The Artists Respond Grant Program
The Artists Respond grant program awards funds to Connecticut artists for community-based projects that range from large audience events to small group activities. Artist-led projects use the arts to inspire, empower, educate, and transform Connecticut communities.
Connecticut artists may apply for a grant of $3,000 to support artist fees and project related expenses. Apply by October 25, 2023 at 11:59pm. Click here for more information.
Keep It Local Business Fund
Beginning July 26 through September 1, 2023, eligible small businesses can apply for a $5,000 grant through the Keep It Local Business Fund. In addition to the grant, recipients will receive resources and tools to grow their business including pro bono advertising on the Nextdoor (NYSE: KIND) platform and access to personalized training. Click here to apply by September 1 @ 6PM ET.
Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition
A celebration of women who are making their mark on the food, beverage, and CPG industries. Five entrepreneurs pitch their business live in New York City in front of a panel of industry experts. $10,000 no strings attached grand prize + 20 hours of in-kind business services from Enthuse Marketing. Applications open August 21st and are due by October 2nd. Click here for more information.
Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund
To help restaurants recover in times of critical need, DoorDash has partnered with Hello Alice to create the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund. The fund supports restaurants impacted by natural disasters like fires, floods, and hurricanes, and provides relief through $10,000 grants. Click here to apply.
Publish Her Business Impact Grant

Pepper Start-Up Grant
The Pepper Startup Grant is specifically for Black women business owners, a dynamic group that has been systematically disenfranchised when seeking to acquire the necessary venture capital funding to expand their businesses. One recipient will receive a zero strings attached $5,000 financial grant and the following benefits:
- Mentorship calls with the Founders of Pepper
- Dedicated promotion on Pepper’s social media accounts
- Access to consultations with experts in legal, fundraising, finance, marketing, website, and relevant fields as needed, to address your specific needs
Applications are now open and close on August 23, 2023 11:59pm MT. Apply here.
Bold Beginnings

Black Ambition
Through two separate Prize tracks, the Black Ambition Prize competition provides a platform for Black, Hispanic and HBCU-affiliated founders across the nation to access growth capital, pitch feedback, and mentorship. Applications are open now and will be accepted until May 8th. Applications are now closed. Visit blackambitionprize.com for updates on the 2024 Black Ambition Prize timeline
NHE3 Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Initiative

To view full eligibility requirements and instructions for applying for this grant click here
To apply for the grant, register and then log back into eCenter and upload the completed questions from Section A and Section B in a single PDF. Next, upload each of the 10 requirements in Section C as a single PDF into the grant system.
Link to eCenter can be found here.
Please email info@bbusinessalliance.org with any questions
CTNEXT Community Microgrants
Through Community Micro-Grants, CTNext aims to support events, projects and/or organizations that bolster Connecticut’s entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. This includes assistance for for-profit companies, nonprofit organizations and consortia based in Connecticut. Microgrant Applications are currently closed. They will reopen on September 1st, 2023. Check back here for updates.
Community Capital Fund

The Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund
The Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund gives small business owners access to flexible funding for capital expenditures and working capital and connects them with support services. Pre-apply here.
Norwalk for Business Financial Resources

Research & Development Tax Credit
The R&D tax credit is available to companies developing new or improved business components or processes. It is calculated as a percentage of the company’s expenses related to R&D activities. Qualified R&D expenditures can include operating expenses such as wages, materials, and payments to third-party contractors if the activity that gives rise to the expenditure is a qualified research activity. Click here to complete the Research & Development Survey and find out if your business qualifies for the R&D tax credit.
WBDC Funding Opportunities
Through its Opportunity Fund, WBDC is providing the resources needed to help Connecticut’s small businesses thrive. The current grant programs available satisfy a variety of needs for small businesses. View them here.
City-Specific Small Business Grant Programs – New London, Torrington, Waterbury
- $2,500 to $10,000 grants available to qualified small businesses located in each municipality
- Businesses do NOT need to be women-owned to qualify
- Grants awarded for clearly-defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth, and profitability
- Applications open June 21, 2023 and will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted
NAACP Small Business Grants

Fast Break for Small Business

WomensNet
WomensNet gives away at least $10,000 every month to Women-Owned businesses. Whether you’re starting or growing a business, WomensNet can help! Click here to view all grants offered by WomensNet.
Kickass Single Mom Stimulus Grant
Every month, Emma Johnson gives out $500 cash to one single mom, no strings attached. The 2023 Kickass Single Mom Stimulus Grant has one goal: Give a hand to single moms struggling with money, health, stress, child care, illness, and loneliness. Qualifications are simple: 1. You’re a single mom. 2. You need the money right now. Click here to learn more.
America’s Seed Fund
America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF has helped startups and small businesses transform their ideas into marketable products and services. Project Pitches are accepted at any time (24/7) and 365 days a year. Typically, it takes about one month to get an official response from NSF staff. For more information and to apply, click here.
Sephora Accelerate
For the past five years, Sephora Accelerate has been dedicated to building a community of innovative, inspirational founders in beauty. This year we are focused on incubating founders who are people of color. In line with our 15% pledge, and to ensure there are brands representative of the colors, races, and ethnicities that make up America, our commitment this year will be to help bring these brands along. Founders will embark on a six-month journey inclusive of an intensive boot camp where they’ll gain the necessary skills to create a successful business and eventual launch at Sephora, the world’s largest beauty retailer. Applications for Sephora Accelerate 2023 are now closed.
The Coalition to Back Black Businesses
The Coalition to Back Black Businesses is a multi-year initiative to support Black small business owners and the communities they serve as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and chart a path forward. Small businesses are critical parts of communities – the strength of these businesses is essential to the vibrancy of their communities. Applications for the 2023-2024 cohort will open in August. Click here for more information.
Collab Capital
Collab Capital was built to invest financial, human, and network capital to effectively support, grow, and sustain Black-owned innovative businesses. Collab Capital’s mission is to decrease the racial wealth gap by helping Black businesses overcome the funding and network challenges that often stifle their growth. For more information on this initiative click here.
Black Founder Startup Grant
SoGal Foundation has teamed up with Winky Lux, bluemercury, twelveNYC, Twilio, and other sponsors to make a small step towards progress by providing several $10K and $5K cash grants to Black women or nonbinary entrepreneurs. For more information and to apply for this grant click here.
The Sage Invest in Progress Grant

FedEx Small Business Grant Contest

Power Forward Small Business Grant

HerRise Micro-Grant
The HerRise Micro-Grant provides financial support to women of color creating innovative solutions that impact their community and that are often unable to secure funding for their small business. Each month a $500 micro-grant will be awarded to a small business owned by women of color. 2023 applications will be open soon. Apply here.
Fearless Strivers Grant Contest

CCWC Women of Color Entrepreneur Grant
