relief Fund - Fund will provide $500 to licensed beauty professionals who are unable to work due to COVID-19. Available for professionals in the US and Canada. Applications are reviewed weekly. Learn more here.
Cleantech Open - Do you have an idea that has the potential to solve an environmental or energy challenge? Apply to the 2022 accelerator to gain access to a full business development program, that includes expert mentors, investor introductions, industry connections, and a chance to compete regionally and nationally for cash prizes and in-kind services to launch your venture. $50,000+ in funding. Applications due 2/28/22. Learn more here.
REGION SPECIFIC - UNITED STATES
California
Paid Family Leave Small Business Grant – Grant will provide to California’s small businesses payments between $1,000 - $2,000 for each employee who is utilizing the PFL Program, to help offset the costs involved with training other employees to cover the duties of this individual on PFL leave. Applications due 2/8/22. Learn more here.
Escondido Community Foundation Grant - Not for profits need to submit a letter of Intent (LOI) as the first step in a two-step application process, which will facilitate the allocation of funding for Escondido-centered projects. Grants are up to $35,000. Applications due by 1/24/22. Learn more here.
Connecticut
Bethel, CT - Bethel small businesses that employ 25 or fewer employees and that have been adversely impacted by the COVID pandemic can apply for $500. Applications due by 2/1/22. Learn more here.
Equity Match Grant Program – Business must be woman-owned and in the state of CT. Grants range from $2500 to $10,000. Application deadline is 2/13/2022. Learn more here.
Georgia
Aiken Business Coalition Entrepreneurship Program – Loan, grant and training program focused on helping small business owners start up and grow. Participants will go through a four week training period with an additional six weeks of coaching from successful small business owners in Aiken. For more information contact: Stuart Bedenbaugh, City Manager City of Aiken, sbedenbaugh@cityofaikensc.gov
The City of Columbus ARP-Business Grant Program will assist small businesses in Columbus that have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants are available for small businesses, those in the hospitality industry and non-profits. Grants are available up to $40,000. Learn more here.
Illinois
Founders First Chicago Small Business Grants - Grant funding for minority entrepreneurs in the Chicago area - businesses must serve B2B sectors, have between 2 and 20 employees, and revenues between $100,000 and $3 million. Applications due 2/4/22. Learn more here.
Kendall County - Assistance to small businesses located in Kendall County - small businesses may be granted up to a maximum of $25,000. In order to qualify, your small business must be currently operating and have operated in both 2019 and 2020. Applications due 2/23/22. Learn more here.
Indiana
Elkhart - The Town of Elkhart just opened a new round of grant funding to support local businesses. Businesses that were forced to close or faced other hardships are encouraged to apply via the city’s website. Grants up to $25,000. Apply by 1/31/22. Learn more here.
Indiana Technical Assistance Program - Statewide initiative that connects small businesses with professional assistance. Businesses can receive up to $15,000 in professional services to complete growth and improvement projects that require specialized assistance or technical expertise. Application deadline 2/20/22. Learn more here.
Iowa
Iowa City is offering matching grants to small businesses. Companies with employees may apply for up to $5,000. And those without can qualify for up to $2,000. Priority is given to entrepreneurs who live within city limits, and at least half of recipients must be women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, or service-disabled veterans. Applications due by 2/4/22. Learn more here.
Maryland
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. Learn more here.
Massachusetts
Fall River - Small businesses operating in Fall River who incurred interruption and loss from COVID-19 can apply from $2000 to $5000 in grants. Learn more here.
New York
Small Business Recovery Grant Program was created to provide flexible grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, micro-businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations in the State of New York who have experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000. Learn more here.
North Carolina
Cumberland County - For-profit businesses operating within Cumberland County (outside the City of Fayetteville) employing up to ten (10) employees may apply for grants from $1000 to $10,000 on a first come, first served basis. Learn more here.
Oregon
Beaverton - Business must be located within the Beaverton city limits and have an active Beaverton business license. The business must be a storefront business that serves customers and must have 25 or less full-time employees (or part-time equivalent). Grants are from $2000 to $10,000. Application deadline is 2/4/22. Learn more here.
South Carolina
Abbeville - If you’re a small business within the City of Abbeville, you qualify. Grants require a 25% match from applicant. Grants are up to $15,000. Applications due 2/28/22. Learn more here.
Richland County - Businesses in Richland County that have 50 or fewer employees and can demonstrate revenue loss because of COVID-19 can qualify for grants up to $15,000 on a first come, first served basis. Learn more here.
Texas
AdvanceHER Grant Program - Texas Woman’s University’s Center for Women Entrepreneurs (CWE) will be accepting submissions for its women’s AdvanceHER Grant Program on Friday, Feb. 4. Ten grants, each worth $25,000, will be awarded to women entrepreneurs throughout Texas that have been in business for at least two or more years and have 3-20 employees. Preference will be given to businesses focused on information technology, life sciences, clean energy and advanced manufacturing. Learn more here.
Virginia
New River Valley Small Business Relief Program - Qualified businesses in Giles County may receive up to $15,000 to make up for pandemic-related struggles. Applications due by 1/28/22. Learn more here.
Virginia Beach Small Business Facade Improvements - The grant money must be used to make visible improvements to the outside of the business, ranging from new signs, to outdoor cafes, to landscape improvements, to new paved parking for vehicles. Up to $10,000. First come, first served. Learn more here.
Washington State
Small Business Flex Fund - For businesses in Washington State - *loans* for up to $150,000 are available for profits and not-for-profits. Loans have 3% – 4% interest rates, no fees & interest-only payments for the first year. 60-month loan terms. Learn more here.
Thurston County - Thurston County businesses can apply for up to $10,000 based on pandemic-related need. However, priority will be given to small operations and minority-owned businesses. Applications are available now. Funding is awarded on a first-come first-served basis. Learn more here.