Forum Discussion

Lizzy_0314's avatar
Lizzy_0314
Contributor 2
4 months ago

What small business grants can you apply for regularly as a new business owner?

So I recently found out about small business grants. I was wanting to see if anyone had any tips or suggestions for what grants to apply for monthly. 

Me and my fiance just opened a kitchen at a bar we are looking to refurbish and create a new menu. We are looking for any extra help we can get.

4 Replies

  • Homeownership's avatar
    Homeownership
    Contributor 5
    4 months ago

    One thing that helped me was using AI to find grant opportunities. I always make sure the application tells a genuine story. Don't just focus on what the money will do for your business—explain how your kitchen supports local jobs, serves customers, or gives back to the community. Lead with your impact. Good luck with the new venture!

  • juuce209's avatar
    juuce209
    Contributor 3
    2 months ago

    Try helloskip.com! They have 2 live drawings a week on Youtube for $1k and a monthly $10k grant. They are for every business at any stage of growth. I have won 3 times on the live drawing. I won credit to use toward their services twice (totalling $1600), and just yesterday I won $700 cash. I will be using it to go towards the purchase of my first kiosk! I'll be doing a video call with Ryder tomorrow, which may or may not be used in their video Friday! I'm super excited, if you can't tell. My referal code to sign up (free) is tryskip.co/r/TRACY549

  • constructionCFO's avatar
    constructionCFO
    Jobber Ambassador
    1 month ago

    Here is one: 

    https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/funding/details

  • travisshepherd's avatar
    travisshepherd
    Verified Community Coach
    1 month ago

    That’s an exciting venture! Opening a kitchen is a grind, but totally worth it. Since you're in the thick of it with your fiancée, here is a more personal, conversational way to respond to that post:

    ​"Congrats on the new kitchen! My partner and I are currently navigating the startup life too, and I’ve learned pretty quickly that 'monthly' grants are rare—but they are out there if you know where to look.

    ​Here is what I’ve found most helpful for staying consistent:

    • ​For recurring cycles: Check out Hello Alice. It’s the easiest way to get alerts for when grants actually open so you aren't constantly searching. If your fiancée is a co-owner, look into the Amber Grant; they do a $10k grant every single month. Also, Verizon Digital Ready has been a solid one for us—they offer $10k grants pretty regularly if you knock out a few of their free courses.
    • ​Go hyper-local: Honestly, national grants are a lottery. Since you’re in Indiana, reach out to your local SBDC office. They’re a free resource, and they helped me realize that our county’s Community Foundation actually had a dedicated fund for small businesses like ours.
    • ​The 'Pro' Tip: Don't ask for money to just 'refurbish.' Committees usually want to see a specific goal. If you frame your request around an equipment upgrade—like a new energy-efficient hood or refrigeration—it makes it a much easier 'yes' for them to fund.

    ​Keep those contractor quotes and your business plan in a shared folder so you can pull them instantly when a window opens. Good luck with the new menu!"