Virginia Global Business Internship Program

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 Cannabis Business Assistance Loan/Grant Fund (CBAF) is a financing resource operated by the Maryland Department of Commerce (Commerce), to provide grants and loans for small businesses, including small, minority-owned and small women-owned businesses entering the adult-use cannabis industry. CBAF may also provide grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for cannabis-related programs and to business development organizations, including incubators, to train and assist small businesses, including minority and women business owners and entrepreneurs, seeking to become licensed to participate in the adult-use cannabis industry.

The Famous Amos Ingredients for Success (IFS) Entrepreneurs Initiative is an annual national award program launched by Ferrero North America in 2020. IFS creates pathways for early-stage Black business owners to thrive by providing $150,000 in capital awards, mentorship, networking, and educational resources. Honoring Wally Amos’ legacy and the “Famously You” ethos, this initiative celebrates the qualities that make each business owner unique and fosters long-term success for their businesses. Black small business owners are invited to apply by submitting a short video pitch. Entries are judged by a panel of renowned Black entrepreneurs, and 10 finalists are selected to compete in the next round. Ultimately, three winners will each be awarded $50,000 and access to mentorship, educational resources, and networking opportunities.

The Sunny Day fund supports extraordinary economic development opportunities that create and retain employment as well as create significant capital investments. Projects must generate significant jobs in areas of high unemployment; they are evaluated on a competitive basis and must be consistent with the state's strategic economic development plan.

The IHCC Small Business Microgrant provides Illinois small businesses affected by federal immigration enforcement activities with grants of $5,000 to help cover essential business expenses such as rent, employee wages, and inventory. Administered by the IHCC Foundation, the 501(c)(3) arm of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and supported by the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust, the program is part of the IHCC's broader Resilient Communities Initiative, which is focused on helping small businesses in immigrant-heavy communities across Chicago and the suburbs weather reduced foot traffic, staff shortages, and other operational disruptions. A total of 52 grants of $5,000 each are being distributed across three phases of funding, with each phase focused on specific communities throughout Chicagoland to equitably disperse funds across affected areas. Recent and upcoming phases have prioritized businesses located in Pilsen, Brighton Park, McKinley Park, Archer Heights, Back of the Yards, Little Village, Chicago Lawn, West Lawn, Berwyn, and Cicero. To qualify, businesses must have been in operation for at least two years, be registered with the State of Illinois (either as an LLC in good standing or as a sole proprietor registered with the city or municipality), have 10 or fewer employees, and submit a copy of their business license. Only one business or location per owner is eligible. As part of the application, businesses must submit a written explanation (100 to 250 words) describing how the actions of immigration authorities have affected their business, including any documented loss of income and specific timelines (reduced foot traffic, drop in sales, reduced hours, event cancellations, or similar impacts). The strongest applications are those that clearly describe how the business was directly affected via loss of revenue.