Many business owners unknowingly lose money through avoidable mistakes, inconsistent cash flow management, or failing to plan ahead. Fortunately, small improvements in your financial habits can lead to meaningful long-term growth.

My latest blog explores seven practical money tips designed to help entrepreneurs strengthen their financial foundation, improve profitability, and make more confident business decisions.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to take your business to the next level, these strategies can help you focus on the financial habits that truly move the needle.

🌻 Read the full article here:

https://itsmymoney.info/blog/7-small-business-money-tips-that-actually-move-the-needle/

I learned number 7 after almost 2 years in business. I promise you will thank yourself for this every January.

✅ What money strategy has made the biggest difference in your business? I would love to hear your experience in the comments. 

It’s lunch date day! 🥗📌

Today @ 12PM EST, we’re live with SBA rep Rosalind Gibson — funding, grants, loans, and resource talk, served up during your lunch break. No fluff, just straight answers from someone who’s spent 35+ years in the trenches of business development.

This is your shot to ask an actual SBA rep the things you’ve been Googling at 2AM. 😅

📣 FREE SUBSCRIBERS — This one’s exclusive to Elite members. If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading, this is your sign. Your Zoom link is waiting right below, all you have to do is upgrade.

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This Wednesday, July 22 @ 12PM EST, we’re sitting down (virtually) with SBA rep Rosalind Gibson for real talk on funding, grants, and the resources most small business owners don’t even know exist. Think of it as your midweek glow-up, business edition. 🍴💰

On the menu:
🍴 Intro to the SBA (and why they should be on your radar)
🍴 Free training + personalized mentoring through their Resource Partner Network
🍴 SBA-backed loan programs that could change your funding game
🍴 Federal contracting certifications you didn’t know you qualified for

With 35+ years in business development, Rosalind has heard every question — so no, yours won’t be “too basic.”

📣 FREE SUBSCRIBERS — This one’s exclusive to Elite members. If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading, this is your sign. Your Zoom link is waiting right below, all you have to do is upgrade and show up.

Elite Subscribers, your seat’s already saved. Zoom link below ⬇️

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This month my team and I reviewed over 100 grant opportunities and narrowed them down to the 21 most relevant funding opportunities for small business owners.

In this issue you’ll find grants ranging from $2,000 to $50,000+, including opportunities for women-owned businesses, startups, nonprofits, and established companies.

One grant in this month’s issue could potentially fund a new website, equipment purchase, expansion project, or marketing campaign.

This Month’s Funding Opportunities

Category Number Available

Women-Owned Businesses 3

Black-Owned Businesses. 3

Startups 2

General Small Business. 6

Nonprofits. 6

Accelerator program. 1

Total Funding Featured: $1,384,000.00

Grant of the Month

1. Goldman Sachs Community Development Grants

Eligibility:

• Domestic 501(c)(3) nonprofit

• Clear focus on community development in low- and moderate-income (LMI) areas

• Must operate primarily in one of these specific counties only: New York (New York, Bronx, Kings, Richmond, Queens), New Jersey (Hudson, Essex), or Utah (Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele)

Deadline: July 24, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST

Why We Selected It: It funds general operating costs (not just a specific project), and past grantees include organizations focused on workforce development, financial coaching, and affordable housing—making it a strong fit if you’re located in one of the eligible counties.

Additionally, this fund offers two distinct grant opportunities, giving eligible organizations multiple ways to receive support:

1. Change Makers – a one-time general operating grant.

2. Equity Builders – a multi-year general operating grant, providing longer-term operational funding for organizations working toward sustained community impact.

Apply Now

Grant Coach Corner

Before applying for any grant this month, make sure you have these 3  things ready:

1. The specific audience you serve

2. How you would use the funds

3. Description of your business or mission of your non-profit organization.

Need help getting grant-ready?

Download the Grant Guide here.

2.Schwab Moneywise Momentum Grants

Amount: $50,000–$250,000 for new grant partners (one-time, occasionally multi-year)

Eligibility: 501(c)(3) charitable organizations delivering financial education (especially to youth/young adults) or building educator capacity; preference for national/multi-market reach. Excludes political orgs, private clubs, individual schools, booster clubs/athletic teams, private foundations.

Deadline: LOI window open now, closes July 31, 2026.

A recurring literacy-focused grant funded through Pizza Hut's BOOK IT! program, aimed at libraries and nonprofits running community literacy initiatives near Pizza Hut locations.

Amount: Up to $10,000

Eligibility: Public entities or 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations; must operate within 15 miles of a Pizza Hut location; must be in good standing with state/federal guidelines for the past two years; must promote literacy through community-focused programs.

Deadline: August 31, 2026 at 4:00pm CT

Apply Now

3. Breva Thrive Grant

A quarterly micro-grant from Breva (a small-business financial platform) aimed at entrepreneurs making a tangible difference in underrepresented communities — smaller dollar amount but a genuinely live, low-barrier application.

Amount: $5,000, awarded quarterly

Eligibility: US-formed and operating business; demonstrated community impact (job creation, innovation, accessibility); preference for businesses 1+ year old, already generating revenue, and located in high-need ZIP codes/LMI census tracts.

Deadline: Q3 window is open now: July 1–31, 2026.

Apply Now

Unlock the Elite Grant Insider Edition

Don’t leave funding opportunities on the table. Upgrade to the Elite Grant Insider Edition and gain access to exclusive grant opportunities, expert guidance, and resources designed to help you find and pursue more funding with confidence.

As an Elite member, you’ll receive:

✔️ 18 additional hand-curated grant opportunities not available to free subscribers

✔️ Application deadlines organized by urgency, so you know exactly what to prioritize

✔️ Exclusive live monthly grant strategy sessions where you’ll learn how to strengthen your applications and ask questions in real time

✔️ Full access to all session recordings, so you can learn at your own pace

✔️ Off-cycle grant opportunities shared throughout the month, giving you access to funding beyond the monthly list

✔️ VIP invitations to quarterly live coaching sessions with our professional grant writer, where you’ll receive insider tips, guidance, and best practices to help you become more competitive

If you’re serious about growing your business or nonprofit through grant funding, the Elite Grant Insider Edition gives you the tools, opportunities, and support to stay one step ahead.

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Mark. Your. Calendar. 📌

We’re planning a little lunch time date and you’re invited, no need to dress up, just bring your appetite (and your business questions) 😌

Access to Capital and Other Resources

🗓️ July 22, 2026

🕛 12:00 PM EST

📍 Live — link dropping soon

This isn’t your average session. We’ve teamed up with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to bring you real talk about funding, grants, and the resources most small business owners don’t even know exist. Think of it as your lunch break glow-up.

Here’s what’s on the menu:

🍴 An introduction to the SBA (and why they should be on your radar) 🍴 The SBA Resource Partner Network — free training + personalized mentoring 🍴 Access to Capital — SBA-backed loan programs that could change your funding game 🍴 Contracting Opportunities — SBA’s Federal Certification Programs

We’ll also be talking grant opportunities, funding options, and business support services, so come with questions — this is your time to ask an actual SBA rep the things you’ve been Googling at 2 AM. 😅

Your Lunch Date 💫

Rosalind Gibson, SBA Representative

With over 35 years in business development, Rosalind has seen it all. She joined the SBA/North Florida District Office back in 1988 and currently serves as a Lender Relations Specialist and the District Office’s International Trade Officer. Translation: she knows exactly how to help you get funded and connected.

Why You Actually Need to Show Up

Because opportunities like this — free, live, direct access to SBA resources, don’t come around often. This is the kind of hour that can save you months of guesswork (and a whole lot of “wish I knew that sooner”).

So block off your calendar, set a reminder, tell a friend to bring their lunch too. We’ll see you there. 🥗📅

Save the date: July 22, 2026 @ 12:00 PM EST

The link is going to our Elite Subscribers first. Not on the list? Upgrade now — time’s not on your side.

Subscribe now

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This month’s live Grant Session live Q&A was packed with great questions, practical information, and real strategies from our grant writer.

Here are just a few of the questions we answered:

✅ Are grants only for nonprofits?

✅ Has the current administration’s rollback of DEI initiatives made grants harder to get?

✅ Are city and federal grants the only grant opportunities available?

✅ What words or phrases should you avoid in a grant application?

✅ Is it okay to use AI when writing grant responses?

These are the same questions many entrepreneurs are asking, and chances are you’ve wondered about them too.

The full replay is available exclusively for Elite Subscribers. If you’re ready to go beyond searching for grants and learn how to position your business for funding, upgrade today to unlock this training, monthly live Q&A sessions, exclusive grant opportunities, and our growing library of resources.

🎥 Elite Replay

Thank you for being an Elite Subscriber!

In this session, our grant writer shares practical guidance, clears up common misconceptions, and answers questions from business owners looking to become more competitive for grant funding.

As you watch, think about how these insights apply to your own business or non profit organization and jot down action items you can implement before your next application. Feel free drop additional questions below.

🎥 Watch the full replay below.

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If you run a small business or nonprofit in Miramar, stop scrolling.

Commissioner Yvette Colbourne’s Small Business & Nonprofit Grant is live right now, offering up to $5,000 to help local Mom & Pop businesses and nonprofits cover real operating costs, equipment, marketing, tech, lease deposits, and more.

The catch? The window closes Ju…

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Today’s the day. We’re live tonight at 6:30 PM EST for our Ask a Grant Writer Live — Your Questions, Real Answers

Bring whatever questions you’ve got — about the application process, how to strengthen your answers, what reviewers are actually looking for. This is the time to ask.

📣 FREE SUBSCRIBERS — This one’s exclusive to Elite members. If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading, this is your sign. Your Zoom link is waiting right below, all you have to do is upgrade and show up Wednesday night.

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Quick reminder — our Grant Writing Tips live session is this coming Monday, June 29th at 6:30 PM EST.

If you’ve got an application you’re working on, or you’re just trying to figure out where to even start, this is your chance to get direct answers from someone who knows this process inside and out.

Join our 1st quarterly Ask a Grant Writer Live — Your Questions, Real Answers and get real-time insight from a grant writer with 15 years of experience. In this live, interactive event, you’ll learn the basics of what funders look for, how to strengthen your proposals, and how to avoid common mistakes.

Bring your questions — our open Q&A gives you direct access to expert guidance so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

📣 FREE SUBSCRIBERS — This one’s exclusive to Elite members. If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading, this is your sign. Your Zoom link is waiting right below, all you have to do is upgrade and show up Wednesday night.

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Join our 1st quarterly Ask a Grant Writer Live — Your Questions, Real Answers and get real-time insight from a grant writer with 15 years of experience. In this live, interactive event, you’ll learn the basics of what funders look for, how to strengthen your proposals, and how to avoid common mistakes.

Bring your questions our open Q&A gives you direct access to expert guidance so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

🗓️ Monday, June 29th
⏰ 6:30 PM EST
💻 Live on Zoom

Elite Subscribers — you’re already in. Your Zoom link will land in your inbox soon, no action needed on your end.

Free Subscribers — this one’s reserved for Elite members. If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading, this is a good reason to do it now.

Save the date. Come ready to ask whatever’s been on your mind.

UPGRADE TO ELITE

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I know a lot of you are in the middle of grant season right now — drafting, second-guessing your answers, wondering if you’re even doing it right.

So I’m bringing in an expert to walk us through it, live. We’re hosting a Grant Writing Tips session where you can ask real questions and get real answers before you hit submit.

🗓️ Monday, June 29th
⏰ 6:30 PM EST
💻 Live on Zoom

Elite Subscribers — you’re already in. Your Zoom link will land in your inbox soon, no action needed on your end.

Free Subscribers — this one’s reserved for Elite members. If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading, this is a good reason to do it now.

Save the date. Come ready to ask whatever’s been on your mind.

UPGRADE TO ELITE

Leave a comment

Get more from Patrina Dixon in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

I recorded a little video for you today (yes, I’m rocking my comfy white tee 😅☕) talking about why downloading the Substack app is honestly a game changer.

It makes everything easier, getting notified the moment a new post drops, reading on the go, and staying connected without missing a thing. 📱💛

If you haven’t downloaded it yet, now’s the time! Grab the app here 👇

Get more from Patrina Dixon in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

Let’s make staying in the loop the easy part. 🙌

Leave a comment

I want to make sure you don’t miss this one, especially with the deadline coming up fast.

Kirabo Equity is offering The Kirabo Grant: $5,000 in non-dilutive funding for visionary founders and small business owners from historically under-resourced communities.

That means:

• $5,000 cash — no equity given up

• A complimentary Kirabo member…

Read more

This month my team and I reviewed over 100 grant opportunities and narrowed them down to the 23 most relevant funding opportunities for small business owners.

In this issue you’ll find grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000+, including opportunities for women-owned businesses, startups, nonprofits, and established companies.

One grant in this month’s issue could potentially fund a new website, equipment purchase, expansion project, or marketing campaign.

This Month’s Funding Opportunities

Category Number Available

Women-Owned Businesses 2

Black-Owned Businesses. 3

Startups. 3

General Small Business. 5

Nonprofits. 9

Accelerator program. 1

Total Funding Featured: $925,250.00

Grant of the Month

1. Allstate Main Street Grants Program

Award Amount: $20,000 (100 winners selected from the Boost Camp cohort)

Eligibility:

• For-profit business registered in the U.S., D.C., or Puerto Rico

• Business owner must be 18+ (19+ in AL and NE)

• Must have generated at least $25,000 in revenue in 2025

• Cannot have participated in a Hello Alice Boost Camp in the past 12 months

• Must be willing to complete a 12-week virtual Boost Camp starting July 2026

Deadline: June 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET

Why We Selected It: This one stands out because it's not just a check — it's $20,000 AND 12 weeks of business coaching, strategy, and peer support rolled into one. Their own data shows 82% of participants walk away more confident and better positioned to get future funding. If you're a for-profit business that's already generating revenue, this is one of the strongest opportunities in this issue.

Apply Now

Grant Coach Corner

Before applying for any grant this month, make sure you have these 3  things ready:

1. The specific audience you serve

2. How you would use the funds

3. Description of your business or mission of your non-profit organization.

Need help getting grant-ready?

Download the Grant Guide here.

2.The Journey For Good Foundation Award Amount

Eligibility: Nonprofits in the U.S. and Canada with strong leadership, sound financial management, and a commitment to partnerships. Focus areas include hunger/nutrition, workforce development, education, and veteran support.

Deadline: September 15, 2026 (for October board meeting).

Apply Now

3. The Cigna Group Foundation — Improving Veteran Mental Health Grant Award

Amount: $150,000 (one-year grant)

Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations serving veterans in one of 10 priority states: Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas. Programs must focus on housing stability, rental/mortgage assistance, or wraparound services for veterans.

Deadline: July 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET

Apply Now

Want the Full List + Application Strategy?

You’re currently seeing only a small portion of this month’s funding opportunities.

Inside the Elite (Paid) Grant Insider Edition, you’ll get:

✔️ Full list of 20 additional curated grants

✔ Direct application links (no searching required)

✔ Application deadlines organized by urgency

✔ Exclusive, live monthly sessions

✔️ Access to live recording

✔️ Off Cycle grant opportunities

✔ Bonus: Grant Readiness resource or template

💡 The goal is simple:

Not just a longer list, more information for better decisions and faster applications.

👉🏽 Upgrade to unlock the full funding list.

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That's why I'm excited to announce that the Wealth Empowerment Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to financial education, entrepreneurship, and wealth-building opportunities, is partnering with the Jacksonville Waves Women Basketball Team for their game on Friday, June 19, at 7:00 PM. Grab tickets here 👉🏽 TICKETS

The timing makes this partnership especially meaningful.

June 19 marks Juneteenth, a day that commemorates freedom, resilience, progress, and the ongoing pursuit of opportunity. It is a reminder that empowerment comes in many forms such education, economic opportunity, community support, and access to resources that help individuals and families build brighter futures.

This is why this partnership matters.

When you purchase your ticket through our dedicated link, a portion of the proceeds will directly support the Wealth Empowerment Initiative's programs and community outreach efforts. Your support helps us continue providing financial education, entrepreneurship resources, and wealth-building opportunities throughout our community. Grab you ticket now 👉🏽 tickets

By attending the game, you're doing more than supporting a basketball team. You're supporting local women athletes, investing in community impact, and helping expand opportunities for individuals and families throughout Jacksonville.

I hope you'll join me in celebrating Juneteenth through community, connection, and collective impact.

Let's fill the stands, support the Jacksonville Waves women basketball team, and demonstrate what is possible when a community comes together for a common purpose.

Jacksonville Waves Basketball Game

Date: Friday, June 19

Tip off: 7:00 PM

Please be sure to purchase your tickets through our dedicated link so your purchase supports the Wealth Empowerment Initiative.

Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us continue the work of empowering individuals and strengthening communities.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Your business bestie,

Patrina

P.s. - this is a photo of me at the Jacksonville Waves season opening game.

About Wealth Empowerment Initiative

Wealth Empowerment Initiative’s mission is to empower individuals aged 17-54 with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to achieve financial independence and build lasting wealth. Through comprehensive education, personalized support, and community engagement, we aim to foster financial confidence and economic growth for individuals at every stage of their lives.

Thursday’s live session with Nicole Terry did not disappoint.

If you were there, you already know. If you missed it — no worries, we’ve got you covered.

Nicole walked us through exactly how to use AI as a business owner without needing a tech background, and the room was locked in from start to finish.

Here’s a quick recap of what was covered:

✔ A simple framework to start using AI right away

✔ 3 ways to save up to 10 hours every single week

✔ Copy-and-paste prompts you can use today

✔ How AI supports your work without replacing YOU

✔ Automation strategies to help you scale

✔ A take-home resource guide to keep the momentum going

Whether you missed it, want to rewatch a specific part, or just need to take notes at your own pace — the full recording is available now exclusively for Elite members.

Upgrade to Elite and watch now

Already an Elite member? Your recording is ready and waiting.

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The St. Johns County Chamber (SJCC) announces the Pitch Factory in collaboration with Jacksonville Women’s Business Center.

This entrepreneurial program is a training course for St. Johns County business owners, entrepreneurs and new startups.

After learning business fundamentals such as value proposition, business model, revenue streams, capability statements, and various pitch formats, you will participate in a pitch competition for your chance to earn a cash prize of up to $1000!

The five-week workshop series will take place every Tuesday in June from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm (June 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th)

Thank you to our Sponsor: DLP Bank

https://jaxwbc.com/events/st-johns-pitch-factory-3/

Picture Friday morning. You wake up, open your laptop, and instead of dreading your to-do list, you actually have a plan. A prompt ready to go. A workflow that doesn’t depend on you having a good brain day.

That’s 24 hours from now. And it all starts tonight.

Nicole Terry goes live at 6:00 PM ET and she’s not coming to talk at you. She’s coming to show you — live, hands-on, step by step — how AI fits into your actual day. The messy, full, never-enough-hours kind of day that you actually live.

📅 TONIGHT | Thursday, May 28, 2026

⏰ 6:00 PM ET

💻 Zoom — Your link is below!

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It’s Wednesday. Which means tomorrow, you’ve got one more chance to sit down at your desk and do everything the long way, or not.

Because tomorrow evening, Nicole Terry is going live and she is going to show you, in real time, how to stop reinventing the wheel every single time you sit down to work.

We’re talking about the proposal you’ve rewritten four times. The email you’ve been overthinking for two days. The social post that never went up because you couldn’t find the words. AI handles the first draft. You bring the magic. And the whole thing takes minutes, not hours.

Nicole has 20+ years of experience making complicated things simple, and tomorrow night she’s bringing every bit of that to your screen. One hour. Live. No fluff.

📅 Thursday, May 28, 2026

⏰ 6:00 PM ET

💻 Live on Zoom

Zoom link below:

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In case you missed it, we’ve got something special coming your way on Thursday, May 28th, and we want to make sure it’s on your radar.

Nicole Terry, Founder of JAM AI Solutions, is our special guest on our upcoming live session designed specifically for business owners who are tired of working harder than they need to.

Here’s a quick reminder of what you’ll walk away with:

• A simple framework to start using AI right away

• 3 ways to save up to 10 hours every single week

• Copy-and-paste prompts — ready to go

• Clarity on how AI supports your work without replacing YOU

• Automation strategies to help you scale your efforts

• A take-home resource guide to keep the momentum going

This isn’t about being a tech wizard. It’s about working smarter so you can get your time back.

⏰ Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 6:00 PM ET | Live on Zoom

📣 FREE SUBSCRIBERS — This one’s exclusive to Elite members. If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading, this is your sign. Your Zoom link is waiting right below, all you have to do is upgrade and show up Wednesday night.

Read more