List of small business resources and grants for October 2024
Skip small business grant platform offers $10K grant
Skip, a platform for small business grants and other funding opportunities, itself offers a $10,000 grant to small-business owners regardless of size of stage of their business. The grant program's latest round has a deadline of Oct. 4, 2024 to apply. The caveat? You must be a member of the platform.
$100K "Imagination Fund" to support creators with grants
Playbook, a project management software and storage system for creators, has launched a $100,000 fund to support artists, illustrators, photographers and other creatives with interesting ideas.
The top 50 ideas with the most creativity and community impact will earn grants of $1,000 to $10,000. Winners will join a 30-day cohort to bring their projects to life.
$5,000 grant for business education
The Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship Program aims to provide 50 women entrepreneurs with a yearlong series of workshops, mentoring and financial support. That includes a $5,000 grant and access to 0% interest loans through funding platform Kiva.
Women who hold a majority stake in their for-profit business and are 21 years or older are eligible to apply.
Applications close on Nov. 1, 2024, with the fellowship beginning in 2025.
Techstars startup accelerator offers $120K and mentoring
Early-stage startups can submit their pitch for a chance to join the Techstars accelerator. With local programs around the world, the three-month accelerator offers the $400,000 cash equivalent of hosting, accounting and legal support, along with a $120,000 investment in the business.
$10,000 grants from the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund
Small-business owners who have been hit by a natural disaster are eligible for a $10,000 grant made possible by a partnership between DoorDash and small-business platform Hello Alice.
To be eligible, a business must operate in the restaurant space and have a brick-and-mortar location, three or fewer total locations, $3 million or less in revenue per location, and fewer than 50 employees per location.
Businesses also must be experiencing hardship because of a state or federally declared natural disaster.
Applications close Dec. 2, 2024. Recipients will be announced in April 2025.
Grants for seed stage products with big potential
The National Science Foundation’s America’s Seed Fund provides millions in grant funding to small businesses and startups with big ideas. Applicants submit project pitches any time during the year, and if invited to submit a proposal, could end up getting funded. The grant program gives out roughly $200 million per year to eligible businesses.
Grants for self-employed workers
The National Association for the Self-Employed has its own $4,000 growth grant that it offers on a rolling basis. The catch? You have to be a member. The group has awarded nearly $1M in grants to members since 2006.
Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant
Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others may apply.
Use: Strategic business planning to expand or diversify farms or support transition of ownership.Funds: $500,000 in funding is available. Grants shall not exceed $7,500.
Application Deadline: Applications will be received until funds are exhausted.
More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin
Conservation and Natural Resources: ATV and Snowmobile Program
Who May Apply: Municipalities, nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
Use: Planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation, or equipment purchase for ATV and/or snowmobile trails and facilities, ATV and/or snowmobile educational programs.Funds: Funding comes from the ATV Management Restricted Account and the Snowmobile Management Restricted Account as authorized by Act 97 of 2016. There is no match requirement for this funding; however, applications that provide match funding will be given additional consideration.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2024
More information: DCNR Website
Business owners that sign up for the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready online community will be eligible to apply for grants throughout the year. Here's how it works: Business owners can sign up for the free online resource, which aims to provide technical assistance, mentoring and other resources to underserved small businesses, and complete either courses, coaching or participation in community events to be eligible. The company provides up to $1M in grant funding a year.
Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES
Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations.
Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania.Funds: $400 million in funding is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis
More information: DCED Website
Department of Agriculture: Agriculture Innovation Grant Program
Who May Apply: Eligible applicants include a person who grows an agricultural commodity and who has anticipated sales greater than $2,000 per year; a person who processes an agricultural commodity and has anticipated sales greater than $10,000 per year; a person who provides technical assistance or services to farmers for conservation, engineering, veterinary care, animal disease management, farm management, agricultural commodity production, nutrient management or similar services; or a person or cooperative association that utilizes agricultural commodities to create products or energy.
Use: To promote and support agricultural innovation to ensure the competitiveness, resiliency, environmental stewardship, and vitality of farms, agribusinesses and agricultural support services in this Commonwealth.Funds: There are three tiers of grants to be awarded: innovation planning project grants, on-site project grant, regional impact project grants. Please visit the website for specific details of each tier.
Application Deadline: November 15, 2024
More information: PDA Website