Business Resource Library | DreamSpring

August and September 2024 Business Resource Round-Up

Written by DreamSpring | August 12, 2024
Each month, we gather the best in small business resources and grant opportunities that support entrepreneurs.
 

York County: BLOOM Small Business Grant Program

The 2024 BLOOM Grant Program for Small Businesses in York County, PA, will award grants up to $1,500 to small businesses owned and operated in the County of York for projects that will help them improve productivity, expand their services, or grow to the next level. Apply by Aug. 12.

 

Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship

Must be a women-owned or -led business that is a social enterprise intentional about supporting women’s economic empowerment, climate resilience, or the intersection of both, and have at least $20,000 in income. Apply by Aug. 15.

 

Amigas In Business Pitch Competition

Entrepreneurs with at least one year in business can apply to become one of three finalists who will present their pitch during the Amigas in Business Live event on Oct. 9, 2024, for a chance to win up to $50,000. Apply by Aug. 15.

 

Zendesk Foundation Tech for Good Impact Grant

The Zendesk Impact Awards are open to registered nonprofit organizations that would like to use Zendesk software to serve their beneficiary communities and help organizations scale their service response, with grants up to $50,000. Apply by Aug. 15.

 

 

FEATURED RESOURCE

BNY Pro Bono Accelerator

Presented by BNY and the Taproot Foundation, the Accelerator is a one-day, sprint-style problem-solving session that matches your business to BNY experts in areas such as Finance, Technology, Marketing & Communications, Human Resources, and Business Strategy. Teams will align around a critical challenge or opportunity your business is facing. The virtual event will be held Wednesday, Oct. 23, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET. Businesses in Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, or the Chicago metro area are eligible to apply. Apply by Aug. 23.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Equitable Access Boost Camp 

Over 12 weeks, you’ll get access to expert-led sessions, education, mentorship, a peer support network, and more. 500 spots are available in this immersive accelerator. Apply by Aug. 16.

 

Houston: gBETA Accelerator

gBETA runs multiple times every year in cities across the United States. Up to five companies from a range of verticals are selected from a competitive applicant pool to participate in the free seven-week program. For this program, companies must be located in Houston, TX. Apply by Aug. 19.  

 

LG NOVA InnoFest Startup Pitch Competition 2024

LG NOVA is calling innovative startups to apply for the LG NOVA InnoFest Pitch Competition to create a positive impact on people and the planet. Focus areas include HealthTech, CleanTech, AI, and Life Sciences, with grants up to $150,000. Apply by Aug. 23.

Stitchcrew Future of Women at Work Grant 

Selected participants will receive a $10,000 non-dilutive grant and be invited to participate in an in-person retreat to meet other participants, capital allocators, and industry stakeholders. Businesses must be women-owned. Apply by Aug. 23.

 

Long Beach: Inclusive Business Navigators Program

The City of Long Beach, CA, is offering Microgrants through its Inclusive Business Navigators Program to support startups and micro-entrepreneurs with access to small amounts of capital, up to $5,000, to launch or grow their businesses. Apply by Aug. 26.

North Carolina: Idea Seed Grant  

Grants of $50,000 are available to early-stage companies headquartered and conducting a majority of corporate operations in North Carolina. Apply by Aug. 26.

 

Houston: Master Your Pitch - Elevate in 60 Seconds 

Presented by Team Vision X Chase, this free, in-person workshop focuses on honing your pitch skills to effectively present your business in 60 seconds. Held on Aug. 29 at Oak Cliff Community Center Branch in Dallas, TX, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. CT. Register before Aug. 29.

Entrepreneurs Access Network 

Applicants must be a Black or Latino CEO or founder of any privately held company that is more than two years old and 51% minority (Black/Latino) owned. The platform includes assessments, 1:1 coaching, customized curriculum, access to online tools, networking events, and promotional exposure. Apply by Aug. 30.

 

Charlotte: Beyond Open Business Grants

Diverse business owners (minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ) in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, NC, are eligible to apply for Beyond Open small business grants. There are three levels of grants based on your business stage and size, with grants up to $150,000 available. Apply by Aug. 30.

Texas: PeopleFund BIPOC Small Business Accelerator 

PeopleFund’s BIPOC Small Business Accelerator provides underserved entrepreneurs in Texas with the capital, education, and resources needed to support healthy business growth with grants of $5,000. Apply by Aug. 31.

 

High Five Grant for Moms 

Grants up to $10,000 are available exclusively for women caregivers with human children of all ages, including first-time expecting moms, stepmoms, and foster moms. You must verify business revenue in the past 12 months of at least $10,000 but no more than $500,000. Applications open Sept. 1 – 30. 

Texas: StartHER Grant  

Grants of $5,000 help women business owners undertake new and innovative projects. This grant is open to new or to-be-formed, 51% or more women-owned businesses with five or fewer employees. The owner must identify as female, be 18 or older, live in Texas, and be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. Applications open Sept. 3 – Oct. 4.

 

Waves of Change Grant

The Waves of Change Grant is an initiative to support women of color who have early-stage businesses. This service-based grant offers a range of business development services rather than direct cash. The program includes branding, website development, social media content planning, consulting, and more. Selected recipients also receive stipends to cover certain operational costs. Apply by Sept. 8.

Fast Break for Small Business  

Grants of $10,000 are available thanks to LegalZoom, the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League. The grant program is focused on reaching entrepreneurs of color, women, low- to moderate-income small business owners, immigrants, and others who have historically had limited access to financing for their business. Apply by Sept. 13. 

 

New York: Naturally Lewis Building Business Grant

Grants up to $50,000 for projects in Lewis County, NY, that build business. The project must show overall benefit to the community and promote economic development through growing business. Apply by Sept. 26. 

48 in 48 Website Build Event  

48 in 48 provides free websites to empower nonprofits. They recruit teams of talented designers, developers, project managers, and content writers to create amazing websites over just one weekend. Non-profits with less than $3M in revenue are welcome to apply. Register by Sept. 13. 

 

Future of Capitalism Tech Startup Pitch Competition 

The competition is on the lookout for tech that can transform how businesses operate – from customer experience, admin/management systems, financial processes, logistics, marketing, or anything else. The prize is $1,000,000. Apply by Sept. 30. 

Foot Locker Foundation Grants   

Foot Locker Foundation, Inc. and LISC are offering grants ranging from $25,000 – $100,000 to nonprofit organizations in 13 cities: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, Oakland, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. Apply by Sept. 30. 

 

Gucci North America Changemakers Impact Fund grant

The Gucci North America Changemakers Impact Fund awards $50,000 grants to community-based 501(c)(3) organizations across select Changemakers cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington, DC. Apply by Sept. 30. 

Secretsos Small Business Grant     

Grants of $2,500 are designed for business owners who are committed to evolving, leading with integrity, and inspiring change. $15 application fee. Apply by Sept. 30. 

 

FHL Bank Small Business Grants 

Eligible small businesses must have a business relationship with an FHLBank Chicago member who submits the grant application on their behalf. Funding may be awarded either as a single grant of $30,000 to one business or as two separate grants of $15,000 to two different businesses. Apply by Sept. 30. 

Oklahoma City: gBETA Accelerator     

This free, seven-week accelerator program provides individualized coaching, mentorship, and investor pitches for early-stage startups based in Oklahoma City. Apply by Sept. 30.