Skip Instant Grant

The Queens Flash Grants program awards Queens, New York small businesses with $1,000 microgrants to help solve small but nagging business problems (fixing a broken AC unit, updating an outdated menu, replacing a worn awning, or covering similar minor operational needs where margins simply do not leave room for the expense). Five grants are awarded per cycle. Administered by the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC), a nonprofit that has supported Queens businesses since 1977, and sponsored by Maspeth Federal Savings, the program is intentionally designed to be quick, low-friction, and accessible to small operators who may not have the bandwidth for lengthy grant applications. The application process is intentionally simple: applicants must complete a standard QEDC client intake form and submit a single-paragraph pitch describing how they would use the money by the program's deadline. Winners are selected at the sole discretion of QEDC and Maspeth Federal Savings, and applications do not guarantee funding. To qualify, applicants must be a business currently operating in Queens or with imminent plans to open in Queens. Home-based businesses run by Queens residents are eligible. Nonprofits, government entities, political organizations, and private individuals are not eligible. All applicants agree to receive communications from QEDC and Maspeth Federal Savings about this initiative and other programs, and consent to QEDC and Maspeth Federal Savings using their name, business description, and relevant imagery in marketing and communications related to the program if selected.

The TVFCU Idea Leap Grant is an annual pitch competition that awards a total of $300,000 in no-strings grant funding to 15 small businesses across three regional competitions, with $100,000 in prizes distributed within each region. Administered by Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union (TVFCU) and now in its 10th annual competition, the program is funded through proceeds from TVFCU's Idea Leap Loans program and was created to reinvest those proceeds directly into local small businesses. Since launching in 2018, the program has supported nearly 90 businesses with roughly $1.2 million in total grants and scholarships. Within each of the three competing regions (the Chattanooga Region, the Ocoee Region, and the Northwest Georgia Region), the top winner receives a $50,000 grand prize, one winner receives $20,000, and three winners receive $10,000. Winners also receive prize packages that may include media packages, consulting services, and additional promotional support from regional chambers of commerce and media partners. Applicants must apply to only one of the three regional competitions based on the primary area where their business operates. The competition process runs across roughly seven months, beginning with an online application in the fall and progressing through several selection rounds: quarterfinalists submit a video and logo for judge review, semifinalists receive on-site business visits and are featured in promotional videos (which air on Local 3 for the Northwest Georgia and Ocoee competitions), finalists are selected by the judging panel with one additional People's Choice finalist selected by public vote, and finalists then receive professional pitch coaching before presenting live at regional pitch competitions in the spring. Applications are reviewed initially by an internal panel of TVFCU employees and then by external community volunteers, who serve as judges through each round including the final pitch competitions. To qualify, applicants must operate a business physically located within TVFCU's 17-county service area, which includes six counties in the Chattanooga Region (Bledsoe, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, Rhea, and Sequatchie), four counties in the Ocoee Region (Bradley, Polk, McMinn, and Meigs), and seven counties in the Northwest Georgia Region (Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Gordon, Murray, Walker, and Whitfield). Applicants must be at least 18 years old, operate an active and lawful for-profit business with all necessary licenses and registrations, have been in operation and generating revenue for at least 12 months, gross less than $2.5 million in revenue, and have between 2 and 25 employees. Nonprofit organizations are not eligible. Applicants do not need to be TVFCU members to apply, but finalists selected to receive grant funding must open a TVFCU account to receive their winnings. Past applicants who have not made it to the pitch competition round are encouraged to reapply.

The Cybersecurity Adoption Program (CAP) is designed to support Connecticut manufacturing companies seeking Cyber Security assessments and CMMC Certification. The goal is to help companies striving to meet federal cybersecurity requirements. Up to $10K can used for a Cyber Assessment with the balance allocated to remediation. Eligible companies can apply for grant funding up to $35,000 in total to assist with cyber security assessments and CMMC adoption. Participating companies must pay half the cost. The program is administered by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology with funding provided through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development's Manufacturing Innovation Fund.

The Raleigh Impact Partner Grant awards $20,000 grants to entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and small businesses in Raleigh for innovative pilot projects that promote environmental resilience and sustainable, community-based solutions. Administered by the City of Raleigh's Strategy and Innovation department, the program is designed to fuel economic opportunity through sustainable innovation and support new ideas that improve Raleigh's business ecosystem. Awardees receive grant funding along with technical support, citywide visibility, and connections to local networks that help accelerate the impact of their projects. The grant prioritizes proposals across a range of focus areas, including climate resilience and environmental protection; repair, reuse, and zero-waste models; clean energy and sustainable infrastructure; and sustainable business practices and community well-being. Topics of particular interest include reducing urban heat islands, flood mitigation, low-emission transportation, energy savings and battery storage, e-waste reduction, the circular economy, sustainable jobs and skill-building, and the integration of sustainability into health and wellness.

Santander's Cultivate Small Business program helps early-stage entrepreneurs in the food industry, with a focus on historically underserved businesses. Through this program, business owners participate in a 12-week virtual education curriculum that includes mentorship and networking. Business owners also receive up to $20,000 in capital grants. To qualify, you must have been in business for at least one year, have between one and 10 full-time employees and have generated between $25,000 and $1 million in revenue in the past year.