Business Resources
March 2025 Grants & Resources For Black-Owned Beauty Brands
Level up your business with these free grants and resources.
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.
Next 1B: Founders
McKinsey’s Next 1B Founders program is an eight to12 week learning, connectivity, and capital introductions program designed to support smaller Black-owned brands in the United States. Eligible businesses are typically more than one year in maturity with anywhere from $250k-$5M in annual revenue, and sells consumer products. The Spring 2025 cohort is set to start at the end of March 2025, with 1x weekly sessions on Tuesdays from 12pm-2pm ET.
Application Deadline: ASAP
Apply here: mckinsey.com/bem/overview/next-1b
L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth program US grant The L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth program is an inspiring philanthropic initiative that recognizes and empowers exceptional women making a difference in their communities. Female non-profit leaders based in the US can apply. $25,000 3/8/25
L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth
The L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth program is an inspiring philanthropic initiative that recognizes and empowers exceptional women making a difference in their communities. Female non-profit leaders based in the US can apply for up to $25K.
Deadline: March 8, 2025
Apply here: lorealparisusa.com/women-of-worth
Ignite: A WBDC Grant Program (Connecticut)
The Women’s Business Development Council is offering grants of up to $10K to qualified women-owned small businesses in Connecticut that have been in business for at least two years, with annual revenue between $25K and $2M.
Deadline: March 10, 2025
Apply here: ctwbdc.org
Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator
Aspiring founders are invited to apply to this virtual, idea-stage program to take you from concept to first launch. The Spring 2025 cohort will feature a studio team of experts in strategy, marketing, low-code tools, and more. Plus you’ll be eligible for $5,000 from the Pebble Fund to put your idea into action.
Deadline: March 11, 2025
Apply here: buildersandbackers.com
Kitty Fund Mompreneur Micro Grant
The Kitty Fund is offering $1K micro grants to 25 mother-owned businesses across the U.S. Created in honor of Founder’s First CEO Kim Folsom‘s late mother, Catherine “Kitty” Abrams Tadlock Webster, the Kitty Fund makes small micro investments in Moms who are running employer-based small businesses with two or more employees.
Deadline: Application OPENS March 18, 2025. Preregister now.
Apply here: foundersfirstdc.org
Rev Summer Prototyping Hardware Accelerator
Wondering if your next big idea is viable? This in-person incubator will help lead you through the physical product development process to determine if your idea is commercially desirable, technologically feasible, and economically viable. pplications will be reviewed on a rolling basis during the annual application cycle. The next cohort will take place this summer in Ithica, NY.
Deadline: March 18, 2025 (Spring cohort)
Apply here: revithaca.com/prototyping-hardware-accelerator
Whole Foods Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP) US Accelerator
This is your chance to get your products on Whole Foods shelves. The six-month initiative, which launched in 2022 is created specifically to help grow local and emerging producers. Selected participants will receive mentorship from Whole Foods Market experts and tailored educational programs, along with potential for direct financial support. Each participant’s products are also considered for placement on the shelves of Whole Foods Market stores in their home city or region.
Deadline: March 19, 2025
Apply here: wholefoodsmarket.com
Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program (Long Beach, CA)
Designed to assist 20 aspiring entrepreneurs with their small businesses and help them craft sustainable business plans. The program will provide $10K treceive support services, participate in workshops and earn $10,000 in grant funding to advance their business goals. Must be based in Long Beach.
Deadline: March 20, 25
Apply here: longbeach.gov/economicdevelopment/small-business-grants/level-up
Start. Pivot. Grow.
The “Start. Pivot. Grow.” program returns with a $2,500 working capital micro grant to small businesses, including beauty brands, with $50K or more annual revenue. Grant may be used for utilities, commercial rent, inventory, professional development, software, marketing, or bookkeeping services.Funded, in part, by Integrality, The UPS Foundation, and Wells Fargo Foundation.
Deadline: March 31, 2025
Apply here: startpivotgrow.com/grants
Faire Small Business Grant
Kickstart your dream business with $5K small business grant to cover inventory costs and stock your store with Faire products in various categories, including beauty, wellness, jewelry and more.
Deadline: March 31, 2025
Apply here: faire.com
Breakthrough Grant
The Honeycomb Credit Breakthrough grant is offering up a $10K Grant to help small business owners level up. Funds can be used to expand a product line, move to a new space, purchase new equipment, or anything else that will help you breakthrough in 2025!
Application Deadline: April 2, 2025
Apply here: honeycombcredit.com/breakthrough
The MSP Equity Accelerator
Sponsored by Allianz invests in high-growth startups founded by undervalued entrepreneurs. For each cohort, we invest $100K in each of five startups who receive a concierge experience during our 12-week accelerator program.
gener8tor is a nationally ranked accelerator that invests in high-growth startups and supports the growth of these startups through its network of experienced mentors, technologists, corporate partners, angel investors and venture capitalists.
Deadline: April 25, 2025
Apply here: gener8tor.com/investment-accelerators/msp-equity-accelerator
Black Ambition Prize & Black Ambition HBCU Prize
Founded in 2020 by Pharrell Williams, this groundbreaking opportunity provides funding, resources, and mentorship from top industry leaders to help entrepreneurs in consumer products and services, healthcare, media and entertainment, technology, and / or AI. The General Prize competition will award an early-stage company with up to $1 million, along with mentorship, pitch coaching, and design support.
Deadline: May 2, 2025
Apply here: blackambitionprize.com
EmpowHer Grant
Just launched a clean beauty brand built around sustainability and the environment? Boundless Futures Foundation grant program may be just the right fit for you! This early-stage capital grant will award $25K in funding to female entrepreneurs with U.S.-based businesses operating for three years or less.
Deadline: May 15, 2025 (apply quarterly)
Apply here: boundlessfutures.org
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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