April and May 2025 Business Resource Round-Up

RestorHER Micro-Grant

A quarterly grant offering up to $500 to support women business owners in building sustainable, purpose-driven businesses while prioritizing their well-being. Applications open April 1.

Business Cashflow Management Virtual Workshop

Join Bank of America’s free webinar on April 2 at 11 a.m. MT to gain essential skills in managing cash flow for your business. Learn about key cash flow components, financial statements, and strategies to improve financial stability. Register for the free April 2 webinar.

FEATURED RESOURCE

DreamSpring Loan Application Essentials

Getting ready to apply for a DreamSpring loan? Check out our Application Readiness page to compare loan product options, review required documents, and prepare ahead of time. Visit our Application Readiness page.

Women Founders Network Pitch Competition

Grants up to $25,000 are available for women-led businesses with two tracks: tech/tech-enabled and consumer/consumer packaged goods/non-tech. Applicants must attend and pitch in person at the Fast Pitch Event on Oct. 28 at UCLA. Applications are open April 1 – May 31.

FEATURED EVENT

Building Financial Resiliency Workshop

Join BMO and DreamSpring for a free in-person workshop exploring practical strategies to help small business owners build a strong financial foundation, prepare for the unexpected, and create a roadmap for sustainable growth. Learn to plan for long-term success and network with other entrepreneurs over coffee and pastries on April 2 at 10 a.m. at DreamSpring Headquarters in Albuquerque, NM (2000 Zearing Ave. NW, 87104). Register for the free April 2 workshop.

Florida: Spark Tank Pitch Competition

In this fast-paced pitch competition, entrepreneurs in Hollywood, FL, present their innovative business ideas in three minutes to a panel of judges, competing for cash prizes up to $5,000. Apply by April 4.

Illinois: OE3 Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program

Grants ranging from $10,000 to $245,000 are available to very small businesses and small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals for capital improvement and infrastructure projects. Priority is given to businesses in Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Investment Areas. Must be pre-qualified. Apply by April 7.

Michigan: Match on Main Grants 

Grants of up to $25,000 are available for businesses located in Redevelopment Ready Communities and Michigan Main Street districts.
Apply by April 7.

Purchasing Commercial Real Estate Virtual Workshop 

Join Bank of America's webinar on April 9, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. MT, to explore key considerations for purchasing commercial real estate. This session will guide you through critical concepts and provide a step-by-step overview of the commercial real estate roadmap. Register for the free April 9 webinar.

Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator

This accelerator supports social enterprises focused on women’s economic empowerment, climate resilience, or both. Eligible businesses must have at least $50,000 in income. The cohort begins in July 2025. Apply by April 13.

Arizona: Rep Your Brand Market Small Business Owners Celebration

Held at the BMO Tower Rooftop in Phoenix, AZ, this event features a diverse array of local vendors and entrepreneurs, highlighting the hard work, creativity, and passion that go into running a small business. Enjoy live music and connect with the makers and dreamers who fuel our local economy from noon to 4 p.m. Free to attend, or register your business as a vendor. Register as a vendor for the April 12 event.

Leveraging Certifications to Secure Large Contracts Virtual Workshop

Join BMO's virtual workshop series to gain financial insights and business management strategies. Held on April 15, 2 – 3 p.m. CST, this session explores how certifications can help you win big contracts and grow your business. Register for the free April 15 webinar.

FEATURED EVENT

Maker MasterMind: The Business of Fine Art with Rebecca White

Join DreamSpring for a conversation with Rebecca White, an interdisciplinary artist and entrepreneur, on April 17 at 9 a.m. MT as part of our free Maker MasterMind series. Learn how Rebecca's work engages audiences in new and thought-provoking ways while sustaining her as a professional artist. Register for the free April 17 webinar.

MIT Solve Global Learning Challenge Accelerator

This challenge offers $10,000 for solutions that expand access to quality education in crisis-affected areas, improve learning outcomes for individuals with disabilities, or equip learners with critical skills like problem-solving and AI literacy. Apply by April 17.

J.M.K. Innovation Prize

This prize awards up to $150,000 to bold problem-solvers leading early-stage projects in heritage conservation, the environment, and social justice. Open to individuals or teams from nonprofit or mission-driven for-profit organizations in the U.S. Apply by April 25.

JMSP Equity Accelerator

Sponsored by Allianz, this program invests $100,000 in each of five high-growth startups founded by Black, Brown, and Women entrepreneurs. Participants receive a concierge experience in a 12-week accelerator and must travel to Minnesota for in-person components. Apply by April 25.

North Carolina: City of Raleigh's Building Up-Fit Grant

This grant supports small business owners in activating vacant or underutilized commercial spaces in Raleigh, NC, creating new business opportunities and jobs. It provides a 1:1 match reimbursement of up to $25,000, depending on qualified expenses. Apply by April 27.

Foundation for Financial Planning (FFP) Grant

FFP provides grants up to $5,000 to community-based and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to support programs that connect volunteer financial planners with individuals and families in need. Apply by May 1.

Black Ambition Prize

Black Ambition supports entrepreneurs from backgrounds historically overlooked by venture capital. Eligible teams must include at least one founder from an underrepresented background. Founders from any background traditionally overlooked in Venture Capitalist funding may apply. Grants of up to $100,000 are available. Apply by May 2.

Kansas and Missouri: Ready! Set! Score! Small Business Readiness Weekend

Held in Kansas City (KS and MO) on May 9 and 10, this multi-city, multi-day event prepares small businesses to thrive during major tourism events in the region. Connect with business support organizations through interactive sessions and hear from local officials, tourism committees, and industry experts on key topics, including capital readiness, marketing strategies, and preparing for international customers. Cost is $20 per business owner; scholarships are available. Register for the May 9 and 10 event.

FEATURED EVENT

Maker MasterMind: The Business of Beauty with Sushy

Join DreamSpring in conversation with Sushy, founder of SushyGlowCosmetics. On May 15, 12 – 12:45 p.m. CST, learn how Sushy has carved out a niche in the beauty market with her one-of-a-kind makeup brand as part of our free Maker MasterMind series. Register for the free May 15 webinar.

Illinois: Jo Daviess County Small Business Grant

Small-business retailers, manufacturers, service providers, wholesalers, and those in the hospitality industry, farming, and food processing in Jo Daviess County are eligible for this grant. Apply by May 30.

California: Paid Family Leave Grant 

Small businesses in California with up to 100 employees, where at least one employee is utilizing California’s Paid Family Leave program (on or after June 1, 2024), can apply for grants up to $2,000 per employee to offset the increased costs associated with employee leave. Apply by May 31, 2026.

Mona-Kiva Loan Opportunity for Small Business

Mona and Kiva U.S. have partnered to offer $1 million in loan funding to 100 small businesses in the form of 0% interest, $0 fee, highly accessible loans ranging from $1,000 to $15,000. All U.S. small businesses are eligible, with a focus on immigrant, refugee, and first-generation entrepreneurs. Apply anytime.

Service2CEO program 

Service2CEO Is an entrepreneurship program for military-connected entrepreneurs. The program provides resources, networks of people committed to your success, and an actionable curriculum that accelerates your business to the next stage of development. Apply anytime.

Small Business Readiness for Resiliency Grant

Developed in partnership with founding sponsor FedEx, the Small Business Readiness for Resiliency Program (R4R) is a multi-year initiative to empower small business owners to proactively mitigate the risks posed by disasters with grants up to $5,000. Apply anytime.