Small business grant opportunities to apply for in December
November 24, 2025
This December brings a fresh roundup of current opportunities for small businesses and nonprofits – grants, accelerator programs, awards, and other helpful resources. Browse what’s accepting applications and available now.
American Express Leadership Academy
Deadline: 12/1/25
Overview: Leadership development program for emerging nonprofit and social sector leaders. Focuses on skills building, peer learning, and impact.
Mid-America Arts Alliance Catalyze Program
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: 12/3/25
Overview: The Catalyze Program, run by Mid-America Arts Alliance with support from the Windgate Foundation, provides $10,000 fellowships to 25 artists annually in central Arkansas and the Arkansas Delta. Open to creatives in 31 counties who have at least three years of experience and a commitment to advancing their practice, the program combines flexible, practice-based funding with professional development, one-on-one mentoring, and strategic guidance.
Bold Path Fellowship
Amount: $120,000
Deadline: 12/5/25
Overview: The Bold Path Fellowship is a two-year, full-time program that provides $120,000 in funding, mentorship, and resources to help individuals from under-resourced or first-generation backgrounds pursue entrepreneurship after earning a degree or credential. It aims to make entrepreneurship a viable career pathway by supporting fellows through the costly and time-intensive early stages of building a business. Current and upcoming cohorts are based in Birmingham (AL), Raleigh-Durham (NC), and Minneapolis-St. Paul (MN), funded by the ECMC Group Education Impact Fund and ECMC Foundation.
CyberTech|X Accelerator
Deadline: 12/5/25
Overview: TCyberTech|X Accelerator is a program for early-stage cybersecurity startups, offering strategic support, global connections, and mentorship from a large network of investors, mentors, and industry partners. Participants get warm investor intros, expert coaching, media exposure, major startup perks, and opportunities to pitch and network, with sponsors including groups like Bank of America, EY, and others.
Chasm Momentum Grant
Amount: $25,000
Deadline: 12/8/25
Overview: The CHASM Momentum Grant awards one female founder a $25,000 grant to help accelerate her company’s next stage. It’s aimed at women-led ventures with early traction and a clear plan for how the funding will drive growth, and is judged by Aleen Dreksler, co-founder/CEO of Betches Media.
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: 12/10/25
Overview: After completing two courses on the Verizon platform, small businesses become eligible to access a $10,000 grant application. 50 small businesses will be awarded with $10,000 grants.
Workplace Innovation Now (WIN) Challenge
Amount: $2.5-$5M
Deadline: 12/11/25
Overview: The Workplace Innovation Now (WIN) Challenge is a $60 million grant initiative led by Aspen Digital and supported by Melinda French Gates’ organization, Pivotal, to scale innovative solutions that help women thrive in a rapidly evolving workplace. The competition focuses on three pillars – Culture & Practices, AI, and Narrative – and will award up to eight grantees per category with $2.5–$5 million each. Its goal is to improve workplace culture, leverage AI for equity, and reshape narratives so all workers, especially women, can succeed.
Innovate Grant
Amount: $1,800
Deadline: 12/11/25
Overview: Innovate Grant supports artists and photographers through quarterly $1,800 grants.
Home Depot Veteran Housing Grant
Amount: up to $500,000
Deadline: 12/12/25
Overview: Funding for nonprofits to build or repair housing for U.S. veterans, including accessibility modifications and critical repairs.
SKU CPG Accelerator
Deadline: 12/12/25
Overview: SKU’s Spring ’26 Track is a 12-week hybrid consumer packaged goods (CPG) accelerator open to market-validated startups nationwide, offering hands-on mentorship from industry experts, investors, and serial entrepreneurs, mostly remote with two in-person events and a final investor showcase pitch. Selected companies trade up to 5% equity for the program’s mentorship, network, and ongoing support, with applications due December 12.
D Prize
Amount: up to $20,000
Deadline: 12/14/25
Overview: Seed grants to launch new ventures that scale distribution of proven poverty-fighting interventions. Focuses on delivering existing solutions to underserved communities.
Illinois Grocery Initiative - Equipment Upgrade Grant
Amount: $25,000 to $250,000
Deadline: 12/15/25
Overview: Supports independently owned grocery stores in Illinois making energy-efficient equipment upgrades. Open to grocers with <500 employees and ≤4 locations. Stores must accept SNAP/WIC and sell fresh, unprocessed foods.
Hiring Our Heroes’ Small Business Grant Program
Amount: up to $25,000
Deadline: 12/15/25
Overview: Hiring Our Heroes’ Veterans & Military Spouses Small Business Grant Program awards five veteran- or military spouse–owned small businesses one-time grants to help them grow. Four businesses receive $10,000 each and one receives $25,000, funded through the FedEx Founder’s Fund via the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis.
U.S. Venture/Schmidt Family Foundation Grant
Amount: up to $50,000
Deadline: 12/15/25
Overview: Supports nonprofits improving lives in areas like education, health, and equity. Grants support a wide range of funding requests including specific program needs, capital support, and general operating support.
Independent Lens Creator Lab
Amount: up to $36,000
Deadline: 12/19/25
Overview: The Independent Lens Creator Lab is a six-month accelerator for six standout vertical-video storytellers making social-media nonfiction. Participants get up to $36K in production funds, mentorship, and industry support, and will create up to 12 original videos for Independent Lens/PBS social channels. It targets charismatic creators with inclusive, empathetic voices and an engaged Gen Z/millennial audience of roughly 10K–100K followers, with ITVS owning the commissioned videos.
2026 National Small Business Week Awards
Deadline: 12/22/25
Overview: The National Small Business Week Awards, run by the U.S. Small Business Administration, recognize standout entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community partners from every state and U.S. territory, including categories like Small Business Person of the Year, Exporter of the Year, and various district and counseling awards. Winners are honored at a two-day celebration in Washington, D.C., receive national promotion through SBA media channels, a trophy, and PR support to amplify their achievement.
Hey Helen Grant
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: 12/30/25
Overview: The Hey Helen Grant gives $10,000 in financial support to women founders building impactful, mission-driven businesses in the U.S. Funds can be used for operations, growth, marketing, hiring, or infrastructure.
Spectrum Reach Pay It Forward
Amount: In-kind (ad credits/resources)
Deadline: 12/31/25
Overview: In-kind advertising and marketing resources for small businesses through Spectrum Reach's Pay It Forward initiative.
Visible Hands NYC Founder Fellowship
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: 12/31/25
Overview: The Founder Fellowship (VHNYC) is a 14-week hybrid program for early-stage, underrepresented founders in New York City building high-growth tech or tech-enabled startups. Participants join a tight cohort of 15 founders, receive a $10,000 non-dilutive business grant, and gain access to expert-led workshops, community events, and potential future investment. As part of NYCEDC’s Venture Access NYC initiative, the program focuses on improving access to capital and networks for overlooked founders across the five boroughs.
Threadneedle Alley Foundation Grant
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: 12/31/25
Overview: Threadneedle Alley Foundation awards at least three $5,000 grants annually to U.S.-based entrepreneurs age 40+ from underserved communities or facing financial challenges, paired with ongoing mentorship. Winners receive a lead mentor with monthly virtual check-ins plus access to a broader expert mentor bench.
Start Pivot Grow Micro Grant
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: 12/31/25
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: 12/31/25
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.
Faire Small Business Grant
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: 12/31/25
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: 12/31/25
Overview: Awards 40 grants to current customers of ZenBusiness who formed their business within 3–6 months. Supports foundational growth for small businesses.
Walmart Spark Good Local Grants
Amount: up to $5,000
Deadline: 12/31/25
Overview: Quarterly grants for organizations addressing local needs. Open to 501(c)(3) charities, public entities, and educational groups; must be Deed-verified and have a Spark Good account.
Women Founders Grant
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: 12/31/25
Overview: $5,000 rolling grants for majority women-founded businesses at any stage, from side hustles to established ventures. Simple application with two questions; $25 non-refundable fee. Winners are chosen based on passion, authenticity, and merit.
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