Fort Wayne SEED Business Grant

The Shophand $5k Small Business Boost Grant awards U.S. small business owners with a $5,000 total package (split evenly between $2,500 in no-strings-attached cash and $2,500 in Shophand technical support and services) to help them overcome their biggest tech or operational challenge. Administered by Shophand, a small business support platform that blends AI tools with human help for non-techie entrepreneurs, the grant is awarded three times per year on a rolling application schedule. Winners can direct their $2,500 in Shophand services toward AI tools and automation, creative and media support, marketing and tech support, an operations overhaul, software setup, dedicated one-on-one help from a personal Shophand, or a combination of these depending on their biggest challenge. To qualify, applicants must operate a for-profit business (nonprofits are not eligible) that is actively operating rather than idea-stage, based in the United States, has fewer than 50 employees, generates under $5 million in annual revenue, and follows Shophand on Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Solopreneurs are welcome, and Shophand does not weigh applications based on revenue, social following, or popularity. Applications are reviewed based on clarity, need, and impact, with reviewers looking for a clear business story, a meaningful challenge tied to Creative and Media, Development and IT, Finance, Management, Marketing and Sales, or Operations and Customer Experience, a clear sense of how the Boost could help, and demonstrated commitment to improving the business. Preference (but not a requirement) is given to applicants who have used a paid "Your Shophand" service during the current application cycle, since the program aims to support business owners actively investing in improving their systems. Most Boost support is delivered within four to eight weeks of the winner's onboarding call.

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) internship program provides grant awards to Iowa businesses to help them support and grow student internship opportunities in STEM fields with the goal of transitioning student interns to full-time employment in Iowa upon graduation. Eligible employers may qualify for awards up to $50,000 per fiscal year.

The Opportunity Council Districts Program, an incentive-based initiative focused on encouraging growth in retail-stagnant areas within City Council Districts 3 and 5. The program will provide funding for property improvements to help businesses expand and attract new investment in Athenas, Alabama. Eligible small businesses can apply for incentive awards of up to $20,000 for one-time, permanent upgrades. The funding is split evenly, with $100,000 allocated to each district.

The Lifting Up Small Businesses in Woodbridge Grant provides Woodbridge, New Jersey small businesses with $5,000 grants to support business expansion and growth-related activities, with 25 businesses selected to receive funding. Administered through a partnership between Optimum Business and the Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce, the program is designed to strengthen and empower the local small business community and foster broader economic growth across the Woodbridge area. To be eligible, applicants must operate a business with a brick-and-mortar location in one of ten designated Woodbridge zip codes, have 10 or fewer full-time employees, and be in good standing with all federal, state, and local laws and taxing jurisdictions. Eligible business entity types include Business Corporations, Not-for-Profit Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, General Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, and Sole Proprietorships. Each applicant must designate a Primary Contact who is at least 18 years old, owns at least 51 percent (or is the largest equity owner) of the business, and is duly authorized to apply on behalf of the company. All applicants must agree to a background check. Previous Lifting Up Small Business Grant recipients are not eligible to reapply. Woodbridge Chamber of Commerce membership and Optimum Business customer status are not considered in the evaluation, and applicants who are not current Chamber members receive a 6-month complimentary membership upon applying. Grant funds may be used solely for business expansion and growth-related activities and cannot be used to pay past or existing debt. Approved grants are distributed by check made out to the business.

Binc helps bookstore owners, booksellers, and comic store employees and owners with unforeseen emergency financial needs. The Foundation assesses each request to determine how best to provide relief. If approved, grants are typically paid to third-party vendors.