Credibly Small Business Award 2025

The Bluegrass State Skills Corporation’s Grant-in-Aid Program reimburses businesses in specific industries for the cost of training their employees. Businesses can get a cash grant reimbursement for up to 50% of eligible training costs, up to $75,000.

The Sky's the Limit Entrepreneur Grants program awards monthly startup grants of up to $2,500 to entrepreneurs, with new funding opportunities opening each month. Administered by Sky's the Limit, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities, the program is funded through partnerships with major corporate sponsors and operates as a recurring pitch-based opportunity: members sign up on the Sky's the Limit platform, submit a pitch describing their business, and are considered for that month's grant pool. In addition to grant funding, members of the platform gain access to one-on-one mentorship from a global network of business advisors, step-by-step guides for working through key business milestones, members-only workshops and events, and pitch competitions. The program is part of Sky's the Limit's broader mission to help early-stage entrepreneurs build meaningful relationships, access capital, and grow sustainable businesses.

The King County Community Reinvestment Small Business Grant provides King County small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs with workforce-focused grants ranging from $3,500 to $10,000 to support business startup, recovery, or growth. Funded by the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) through Washington State's Community Reinvestment Program and administered locally by the Seattle Latino Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (SLMCC) and Tabor 100, the program offers three tiers tailored to a business's current stage: Tier 1 — Start Up ($3,500) for businesses just beginning or working toward their first hire, Tier 2 — Recovery ($6,500) for businesses with employees that have faced challenges and need to stabilize their workforce, and Tier 3 — Growth ($10,000) for established businesses ready to create new jobs, increase wages, or build advancement pathways. Approximately 28 grants are distributed across the tiers from a total pool of $200,000. Funds may be used for training, equipment, inventory, marketing, licensing, wages for new hires, software, and capital improvements, with all approved uses required to connect to workforce outcomes such as hiring, retention, wage improvement, or workforce capacity-building. Working capital, land or building acquisition, and debt repayment are not eligible uses. Eligible applicants must either be a small business with 50 employees or fewer holding an active business license in King County (nonprofits included), or an individual living in King County who plans to start a business there during the grant period. Funding is prioritized for businesses owned and operated by Black, Latine, Native American, Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander individuals, as well as Economic Security for All (EcSA) participants and businesses that employ or plan to hire EcSA participants.

The Seattle Back to Business Program provides Seattle small businesses with reimbursement grants to recover from vandalism and property damage and to invest in preventive security measures. Administered by the Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) , the program builds on the original Storefront Repair Fund (which ran from 2022 to 2024) and consolidates two. The first grant pathway is the Storefront Repair Fund, which reimburses up to $3,000 per incident for the cost of repairing storefront property damage such as broken doors, locks, fences, gates, signs, and windows; businesses may apply for up to three separate incidents that occurred on or after July 1, 2024. The second is the Storefront Security Fund, which provides a one-time reimbursement of up to $6,000 to fund preventive security improvements such as window or door reinforcement, locks, signs, security window film, and shatterproof glass; applicants must first complete a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) security assessment with a certified expert, and only purchases made after that assessment qualify. Both grants operate as reimbursements, meaning eligible expenses must be paid before applying. To qualify, businesses must be independently owned and non-chain, located within Seattle city limits, have no more than 50 full-time equivalent employees and no more than three locations, generate between $1,000 and $7 million in annual net revenue, and have been in operation for at least 12 months. Priority is given to small businesses owned by people of color, women-owned businesses, and businesses located in highly distressed census tracts. Graffiti removal, security cameras, and loss of stolen goods are not eligible expenses under either fund.