Category Archives: Small Business

IFundWomen Universal Grant Application

IFundWomen is a funding marketplace for women-owned businesses. Their mission is to close the funding gap for women, who have a harder time attracting investors.

By filling out the Universal Grant Application, businesses will be notified when there’s a match between them and a sponsored grant. They may also create a crowdfunding campaign on the platform.

Eligibility

Specific grants will have additional requirements, but to submit a Universal Grant Application, one:

  • May be any gender
  • Must be at least 18 years old (19 in Alabama and Nebraska, 21 in Mississippi)

Past Grants

IFundWomen works with many partners to sponsor grant opportunities. These have included:

  • BOTOX® Cosmetic Grant Program
  • Angel City Football Club’s Player 22 Small Business Grant Program
  • Caress Dreams Fund Grant Program
  • Johnnie Walker First Strides Grant Program

Crowdfunding

Business owners interested in creating a crowdfunding campaign should take their Crowdfunding eCourse to learn how to launch a successful campaign. Coaching is also available for those who sign up for a Coaching Plan.

American Dream Awards

Hello Alice

The American Dream Awards from Hello Alice celebrate small businesses in the United States who are living the modern American dream. Awards will be given in seven categories; businesses may apply for multiple categories.

Applications are due by April 30, 2024 at 6:00 PM ET. Winners will receive $1,000, media coverage, and access to a small business accelerator.

Eligibility

This award is open to all for-profit businesses, including sole proprietorships, in the United States.

Business owners may apply directly or be nominated by someone else. Additional nominations do not increase the chance of winning.

Award Categories

  • Big Dreamer – for businesses that have been in operation for three or fewer years and have shown they have the leadership and drive to achieve their goals
  • Community Hero – for businesses that are breaking down barriers to create jobs and build something meaningful
  • Inclusive Excellence – for businesses who have gone the extra mile to create an inclusive work environment
  • Innovator – for businesses who have developed novel approaches and changed the game for their industry
  • Legacy Builder – for businesses who have made the transition from family-owned to a broader ownership model while maintaining the values that helped them succeed
  • Resilience Rockstar – for businesses who have shown strength through adversity and the ability to adapt in the face of challenges
  • Sustainability Star – for creators of unique, eco-friendly products and services

Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund

DoorDash and Hello Alice have partnered for the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund which supports local restaurants in the United States and Puerto Rico that have suffered losses due to natural disasters.

Applications for $10,000 are due by December 29, 2023 at 6 PM ET. DoorDash may close the grant early or extend the due date at their sole discretion.

Eligibility

Applicant

Applicants must be:

  • The lead executive of an eligible business
  • A legal resident of the United States or Puerto Rico
  • At least 18 years old (19 in Alabama and Nebraska)

Business

This grant is open to restaurants which:

  • Are independently owned
  • Have been open for at least 6 months
  • Have no more than three physical locations
  • Have no more than 50 employees per location
  • Had a revenue of $3 million or less per location in 2022
  • Experienced a loss in revenue as a direct result of a state of emergency or federally-declared natural disaster in the last 12 months

Allowable Expenses

Only expenses incurred from a natural disaster which occurred 12 or fewer months ago and were not covered by insurance are eligible. Grant funds may be spent on

  • Mortgage payments, including principal and interest
  • Rent
  • Utilities
  • Operational costs
  • Maintenance
  • Supplies, including food and beverages to sell
  • Other expenses necessary to maintain operations

Review Criteria

Applications will be assessed for

  • Demonstrated need (40%)
  • Clarity and feasibility of plan for funds (40%)
  • Demonstrated commitment to the community (20%)

Wells Fargo Foundation

The Wells Fargo Foundation awards grants as part of their commitment to building a more sustainable and inclusive world. They fund projects in four priority areas: Financial Health, Housing Affordability, Small Business Growth, and Sustainability and Environmental Justice.

Grant Interest Forms are accepted on an ongoing basis. Only if your form is approved will you receive a code to submit a full application. A grant amount is not specified, but the Interest Form question “Select the budget amount for the proposed project” has the options:

  • $0-$50k
  • $101-$500k
  • $51-$100k
  • Over $500k

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • Nonprofits with a 501(c)3 designation
  • Government agencies
  • Native American Tribes
  • Public schools or school systems

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate fiscal and administrative stability.

Priority Areas

Financial Health

Applicants under this heading should be working to increase access to financial systems for racially and ethnically diverse and low to moderate income Americans. This access will allow them to reduce debt, grow their savings, and build wealth. Secondary categories under this area are:

  • Youth/Young Adult Financial Health
  • Adult Education Counseling, Coaching and Education
  • Asset Building
  • Financial Research and Policy Advocacy
  • Technical Assistance and Practitioner Training
  • Innovation of Products and Services

Housing Affordability

Projects under this heading should focus on making it possible for all Americans to have a safe place to call home. This includes promoting racial equity in housing and home ownership. Secondary categories under this area are:

  • Affordable Home Supply
  • Expand Homeownership Opportunities
  • Housing Stability
  • Transformation and Innovation

Small Business Growth

Applicants under this heading should provide support such as training, technical assistance, and capital to small business. Secondary categories under this area are:

  • Capital and Product Innovation
  • Technology
  • Sustainability
  • Policy, Research and Advocacy

Sustainability and Environmental Justice

Projects under this heading should be working toward a low carbon future through innovative clean technology, developing local climate resiliency, and promoting environmental justice. Secondary categories under this area are:

  • Sustainable Finance
  • Adaptation/Resilience
  • Measuremen

Stacy’s Rise Project

The Stacy’s Rise Project supports American women entrepreneurs in the consumer package industry. Approximately 10 grantees will receive:

  • $25,000 in unrestricted funds
  • 4 months of mentorship from 2 PepsiCo executives
  • A peer network with other women entrepreneurs
  • Feature on the Stacy’s brand platform
  • Spotlight on FoundedByHer

Applications are due by December 1, 2023 at 6 PM ET.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to women who are:

  • Residents of the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico
  • 18 years of age or older (19 in Alabama and Nebraska)
  • The owner of a consumer package goods* business (sole proprietors welcome)

Business

This grant is open to for-profit businesses that:

  • Are based in the United States
  • Have annual sales of $25,000 – $1 million
  • Are willing to participate in the mentorship program

*Consumer package goods are defined as products produced in bulks and sold in retail stores. Examples include drinks, chips, and cookies.

Review Criteria

All submissions will be reviewed based on:

  • Clarity and feasibility of plan and need for mentorship (30%)
  • Demonstrated understanding of product/market fit (40%)
  • Demonstrated commitment to community (30%)

Giving Joy Grant

Throughout her travels, International Development worker Joy Kolin realized the fundamental truth that women, no matter where in the world, can create positive change when given the means to do so. In 2018, she founded Giving Joy to empower those women and help them build a better life for themselves and their communities through entrepreneurship.

The Giving Joy Grant is a $250 – $500 microgrant to give women a leg up as they build or expand their business or organization. The current grant cycle will close on September 30th.

Eligibility

Applicant

Women aged 18 or older from anywhere in the world are eligible to apply.

Project

This grant is open to projects from all fields as long as they are legal. Funds may be used to start or expand a business, nonprofit, non-governmental organization, or other entity. The only stipulations are that the project focus on women, girls, and/or families and that it is beneficial for the community.

Grant funds may not spent

  • To purchase products
  • To purchase stock
  • On advertising
  • On marketing.

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions are scored on four criteria:

  1. Alignment with the mission of Giving Joy
  2. Innovative and clearly articulated project activities
  3. Effectiveness of grant fund use
  4. Clearly defined and quantifiable impact of the project

Application Process

After you submit your application, Giving Joy may request additional information or supporting materials. From these submissions, a shortlist of 5-10 projects will be created. If you are not contacted by Giving Joy, you have unfortunately not made it onto the shortlist.

Applicants who have been shortlisted may again be contacted for more information before the final recipients are chosen. Awards will go out in January 2024.

If you receive a Giving Joy Grant, you may not apply a second time.

Incfile’s Entrepreneur Grant

Incfile helps new entrepreneurs navigate the steps required to establish their business. They also provide support through their Entreprenur Grant.

Applications for the Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Grant and the Fresh Start Business Grant are due by September 30, 2023.

Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Grant

Eligibility

This grant is open to students who:

  • Are high school seniors or attending undergraduate, graduate, or trade school
  • Attend school in the United States
  • Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Are interested in starting a business

The Award

One awardee per grant cycle will receive $2,500 for educational expenses.

Application Requirements

All applications must include:

  • A sample business plan
  • A 90 – 120 second video about how entrepreneurship will impact the applicant’s life

Fresh Start Business Grant

Eligibility

This grant is open to individuals who are:

  • U.S. residents
  • 21 years of age or older
  • Planning to start a new business OR
  • Planning to significantly expand an existing business

The Award

One awardee per grant cycle will receive:

  • $2,500 for business startup costs
  • Incfile’s Gold Package for one year, a $385 value

Application Requirements

All applications must include:

  • A sample business plan
  • A 90 – 120 second video about how entrepreneurship will impact the applicant’s life

2023 Small Business Growth Fund – Round 2

Round 2 of the 2023 Small Business Growth Fund is now open. This grant is a partnership between Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network with funding from Progressive and Etsy. Unrestricted awards of $5,000 – $25,000 are available for small business owners in the United States.

Round 2 of funding will close on July 21, 2023 at 6:00 PM ET. Round 3 will open September 11 and close October 20. The number of grants awarded per round will vary based on the number of applications and need.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to applicants who are:

  • Legal residents of the United States, including Washington DC and Puerto Rico
  • At least 18 years old (19 in Alabama and Nebraska)
  • The lead executive of a small business that meets the below criteria

Business

  • Be a for profit business
  • Be located in the United States, including Washington DC and Puerto Rico
  • Have a gross annual revenue of less than $1 million in 2022
  • Have a commitment to their community
  • Have a clear vision for how grant funds will allow them to reach their next business goal

Review Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

  • Clarity and feasibility of plan for proposed use of funds (30%)
  • Need for funds (40%)
  • Commitment to community (30%)

The BOSS Network and Sage’s Invest in Progress Grant

The BOSS (Bringing Out Successful Sisters) Network and Sage established the Invest in Progress Grant in 2022 to help Black women overcome obstacles in business. This online community recognized that although Black women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs, they receive very little investment funding. To remedy this, BOSS awarded $350,000 in grants in that first year.

In 2023, they expect to award twenty-five $10,000 grants along with monthly membership for one year through BOSS Business University, marketing assistance, and general guidance. Applications are due by 6:00 PM ET on February 24th* through Hello Alice.

*The BOSS Network reserves the right to shorten or extend the application period for any reason.

Eligibility

Applicant

The BOSS Network describes their ideal applicant as, “a Black, woman-identifying founder in the first five years of your entrepreneurial journey.” She should also be purpose-driven, committed, and unwilling to let anything stand in her way. She must be:

  • Black
  • Woman-identifying
  • A legal resident of the United States, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
  • At least 18 years of age (19 in Alabama and Nebraska)
  • Lead executive of a qualifying small business
  • Willing to participate in a monthly virtual mentorship program

Business

Qualifying businesses must be:

  • For profit
  • Registered in the United States, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
  • Have at least one Black, woman-identifying founder
  • Be less than five years old
  • Have a documented need for funds

Evaluation

All applicants will be evaluated based on:

  • Founder experience and commitment (30%)
  • Product/market fit and plans for growth (40%)
  • Need and feasibility of plan for use of funds (30%)

Preference will be given to existing BOSS Network members, LGBTQ+ identifying applicants, applicants with disabilities, and those connected to the military.

Stipulations

  • Applicants may be asked to submit additional materials and/or participate in a brief interview.
  • Grantees are required to attend monthly workshops, quarterly trainings, and other events during the grant year.

FedEx Small Business Grant Contest

2022 marks the 10th anniversary of the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest. To celebrate, they will be awarding three Grand Prize winners and seven First Place winners.

Applications will be accepted February 10 – 28, 2022 via the grant website. The top 100 finalists will announced on March 22, 2022 and a ten day public voting period will begin. The winners will be announced May 4, 2022.

Prizes

Grand Prize

Three Grand Prize winners will receive

First Place

Seven First Place winners will receive

Additional Prizes

Among the ten winners, additional prizes will be awarded in the following categories

  • Young entrepreneur
  • Veteran-owned business
  • Healthcare industry
  • Minority-owned business
  • Sustainability focused business

Winners will receive another $10,000 and an additional $500 worth of print services.

Top 100

The Top 100 applicants will all receive access to

Eligibility

Applicant

The person submitting the application must be

  • A legal resident of the United States
  • At least 18 years old
  • Authorized to apply on behalf of the business

Business

The business must

  • Be located in the United States (any of the 50 states or the District of Columbia)
  • Have been in continuous operation for at least 6 months as of February 10, 2022
  • Have a valid FedEx shipping account number (if you don’t already have a FedEx account, you can create one)
  • Have shipping and printing needs
  • Have no more than 99 employees
  • Not be in competition with FedEx

Application

In addition to the usual information (business name, contact information, website, etc.) applicants must submit a high resolution image of their company logo. If they don’t have a logo, they may substitute a photo that represents the business.

Although not required, applicants may also submit up to three photos and a 2 minute video.

Evaluation

Reviewers will assess the entirety of an applicant’s brand including

  • Social media
  • How user friendly the website is
  • Reviews of the business
  • How well it aligns with the FedEx brand

Extra credit will be given to businesses who

  • Offer unique and creative products and/or services
  • Use environmentally sustainable business practices
  • Give back to their community