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Small-business owners are optimistic about their growth prospects as we move toward the midpoint of 2024.
According to a recent WalletHub survey of business owners, more than 60% of small-business owners believe now is a good time to grow. That's despite 64% who believe inflation won’t be coming down soon, and 60% who say their business is in need of financing more than it was a year ago.
“Some people question the strength of the economy, but its backbone — the small-business community — believes the conditions are primed for expansion,” said John Kiernan, WalletHub managing editor, in a report released with the survey results.
These sentiments come amid a 2024 that has seen the announcement of a massive credit-card payments settlement with Visa and Mastercard, a sweeping set of changes ready to take hold in the real estate industry over commissions, stubbornly high interest rates, and a job market that leaves businesses struggling to find talent and workers frustrated with their pay.
It's with that combination of factors in mind that we've gathered the following list of small-business grants owners can apply for this month.
Venmo Small Business Grant
The Venmo Small Business grant is awarding 10 small businesses that have a Venmo profile $20,000 each for expenses such as rent, supplies, marketing or to help grow their business.
The money also comes in Partnership with Hello Alice, the Global Entrepreneurship Network and PayPal who will help provide coaching and other pro bono services. Businesses must have less than $50,000 a year in revenue and fewer than 10 employees.
Businesses have until May 31 to apply.
Grubhub and National LGBT Chamber of Commerce team up
The Grubhub Community Fund and the NGLCC Community impact Program are providing rants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to LGBT-owned bars, restaurants and other food-related small businesses across the country.
Applications will open up by region with all businesses eventually being eligible in June of 2024.
East coast applications close May 21, 2024.Central region applications close June 4 and West Region Applications close June 25.
Bacardi, NAACP team on restaurant grants
The NAACP and liquor brand Bacardi have partnered for the Backing the B.A.R. program, which will give out more than $100,000 in grants, education and support for minority-owned bars, restaurants, nightclubs, lounges and liquor stores in the process of applying for a liquor license. Applicants must be a Black-owned business (51%+). The deadline to apply is May 24.
H&R Block offering $100k in small-business grants
Block Advisors, a division of tax-prep firm H&R Block, is awarding five grants to small businesses owned by women. Each winner will receive $20,000 and Block Advisors small-business services for a year.
To be eligible, businesses need to be at least 51% owned by a woman 18 years or older and living within the United States. A selection committee will evaluate submissions, and finalists must participate in a virtual video interview with members of the selection committee.
Applications will be accepted until May 26.
eBay launches fifth-annual Up & Running Grants program
E-commerce giant eBay will be awarding 50 sellers on its platform $10,000 each as part of a bid to fuel the growth of their business. The money can go toward physical and digital store improvements, equipment, inventory, hiring, training, marketing and other expenses. The company also is offering recipients a stipend worth $500 each that sellers can use for office technology from the eBay Refurbished online store.
The application window closes June 7.
PepsiCo launches small-business accelerator, grants
PepsiCo Inc., the company behind the Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Lay's and Gatorade brands, is bringing back its Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos Edition.
The program targets food-and-beverage businesses. Companies selected to participate will receive a $20,000 grant and will join a five-month mentorship program centered on business challenges. One business will receive an additional $100,000 grand prize.
To apply, businesses need to be Hispanic-owned and operating within the United States and have posted between $100,000 and $2 million in revenue in the last financial year.
The deadline to apply is May 6.
LegalZoom offers $3 million small-business grant program with NBA, WNBA
LegalZoom’s Fast Break for Small Business grant program, in partnership with the NBA and WNBA, will be awarding $1.5 million in grants to 150 small-business owners and $1.5 million in products and services to 3,000 entrepreneurs looking to start their own business.
Small businesses that have been in operation for at least three months are eligible to apply for the individual $10,000 grants or up to $500 in LegalZoom products and services. Winners will be announced on social media. Action Opportunity Fund will administer the small-business grant awards.
The window to apply closes September 13.
Jobber offers grants for home-services businesses
Jobber, which provides operations-management software for home-services businesses, has launched a grant program in which 15 businesses could get $10,000 each. Business owners can apply for and use the grant however they want, whether it's purchasing new equipment, marketing or training their team.
Applications are being accepted until June 12.
Additional opportunities for small businesses
Entrepreneurs and business owners looking for assistance have other resources available to them as well. We've compiled a rundown of some of the other grant opportunities and types of training and technical assistance available to companies throughout 2024.
