Curated by Cynthia Nevels Start.Pivot.Grow.
Senior Reporter, The Playbook, The Business Journals' Andy Medici shared, "Businesses owners are more optimistic about 2024 as recession worries fade and revenues grow, but many are still searching for business grants to support their growth efforts."
A Morning Consult poll of small and medium-sized businesses found 37% reported higher quarterly sales in the last quarter of 2023, up from 27% in the third quarter of 2023.
Meanwhile 64% said they expect conditions to improve over the next five years, up from 56% in the third quarter of 2023.
But the stakes are still high. About 40% of small-business owners surveyed by Slack for its 2024 Small Business Outlook Survey said 2024 was a "make or break" year for their business.
That is why we have gathered up some small-business grants that owners can apply for in February. We also have a more complete list of small business grants, loans and assistance programs for all of 2024.
Hello Alice, Start.Pivot.Grow. and the Halstead Grant are a few of the small-business grants that business owners can apply for in February 2024.
If you’re looking to apply for small business grants in February, you’re in luck. A wide range of programs are available to businesses throughout the country, from grants that support rural businesses to those specifically for downtown storefronts. We’ve rounded up a wide range of opportunities, all of which you can apply for this month.
Citizens Small Business Community Champion Award
Citizens Bank is currently running its annual grant contest for small businesses. The Small Business Community Champion Award consists of 30 $10,000 grants, which will be distributed to companies across the 14 states where Citizens does business. Some of the grants are allocated to businesses owned by women, minorities, and veterans. Eligible businesses can apply online now through February.
Chicago 7th District Small Business Restoration Grant
Businesses in certain North Chicago neighborhoods can apply for assistance through the 7th District Small Business Restoration Grant. The program is open to small businesses that have missed out on previous grant opportunities and those that are facing financial hardships or in danger of closure. Eligible businesses with a brick-and-mortar location in the district can apply for one-time, $10,000 micro-grants to cover various expenses. Applications are being accepted now through February 2.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Business Program
The Rural Development Business Program is a nationwide program that offers financial support and technical assistance to rural businesses. The USDA offers grants, loans, and financial guarantees to support a wide range of rural businesses and their needs. The deadline to apply for the current funding round is February 28.
Antioch Small Business Grants
Antioch, California, is supporting small businesses in the city’s high-crime areas by offering grant funds that can be used for safety and security upgrades. This is the fourth round of the Small Business Grants program, which will offer between $5,000 and $25,000 per business. Applications for the current funding round should be submitted by February 29.
Seguin Business Improvement Grant
Seguin, Texas, is currently operating its Business Improvement Grant (BIG) program. The program offers reimbursement funds that may cover up to 75 percent of eligible improvements or a maximum amount of $10,000. Applications are accepted up to the last day of each month. The city may then continue accepting applications if any funds remain available.
Boss Impact Fund offers $10K grants and mentorship
The Boss Impact Fund grant program, a collaboration between The BOSS Network and cloud business services firm Sage, aims to break down barriers for Black women
entrepreneurs. Businesses must be less than five years old, be for profit, have a
demonstrated need for funding and be willing to participate in a virtual mentoring program.
Each winner will receive $10,000, a year scholarship in BOSS Business University and monthly support and mentoring for all of 2024.
Applications are due by Feb. 23, and winners are announced in March 2024.
Hello Alice offers $1,000 in "American Dream" grants
Hello Alice has set up a new small-business recognition and grant program in an effort to push back against a lawsuit filed by America First Legal challenging one of its grant programs. Visitors can nominate a small business, making it eligible for $1,000 grants and additional publicity and support in the form of a small-business accelerator.
Applications are due April 30, 2024.
Women-owned businesses can apply for a $10,000 grant from Papaya Reusables
Sustainable paper towel brand Papaya Reusables is offering a business grant in support of Women's History month. Women-owned small businesses can apply for the grant until March 31, 2024.
Applicants will need to talk about their company's greater mission and how they would use the grant. Applicants are also asked to send in a short video message.
$10,000 grants from the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund
Small-business owners with less than $3 million in revenue that have been hit by a natural disaster are eligible for a $10,000 grant made possible by a partnership between DoorDash and small-business platform Hello Alice. The business must have a brick-and-mortar location, three or fewer locations, $3 million or less in revenue per location, and fewer than 50 employees per location.
Businesses must be experiencing hardship because of a state or federally declared natural disaster. Applications close March 29, 2024.
Recipients will be announced in May.
$2,500 small business growth grant from Start.Pivot.Grow.
This grant comes from Start.Pivot.Grow., a small business accelerator, tools and funding platform, for any business that aims to grow in
2024. The $2,500 also comes with a digital business growth plan.
To be eligible businesses must have existed for at least two years. The winner will be announced during National Small Business Week
Applications close March 31, 2024.
2024 Halstead Grant offering more than $8,500
Business owners that work with silver jewelry or want to jumpstart their silver jewelry business may want to apply for the 2024 Halstead Grant that offers $7,500 in cash and a $1,000 gift card to a grand prize winner and $1,000 in cash and $250 gift cards to finalists.
The goal is to help promote new talent and creativity in the jewelry industry.
Applications must be postmarked by May 1.
Start.Pivot.Grow. is business acceleration program created to fuel equitable economic development by supporting small to midsize businesses through results driven business education, technical assistance and access to capital. Click here to join our newsletter and stay up to date on the latest capital resources for small business. Share the news.
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