Business Resources
August 2026 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.
Scroll through for info on current opportunities you can apply or tap in to help your business thrive.
Fundable Founders Learning Lab 2026
From Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize, this 10-week virtual sprint is designed to help Florida-based founders become fundable, scalable, investment-ready and profitable.
The program is designed for Florida-based founders who are building companies in technology, AI, healthcare, consumer products and services, or media and entertainment; are ready to move beyond the idea stage into execution and growth; are seeking capital, partnerships, or opportunities to scale; and are committed to learning and taking action. Whether you’re an early-stage founder or refining an existing business, the program is designed to meet you where you are and help move your business forward. Apply here.
Deadline: August 4, 2026 at 6pm PT
Apply here: blackambitionprize.com
MaesaMagic Incubator Campaign
Maesa is now accepting applications for The Maesa Magic Incubator. The five-month program provides $35K funding to each oits three winners, along with mentorship, and hands-on education to help these entrepreneurs scale their businesses. Open to all under-represented communities in early launch phase.
Deadline: August 7 @ 11:59pm EST.
Apply here: maesa.com
Investment Readiness Bootcamp For Female Founders
This six-week bootcamp is designed for women founders who are gearing up to fundraise and go-to-market. Gain access to the Fierce Foundry experts for guidance, to sharpen your pitch, and walk away with a real plan and real momentum. Led by seasoned operators and early-stage investors, you’ll build the core assets every founder needs: a fundable pitch deck, clear financials, a smart investor strategy, and the confidence to own the room. Note this is a paid bootcamp, not a grant.
Deadline: August 20, 2026
Apply here: thefiercefoundry.com
Rooted In Growth Grant Program
amika, in partnership with the Fifteen Percent Pledge, is accepting applications for the Rooted In Growth Grant Program. Four professional hair care founders will each receive $50,000 in unrestricted funding, founder mentorship, networking opportunities, and brand visibility to help grow their businesses. Eligibility: U.S.-based hair care brands with under $2.5M in annual revenue, at least 51% owned by underserved founder(s), and currently selling through or aspiring to expand into professional distribution channels.
Deadline: August 21, 2026
Apply here: 15percentpledge.org
Hey Helen Microgrant
This privately funded initiative by Visionaries that invests in U.S.-based women founders building impactful, mission-driven businesses. Each grant cycle, one founder will receive $10K in financial support — designed to fuel whatever moves your business forward, whether that’s operations, growth, marketing, hiring, or infrastructure.
Upcoming Deadlines: August 31, 2026; and December 31, 2026
Apply here: visionaries.co
Entreprenista Evolve Grant
Presented by IT Cosmetics, this grant is designed to support woman founders. Each quarter one woman-owned business will win $5K to invest in their business. That could look like marketing support, hiring help, systems, visibility, education, or something else your business genuinely needs right now.
Deadline: November 30, 2026
Apply here: entreprenista.com
ONGOING DEADLINES
HerRise Micro Grant
Each month, HerRise gives a $500 microgrant to a U.S.-based woman of color-owned small business. Non-profits, franchises, direct sellers, authorized resellers, and independent consultants are not eligible. Applications are due on the last day of the month.
Deadline: Last day of the month at 11:59pm ET
Apply here: hersuitespot.com
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
Verizon has partnered with the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) to award underserved small businesses $10K grants. Complete any two eligible courses or events to unlock your application. Each month, 10 small businesses will be selected for grants. If you are not selected in a given month, your application will remain eligible for future selections.
Deadline: Ongoing. Apply once to be considered for $10,000 grants awarded throughout 2026.
Apply here: verizon.com
NASE Growth Grant
An exclusive funding opportunity from the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) designed to help entrepreneurs invest in the next stage of their business. Members can apply for up to $4,000 in small business grants to support growth, marketing, equipment, or expansion needs.
Eligibility: Applicants must be NASE members in good standing for at least 3 months prior to applying. Annual members may apply immediately; monthly members become eligible after 90 days.
Deadline: Ongoing.
Apply here: nase.org
ZenBusiness Free LLC Formation for Moms
To help mothers take the first step toward entrepreneurship, ZenBusiness is covering business formation costs and will help entrepreneurs form an LCC, track expenses, secure a business name, and more.
Apply here: zenbusiness.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
Hustler’s Microgrant
Created by Deja Vu Parker of WBLS in partnership with HerSuiteSpot, awards $1,000 grants to small business owners across the United States. Applications open monthly, and finalists are selected based on vision, impact, and how the funding will move their business forward.
Deadline: Monthly
Apply here: hersuitespot.com
Universal Funding and Grant Application
Entrepreneurs and small business owners can access $2,500 in funding to support real growth. Whether you’re launching something new, investing in marketing, or simply making your operations more sustainable, this grant is designed to help you move forward.
Deadline: Ongoing
Apply here: ifundwomen.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
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
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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