Small business grant opportunities to apply for in September
August 20, 2025
This month has a wide mix of funding opportunities for small businesses. From grants to accelerators, September’s lineup offers resources for both early-stage entrepreneurs and established organizations. See below for active opportunities with September deadlines.
📋 Blueprint Breakthrough Grant
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: 9/1/25
Overview: $5,000 flexible funding for for-profit businesses in operation 2 years or less. Open to all industries. Funds can be used for equipment, marketing, or any business need.
🎨 Boettcher Foundation Community Connection Grants
Amount: up to $75,000
Deadline: 9/1/25
Overview: This grant supports nonprofit organizations that work with immigrant artists and communities, and that promote diversity in the arts, sciences, education, and humanities.
🖼️ Vilcek Foundation Grant
Amount: up to $20,000
Deadline: 9/1/25
Overview: This grant supports nonprofit organizations that work with immigrant artists and communities, and that promote diversity in the arts, sciences, education, and humanities.
🏪 Columbia Small Business Grant
Amount: up to $10,000
Deadline: 9/3/25
Overview: This grant supports both new and existing businesses in Columbia, MO looking to expand, innovate, or improve efficiency. Priority is given to business owners living in economically disadvantaged areas of Columbia, with the goal of boosting local economic sustainability and community impact.
⚡ Fast Forward Accelerator
Amount: $25,000
Deadline: 9/8/25
Overview: Fast Forward Accelerator supports tech nonprofit founders with funding, mentorship, and community to help scale their impact. Since 2014, the program has supported 100+ tech nonprofits, offering access to capital, networks, and long-term resources for growth.
🌱 Camelback Fellowship
Amount: $40,000
Deadline: 9/10/25
Overview: A 16-week hybrid program providing coaching, capital, connections, community, and curriculum to underrepresented entrepreneurs. Focus areas include education (early childhood through adult learning) and conscious technology (health & wellness, community development, policy, workforce readiness).
🌍 IMG Leave Your Mark Grant
Amount: $3,500
Deadline: 9/12/25
Overview: Funding opportunity to support social good organizations with global outreach efforts. Five winners will be selected: two organizations will each receive $3,500, and three individuals participating in a mission, volunteer, or service trip will each receive $1,000.
🚀 Distilled Intelligence Pitch Competition
Amount: $1M (structured as SAFEs)
Deadline: 9/15/25
Overview: Open to founders at any stage and sector building disruptive technologies in large markets. $1M in prize funding available as investments via modified SAFEs. Applications require a pitch deck and company details, reviewed on a rolling basis (early applications prioritized). Event focuses on high-impact networking and pitching without heavy pre-event requirements.
💻 digitalundivided BREAKTHROUGH Program
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: 9/22/25
Overview: digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co, helps established founders grow their businesses through funding, mentorship, and community. Each selected company receives a $5,000 grant, business advisory support, and access to growth strategies, customer insights, and networking opportunities.
🃏Poker Power x IFW $100k "Power Play" Small Business Grant
Amount: $100,000
Deadline: 9/26/25
Overview: Poker Power is partnering with IFundWomen to launch a $100,000 small business grant. Ten finalists will be selected to pitch in NYC on November 18, 2025, competing for the $100K award plus 6 months of IFundWomen coaching, 4 Poker Power mentorship sessions, and a 4-week poker course.
📈 REDF Accelerator
Amount: $20,000
Deadline: 9/26/25
Overview: The REDF Accelerator is a 6-month applied learning program for leaders of employment social enterprises (ESEs) to grow revenue, expand impact, and strengthen employee support services. Each enterprise applies with two leaders who participate in 100+ hours of peer-based learning, coaching, and consulting to address real-world challenges. Graduates leave with a tailored implementation plan and receive a $20,000 unrestricted grant (2026 cohort) along with access to REDF’s national community of 200+ ESEs.
🔬 Johns Hopkins Social Innovation Lab
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: 9/27/25
Overview: The Social Innovation Lab (SIL) supports early-stage ventures from Johns Hopkins and the greater Baltimore community that are mission-driven and have demonstrated traction. Participants join a cohort-based program focused on customer discovery, fundraising, impact measurement, storytelling, and more, while gaining access to a broad mentor and funder network. Teams that complete the program receive a $5,000 grant stipend and can compete for a $15,000 prize.
🍽️ DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: 9/29/25
Overview: Provides $10,000 grants to restaurants impacted by natural disasters, severe weather, or infrastructure failures to help them recover and reopen quickly.
🌟 Impact Accelerator – SEED SPOT
Deadline: 9/29/25
Overview: SEED SPOT's accelerator program for diverse entrepreneurs provide underrepresented founders with tailored support, expert guidance, and funding connections to build sustainable businesses that tackle society's most pressing challenges. Runs October 17–December 5.
👟 Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program
Amount: up to $100,000
Deadline: 9/30/25
Overview: Grants up to $100,000 for nonprofits in 14 U.S. cities focused on youth programs or capital improvement projects.
📱AT&T Small Business Contest
Amount: $50,000 grand prize; $5,000 for four runners-up
Deadline: 9/30/25
Overview: A national contest supporting small business owners with funding, tech, and storytelling opportunities. The grand prize includes $50,000, a year of AT&T service with a new device, and a chance to be featured in content with an AT&T #ShesConnected athlete. Four additional winners will receive $5,000 each.
🏔️ Boettcher Foundation Rural Catalyst Grants
Amount: up to $10,000
Deadline: 9/30/25
Overview: The Rural Catalyst Grant Program supports rural Colorado organizations with capacity-building funds to advance community and regional goals. Grants range from $1,000–$10,000 and can be used for strategic planning, convenings, short-term staffing, one-time operating costs, and other projects. Eligible focus areas include affordable housing, childcare, mental health, placemaking, immigrant and refugee support, rural water management, and more.
🌄 Boettcher Foundation Doers & Difference Makers Fellowship
Amount: up to $10,000
Deadline: 9/30/25
Overview: The Doers & Difference Makers Fellowship is a nine-month program that supports 10–12 Colorado community leaders each year with training, coaching, and resources to expand their impact. Fellows participate in over 60 hours of in-person and virtual sessions on adaptive leadership, boundary setting, feedback, networking, and more, while also receiving one-on-one coaching. At the end of the program, fellows may apply for a $10,000 professional development award to further their growth and long-term community impact.
🌿 Start Pivot Grow Micro Grant
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: 9/30/25
Overview: Provides $2,500 micro-grants to active U.S.-based businesses each quarter, helping cover essential expenses and support business growth.
🔑 Secretsos™ Small Business Grant
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: 9/30/25
Overview: Awards $2,500 grants quarterly to small businesses, with a focus on entrepreneurs often overlooked by traditional investors; funds can be used flexibly for growth and operations.
🌌 Galaxy Grant
Amount: $3,500
Deadline: 9/30/25
Overview: Offers a $3,500 grant open to women and minority entrepreneurs to help build and grow their small businesses. Provided by Hidden Star, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting underrepresented business owners with financial assistance, resources, and tools.
🛍️ Faire Small Business Grant
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: 9/30/25
Overview: Offers $5,000 grants to new U.S.-based retail businesses that have opened in the past year or plan to launch this year. Funding is designed to help cover inventory and startup expenses.
📊 ZenBusiness Grant Program
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: 9/30/25
Overview: Awards 40 grants to current customers of ZenBusiness who formed their business within 3–6 months. Supports foundational growth for small businesses.
👩💼 EmpowHer Grant – Boundless Futures Foundation
Amount: up to $25,000
Deadline: 9/30/25
Overview: Up to $25,000 in reimbursement-based funding for women entrepreneurs and nonprofits supporting women-led businesses.
📷 Innovate Grant
Amount: $1,800
Deadline: 9/30/25
Overview: Innovate Grant supports artists and photographers through quarterly $1,800 grants.
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