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Fall is upon us. Gone are the sweltering summer days. Fast approaching are the potentially panged nights of configuring 2024 strategies and doing the mental gymnastics to find the financial runway to get there. But the big secret herein — it doesn’t have to be that complicated.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already applied for grants in the past, leaving you a template for the future. But even if you haven’t applied for grants, now is a great time to polish your first draft and get out the door to some fantastic opportunities.
Review our curated selection of top grants and accelerator programs — topping almost $100,000 in financial opportunities — to apply to this month!
Please Note: Information & verbiage about grants was pulled directly from their respective websites and partner sites. Please reference each source for additional details.
Amazon Black Business Accelerator
Overview: In support of Amazon third-party sellers, Amazon has created an accelerator program with perks to support the Black businesses that make their marketplace move
Sponsor: Amazon
Award: $500 in Amazon credit and three-year Sponsored Enhanced Digital Certification, plus up to $3,000 in advertising credits and free imaging services
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility:
Certified Black-owned Amazon businesses with a Professional Seller Account
U.S. Based
Overview: The Black Women in Food Grant is made possible by support from Uber Eats, and EatOkra provides $100,000 in grants for Black women-owned food businesses on UberEats. Grants of $10,000 will be given to 10 food enterprises that effectively demonstrate how the funds will catalyze impactful growth.
Sponsor: Uber Eats, Eat Okra
Award: $10,000
Deadline: September 8, 2023
Eligibility:
Restaurants, food trucks, or other food-based businesses in the U.S.
51% Black-woman ownership
Must also be listed on Uber Eats
FearlessFund: Fearless Strivers Grant
Overview: Four lucky small businesses nationwide will be awarded $20,000 in grants and digital tools to help them grow their business online and mentorship so they can continue to bolster their business.
Sponsor: Mastercard
Award: $20,000
Deadline: September 30th, 2023
Eligibility:
Open to Black women who are legal U.S. residents (including DC)
Must be 18+ and the principal owner of a U.S.-based small business.
Overview: The Yva Jourdan Foundation, Inc., in partnership with HerSuiteSpot has provided microgrants to Women of Color entrepreneurs since 2017 to assist them in starting or growing a business.
Sponsor: The Yva Jourdan Foundation
Award: $1,000 micro-grant
Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility:
Businesses in the U.S. with 51% ownership by Women of Color
Industry exceptions apply
$10 fee to apply
Incfile Fresh Start Business Grant
Overview: Whether you’re starting over or starting from scratch, Incfile wants to be there to help your business succeed. One adult entrepreneur will receive $2,500 to put toward business startup costs and will also receive free formation services from Incfile.
Award: $2,500
Deadline: September 30th
Eligibility:
Must be 21 years or older
Must be a U.S. resident
Must be planning to start a new business or grow an existing business in a significant way
Overview: Mompreneurs — this grant is for you! The Kitty Fund makes small micro-investments in Moms running employer-based small businesses with two or more employees.
Award: $1,000 grants
Deadline: Pre-registration for 2024 awards is open, March 2024
Eligibility:
U.S.-based business owners, CEOs, or presidents who are mothers
Businesses must be founded by a mother
Cannot exceed more than $5 million in annual revenue
Must have 2–50 employees
National Black MBA Association
Overview: The National Black MBA Association launched its Scale-Up Pitch Challenge to help create and support wealth-building opportunities for its members.
Award: $50,000 Grand Prize
Deadline: September 29th
Eligibility:
Applicants must be a member of the NBMBAA
At least half of the company must be black-owned
Applicants must be 18 or over and a US resident
Business ideas pitched must be in the early stages of development.
Overview: Sephora Accelerate is a brand incubation program dedicated to building a community of innovative, inspirational brand founders in beauty. Founders will embark on a six-month journey to gain the necessary skills to build and sustain a successful business through consistent, cohesive, and ongoing support backed by digital and in-person resources with content and curriculum directly correlated to helping founders succeed at Sephora.
Sponsor: Sephora
Award: Non-monetary
Deadline: September 6, 2023
Overview: The CWE’s StartHER Grant Program helps women business owners — current or aspiring — to undertake new and innovative projects.
Sponsor: Texas Woman’s University’s Center for Women Entrepreneurs
Award: $5,000
Deadline: Applications open on September 22, 2023
Eligibility:
Business owners (or aspiring business owners)
Companies with five employees or fewer
At least 51% owned by one or more women
Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, among other requirements.