7 Places Etsy Sellers Can Apply for a Small Business Grant in 2020

While researching the various places to apply for a small business grant, we noticed that most entry deadlines were December 2019. Darn! But that’s okay, there are still plenty of foundations offering business grants and their deadlines range from February 21st – December 2020. And as you’ll see, these foundations are offering a hefty amount of money that could make a huge difference for your small business!

But first, how do business grants work? Put simply, a grant is a “small” amount of money given to you with the goal of furthering your business growth. The best part about grants is that you don’t have to pay them back! It really is just money that you can invest right into your business wherever it’s needed (unless it’s specified in the rules that you have to spend the money in a certain way). Every foundation that offers grants is different in their requirements. Some require you to do something as simple as write an essay, while others may require you to participate in an extensive edicational program or competition. Be sure to read how each program works before applying or you could find yourself having to fly to another state to give a presentation.

Here are 7 foundations offering small business grants in 2020:

1. Girlboss Foundation grant for $15,000

The Girlboss Foundation is a semi-annual grant awarded to female entrepreneurs pursuing creative endeavors. Each grant beneficiary will receive $15,000 in project funding, plus exposure through the Girlboss platform and community. The winner will also receive two tickets to the upcoming Girlboss Rally.

• Due date: February 21, 2020
• Winner announced: April 6, 2020
• Win amount: $15,000
• Eligibility: Exclusive to female business owners in the worlds of design, fashion, music, and the arts. 
• APPLY HERE

2. Amber Grant for $25,000

The Amber Grants began in 1998 and was launched by WomensNet to honor the memory of a young woman, Amber Wigdahl, who died at the age of 19 – unable to fulfill her entrepreneurial dreams.

• Due date: February 29, 2020
• Winner announced: Not specified
• Win amount: $4,000 – $25,000
• Eligibility: Exclusive to female business owners
• APPLY HERE

3. FedEx small business grant for $50,000

The FedEx contest offers grants and services to ten US-based small businesses, distributing a collective prize pool of $220,500—the largest sum since the contest was established in 2012.  In addition to the grants, winners will also receive an additional dollar amount in credit to use towards FedEx Office and business services to help run their businesses, as well as packages designed to help them with website optimization, design thinking, social media, and print expertise.

• Due date: March 2, 2020
• Winner announced: May 4, 2020
• Win amount: $15,000 – $50,000
• Number of winners: 12
• Eligibility: Exclusive to US-based business owners
• APPLY HERE

4. National Association for the Self-Employed $4,000 grant

Since 2006, the NASE has awarded nearly $1,000,000 to it’s members through the Growth Grants® program. Grants can be used for marketing, advertising, hiring employees, expanding facilities and other specific business needs.

• Due date: Not specified
• Winner announced: Not specified
• Win amount: $4,000
• Number of winners: Not specified
• Eligibility: Exclusive to members who have been with NASE for at least 3 months
• APPLY HERE

5. InnpovativeHER Challenge for $70,000

The InnovateHER Challenge offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to launch innovative products and services that affect the lives of women and families. The finalists have to present their products and services to an expert jury and compete for cash prizes of up to $70,000.

• Due date: May 22, 2020
• Winner announced: Not specified
• Win amount: $10,000 – $70,000
• Number of winners: 3
• Eligibility: Exclusive to femail business owners in the US
• APPLY HERE

6. Women’s Founders Network fast pitch competition for $70,000

Since 2013, the Fast Pitch competition has helped early-stage women-led businesses craft their stories, messages, monetization plans, legal structure and more. This individualized attention allows these women entrepreneurs to become pitch-ready in a way that makes their business that much more appealing to Angel and VC funding. 

• Due date: May 31, 2020
• Winner announced: Not specified
• Win amount: $10,000 – $70,000
• Number of winners: 10
• Eligibility: Exclusive to female business owners who have raised less than $1,000,000 for their business
• APPLY HERE

7. Halstead jewelry designer grant for $7,500

Halstead is proud to sponsor this jewelry grant award for emerging designers in the United States. The award recognizes one new jewelry designer each year for excellence in design and business planning.

• Due date: August 01, 2020
• Winner announced: Not specified
• Win amount: $7,500
• Eligibility: Exclusive to jewelry designers
• APPLY HERE