Business Resources
January 2025 Grants & Resources For Black-Owned Beauty Brands
Level up your business with these free grants and resources.
New year, new funding opportunities! Each month, Sadiaa Black Beauty Guide pulls up with a list of resources for beauty entrepreneurs and brand owners to which they can apply, pitch or submit. With Black-centered grants under fire, this list has become even more essential for start-ups and solopreneurs looking to get stable footing.
Click through for info on current opportunities you can apply or tap in to help your business thrive in 2025.
Hustler’s MicroGrant
Deja Vu Parker of WBLS, in collaboration with HerSuiteSpot, is offering up $1K Hustler’s MicroGrant for small business owners to bet a boost.
Deadline: December 31, 2024
Apply here: hersuitespot.com/hustlersgrant
ZenBusiness $5K Grant Program
The ZenBusiness 2024 Small Business Grant Program is awarding up to 40 small business clients a $5K grant, Growth Center access for 30 days (including live coaching and website tools), ZenBusiness Money Pro access for 30 days (providing tools to manage your clients, cashflow, and taxes all in one place), and ZenBusiness Banking free for the first month (so you can separate your business and personal finances).
To qualify, eligible small businesses must have used formation services within the last three to six months.
Deadline: December 31, 2024
Apply here: zenbusiness.com
Change It Up Fall Grant
Honeycomb Credit is offering up a $5K grant to eligible businesses that have used its services within the last three to six months. Funds can be used for anything from new product launch and equipment purchases to marketing and general business expenses.
Deadline: December 31, 2024
Apply here: honeycombcredit.com
2025 Startup Bootcamp
Future Founders is hosting a free bootcamp to help 18- to 30-year-olds turn ideas, passions, and side hustles into functioning businesses with a series of workshops, mentorship opportunities, and peer support to help you launch and grow.
Early Consideration Deadline: January 7, 2025 at 11:59pm CT
Standard Deadline: February 2, 2025 at 11:59pm CT
Apply here: futurefounders.com
Sage Impact Entrepreneurship US Program
Village Capital has teamed with Sage Foundation to support 12-13 early-stage and underrepresented startups based in the US through its Annual Core Cohort offering tailored mentoring, Sage’s product support, grants, and strategic training. Application process also provides a free investment readiness score.
Deadline: January 10, 2025 at 11:59pm CT
Apply here: vilcap.com
Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program
Watson Institute and Walmart have teamed to support 25 underserved retail entrepreneurs via a competitive 16-week leadership and venture development program. Eligible founders will be working to transform agricultural inputs into higher-value products — including cosmetics and personal care and natural fibers and textiles, as well as organic, specialty, artisanal and craft products. Participants will s receive essential training, a curated list of retail readiness certifications and a $1K financial stipend to pursue those certifications, mentorship, and access to a robust network and community.
Priority Application Deadline: January 26, 2025
Apply here: watson.is/retail-readiness-entrepreneurship-training-program
ONGOING DEADLINES
Amazon Black Business Accelerator
If you’ve got a shop on Amazon (or are thinking about starting one), then this grant program is for you. Accepted businesses get access to mentorship along with FREE imaging services for up to 50 products, $500 credit for start-up and operational costs, and up to $3,000 in advertising credits. Select sellers will also be able to apply for additional cash grant opportunities.
Deadline: None, but don’t wait!
Apply here: sell.amazon.com
Etsy Disaster Relief Grant Application
The Etsy Fund at CERF+ provides disaster relief grants of up to $2000 to U.S.-based Etsy sellers on a rolling basis based on available funds. Sellers are eligible to apply for a disaster emergency relief grant within one year of experiencing a natural disaster. Must be an active seller on Etsy for at least one year with an Etsy account in good standing.
Deadline: Ongoing.
Apply here: advocacy.etsy.com
Wish Local Empowerment Grant
U.S.-based Black-owned businesses with a brick-and-mortar shop can apply for microgrants ranging from $500-$2000. Must have 20 or fewer employees and under $1M average revenue.
Deadline: Ongoing.
Apply here: wish.com
Business Funding
Many small businesses are underserved by traditional lenders, with Black business owners continuing to have a higher rejection rate than White business owners. We’ve connected with a service that offers financing and term loans to businesses that have been in operation for at least four month and AI-Powered Platform to help make your business more bankable.
Not sure if you qualify? Click through to create a free borrower profile and generate a Bankability Index Score which shows how attractive your business is to potential lenders (and what you need to work on).
Deadline: None
Apply here: wardfreedompath.com
Bank Of America “Access To Capital Connector”
Bank of America has partnered with Community Reinvestment Fund, a national nonprofit CDFI, to help small business owners find capital via loans ranging from $10K to $1M, coaching, and support.
Deadline: Ongoing.
Apply here: accesstocapitalconnector.com
Small Business Readiness for Resiliency
The U.S. Chamber Foundation and FedEx teamed up to create the Small Business Readiness for Resiliency Program (R4R) to help small business owners prepare for disasters and offers quick-turn relief funding of $5,000 for those prepared businesses after a federal disaster declaration is made in their region.
Deadline: Ongoing
Apply here: uschamberfoundation.org
Amazon Amplify
The Amazon Black Business Accelerator also offers Black-owned businesses access to its Amplify program. The business education program offers a cohort learning experience, including a dedicated Customer Success manager, a network of industry experts and business consultants, and peer group mentorship.
Deadline: None, but don’t wait!
Apply here: sell.amazon.com
S.P.U.R. Pathways
Shared Purpose, Unlimited Reach (S.P.U.R.) Pathways is a multiyear, multifaceted funding program in partnership with Momentus Capital to provide financial support to diverse-owned and underrepresented growth-stage businesses. The program is currently offering loans or investments of $20K and above, along with access to an advisory network for strategic growth advice such as business strategy and planning, financial reporting, daily operating challenges, opportunity evaluation, and other personalized services.
Deadline: Ongoing.
Apply here: macys.com
Start Small, Think Big
The nonprofit has established partnerships to offer free legal, finance, and marketing resources and small business support to BIPOC entrepreneurs, women, LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs, immigrants, veterans, entrepreneurs with disabilities, low-income entrepreneurs, and formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs.
Must be currently operational and have at least $500 in sales within the past three months. Applicant must also have a household income under 750% of federal poverty guidelines.
Apply here: startsmallthinkbig.org
Minority Business Circle
Here’s another digital platform dedicated to empowering and connecting minority-owned small businesses, providing access to curated funding partners, resources, and virtual events.
Sign up here: minoritybusinesscircle.com
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