Digital Sandbox KC

Support for female entrepreneurs with businesses that address social issues. EmpowHer grants support women who need early-stage business capital, a network of business advisors, or both. Grantees will have access to financial, marketing, leadership, and sector professionals who can advise on business focus, next steps, and longer-range planning. As an entrepreneur, you’re not alone: our network is full of people who have been in your shoes.

The goal of the NHLBI Catalyze Program is to provide a comprehensive suite of support and services to facilitate the transition of basic science discoveries into viable diagnostic and therapeutic candidates that have been cleared for human testing, and to develop translational researchers fluent in product development and entrepreneurship. This specific Catalyze Enabling Technologies and Transformative Platforms initiative will support needed to rigorously validate transformative, multi-use platforms or technologies that can enable. Well-suited applications must offer the potential to significantly accelerate and/or transform the areas of early detection and screening, model development, clinical diagnosis, treatment, control, behavior, prevention or epidemiology. Proposed platforms and technologies may have widespread applicability but must be able to improve the outlook for HLBS-related diseases and disorders.

The Hey Helen Grant is a privately funded initiative by Visionaries that invests in women entrepreneurs building impact-driven, for-profit businesses in the U.S. Each grant cycle, one founder will receive a $10,000 unrestricted cash award — designed to fuel whatever moves your business forward, whether that’s operations, growth, marketing, hiring, or infrastructure. Grant cycles close at the end of April, August, and December. This grant is open to businesses that are 100% women-owned, generate less than $1M in annual revenue, and are legally registered in the United States. Nonbinary applicants assigned female at birth or who feel aligned with the intent of the grant are also welcome to apply. If you’re building something with purpose, grit, and integrity — and just need a little extra backing to take the next leap — you’re in the right place.

Grants for Growth is Verity Credit’s Union’s new community investment program designed to help small businesses across Washington State create meaningful, lasting change in their communities. This grant provides flexible capital to small businesses often shut out of traditional funding—especially those led by BIPOC, immigrant, LGBTQIA+, women, low-income, or veteran entrepreneurs. Flexible funding gives small business owners the freedom to decide where funds will make the greatest impact. Rather than being tied to a specific program or expense, these grants allow entrepreneurs to invest in what their business needs most—whether it’s stabilizing operations, purchasing equipment, expanding marketing efforts or preparing for growth.

The Charlotte Business Matching Grants program provides commercial property owners and businesses in Charlotte with matching reimbursement grants of up to $90,000 to improve building appearance, enhance safety, and upgrade interior spaces. Administered by the City of Charlotte's Economic Development Department, the program is offered through three grant pathways covering exterior renovations, interior upgrades, and security improvements. Across all three tracks, the city reimburses 50% of eligible project costs up to the maximum grant award, with reimbursement issued after project completion, inspection, and submission of paid receipts. Eligible applicants include owners or tenants of for-profit commercial buildings located within the eligible geography, as well as national or regional chains headquartered in the Charlotte MSA. Vacant buildings may also qualify if the project is intended to attract eligible tenants. The Façade Improvement Grant provides up to $90,000 for commercial property owners and tenants renovating building exteriors and bringing signs, landscaping, and parking into compliance with city code. Eligible improvements include approved architectural façade renovations, signage and parking upgrades, landscaping, and infrastructure improvements in the public right-of-way, with an additional reimbursement of up to $3,000 available for architectural fees. The Interior Upfit Improvement Grant provides up to $30,000 to support renovations that enhance the functionality and code compliance of interior commercial spaces. Eligible improvements include HVAC, fire suppression, plumbing, and electrical systems; flooring, lighting, and wall reconfiguration; and interior restrooms and utility upgrades. The Security Improvement Grant provides up to $5,000 for a single business or up to $20,000 for shopping centers with three or more tenants to fund physical security upgrades. Eligible improvements include security lighting, cameras, fencing, locking devices, security windows, alarm systems, ironwork, and trees and shrubbery.