Fresh Funding for Fall 🍂 | September Grants Roundup Inside
Curated grant listings for filmmakers, artist, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs.
Hello Business Bestie,
Welcome to the September 2025 edition of our Grant Opportunities Roundup.
Inside, you’ll discover a handpicked selection of funding opportunities tailored for nonprofit leaders, small business owners, and Black-owned businesses driving meaningful change. This month’s roundup spans a variety of industries, with a special spotlight on programs that uplift underrepresented groups and purpose-driven ventures. You’ll also find exciting smaller grants, accelerator programs, and pitch competitions — each one a potential gateway to big opportunities and bold growth.
🏢 Small Business
Funding opportunities for small business owners across industries. Includes grants, competitions, and accelerator programs designed to help grow and scale operations.
📊 Non-Profit
Support for registered nonprofits advancing education, equity, health, and economic development. Includes grants for general operations, programs, and capacity building.
🤝 Self-Organizing “Micro-Trustees”
Funding and resources for grassroots groups and informal collectives working together to drive local impact — even if they’re not a formal nonprofit yet.
🏘 Non-Profit Community Organizations
Grants for neighborhood-based nonprofits and local organizations delivering hands-on community programs and services.
🖤 Black-Owned Small Businesses
Opportunities specifically for Black entrepreneurs and Black-led companies, including grants, accelerator spots, and business growth programs.
❤️ Charities & Non-Profit Organizations
Funding for registered charities and public-benefit organizations supporting social good initiatives, including education, housing, and community development.
👩👧 Mom Entrepreneurs
Support for women balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. Includes grants, fellowships, and mentorship programs created to uplift mom-owned businesses.
🚀 Entrepreneurs
Funding and competitions open to all entrepreneurs, regardless of business size or stage — including pitch contests and innovation challenges.
💻 Early-Stage Tech-Enabled Businesses
Grants and accelerator programs for startups leveraging technology to create scalable solutions. Includes opportunities for founders with new, innovative business models.
1. Awesome Foundation
The Awesome Foundation is a global, community-driven grant program that gives to support creative, innovative, or impactful project ideas — no strings attached. Each chapter operates independently (“micro‑trustees” pooling funds), so eligibility depends on the local chapter (location, themes, or focus areas). Applications are open regularly; you simply submit your idea, and if selected, you receive the grant without having to give up any ownership or produce anything beyond what you propose. Over 7,400 projects have already been funded worldwide.
Amount: $1,000
Eligible locations: United States
Deadline: Monthly
2. Wish Local Empowerment Program
The Wish Local Empowerment Program is a $2 million grant fund designed to uplift Black‑owned small businesses in the United States by awarding grants to approximately 4,000 eligible brick‑and‑mortar stores. To qualify, a business must be majority Black‑owned, have 20 or fewer employees, earn less than $1 million annual revenue, be located in a physical store (not just online), and the owner must be 18+ years old. Winners must join the Wish Local platform, which also offers opportunities like acting as a Wish pickup point, selling inventory via Wish, and gaining access to Wish’s customer base.
Amount: $500 to $2,000
Eligible locations: United States
Deadline: Rolling
3. Galaxy Grant
The Galaxy Grants program, offered through HelloSkip and supported by the nonprofits Galaxy of Stars and Hidden Star, is designed to support women- and minority-owned businesses across the United States. The program is free to apply to, with no application fees, and aims to help small business owners access funding and visibility. Eligibility typically requires the business to be woman- or minority-owned, and applicants may be encouraged to refer others as part of the community-driven model. Selected recipients receive funding to help grow or sustain their businesses.
Amount: $2,950
Eligible locations: United States
Deadline: September 30, 2025
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