Business owners should never hesitate to look in their own backyards for funding opportunities. Local and regional grants have the needs of small businesses in mind; after all, small businesses are the backbones of our communities.
Entrepreneurs should also consider looking for funding opportunities within their respective industries. Industry-specific grant programs will understand the purpose of your business in ways that general grant programs may not.
Poshmark Heart & Hustle Community Fund
If upselling is your hustle of choice and Poshmark is your favorite platform, submit an entry to the Poshmark Heart & Hustle Community Fund. The program runs every four months and provides financial support to Poshmark sellers who are dedicated to the idea of upselling. Grant recipients can be awarded up to $5,000. Interested in learning the eligibility requirements and want to apply? All the information can be found on the Heart & Hustle – Poshmark page.
Women Who Tech
Women Who Tech Grants Program provides funding to women-led tech startups. The grant and funding program is awarded to women who participate in the pitch coaching program. Grants include FemTech and Health Tech, Emerging Tech, Tech Grant and COVID-19 Tech Grant. The organization is gearing up for its 2022 grants program. Sign up for the organization’s waiting list for updates on when the grant program will run again.
The Business Recovery Grant – North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Revenue has two grant opportunities for small business owners. The Business Recovery Grant Program will award a one-time payment to a business located in North Carolina suffering at least 20 percent of a financial loss as a result of COVID-19. The following grants are available:
- A hospitality grant for businesses related to arts, entertainment, recreation, food service and accommodation (hotels);
- A reimbursement grant for businesses that do not meet eligibility requirements of the hospitality grant and also have not received any funding from programs such as Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), COVID-19 Job Retention Grant, and EDIL Advance.
The grant award is a percentage of the business’ financial loss or $500,000, whichever is less. In addition, NCDOR will decrease grant awards if the total exceeds the amount of funding as authorized by the Business Recovery Grant Program. Applications for the Business Recovery Grant Program are due on Jan. 31. Applications can be found here.
New Albany Small Business Grant Funding
Often, when we think of the pandemic, we think of businesses in large metropolitan areas. But small businesses in small towns were greatly affected, too. And in New Albany, Indiana, there is a grant to support small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Last year, the City Council of New Albany was able to support 43 businesses. And this year the second round of grants will be awarded up to $10,000. The funds can be used to cover working capital and must have less than 100 employees. The application can be accessed here. The deadline is Jan. 31.
