HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 🦃

While you’re planning Black Friday and holiday sales, don’t sleep on December grant opportunities. Free money doesn’t wait, and several major grants close their applications in the next 30 days.

Here are 5 grants you can apply for RIGHT NOW—with deadlines in December.

1. Amber Grant for Women

Amount: $10,000 (monthly), $25,000 (annual winner)December Deadline: December 31, 2024Eligibility: Women-owned businesses

What It Is:

The Amber Grant awards $10,000 to a woman-owned business every month. At the end of the year, one of the 12 monthly winners receives an additional $25,000.

Who Qualifies:

•Woman business owner

•For-profit business

•Any industry

•Any stage (startup to established)

Application Requirements:

•Basic business information

•Short essay about your business (max 500 words)

•Application fee: $15

Why Apply:

Simple application, fast process, and they fund businesses at all stages. The essay is your chance to tell your story compellingly.

Apply: WomensNet.net/amber-grant

Pro Tip: Focus your essay on your mission, impact, and what the $10K would specifically accomplish. Show passion AND plan.

2. Comcast RISE Investment Fund

Amount: $10,000 (grant) + business servicesDecember Deadline: Ongoing rolling basis (Dec 15 recommended)Eligibility: Small businesses owned by people of color

What It Is:

Comcast RISE provides grants, marketing services, and technology upgrades to small businesses owned by people of color.

Who Qualifies:

•Business owned by person of color (51%+ ownership)

•For-profit

•Operating for 3+ years (some flexibility)

•Located in Comcast service area (check website)

What You Could Receive:

•$10,000 cash grant

•OR business consultation services

•OR technology makeover

•OR creative production services

Application Requirements:

•Business documentation

•Proof of ownership

•Essay about business challenges and goals

Why Apply:

Not just money—you could get a complete marketing and tech overhaul worth $50K+.

Apply: ComcastRISE.com

Pro Tip: Even if you don’t get the cash grant, the services package could be more valuable depending on your needs.

3. FedEx Small Business Grant

Amount: $50,000 (grand prize), $20,000 (runners up - 10 winners)December Deadline: Check website (typically early December)Eligibility: U.S. small businesses

What It Is:

FedEx runs an annual small business grant contest where the public votes on finalists. One grand prize of $50,000 and ten $20,000 prizes.

Who Qualifies:

•Operating for 2+ years

•Headquartered in the U.S.

•For-profit

•Fewer than 99 employees

Application Requirements:

•Business profile

•Video pitch (typically 3-5 minutes)

•Public voting (you’ll need to rally your community)

Why Apply:

Even if you don’t win, the exposure from the contest can bring customers and connections.

Apply: SmallBusinessGrant.FedEx.com

Pro Tip: The video is everything. Make it professional, compelling, and share-worthy. Then MOBILIZE your network to vote.

4. NASE Growth Grant

Amount: Up to $4,000December Deadline: Ongoing (monthly drawings)Eligibility: NASE members (membership required)

What It Is:

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) offers monthly grants to help micro-businesses grow.

Who Qualifies:

•NASE member (membership is ~$120/year)

•Micro-business or self-employed

•For-profit

•Growth-focused project

Grant Can Fund:

•Marketing

•Advertising

•Hiring employees

•Expanding facilities

•Specialized equipment

•Website development

Application Requirements:

•NASE membership

•Project proposal

•Budget breakdown

•How the grant will create growth

Why Apply:

Smaller amount, but less competition than huge national grants. Monthly winners mean better odds.

Apply: NASE.org/grants

Pro Tip: Be specific about ROI. “This $3,000 will fund Facebook ads that should generate $15,000 in sales based on our current conversion rates.”

5. Hello Alice Small Business Grants

Amount: Varies ($5,000-$25,000 depending on program)December Deadline: Ongoing with specific program deadlinesEligibility: Varies by specific grant program

What It Is:

Hello Alice is a platform offering multiple grant programs throughout the year, often partnered with corporations like Mastercard, Visa, and major brands.

Current December Programs:

•General small business grants

•Grants for women of color

•Grants for LGBTQ+ business owners

•Veteran-owned business grants

•Industry-specific grants

Who Qualifies:

Depends on the specific program, but generally:

•Operating business

•Revenue under $1M

•Focus on underrepresented founders

Application Requirements:

•Free Hello Alice account

•Business profile completion

•Specific program applications (essays, financials)

Why Apply:

Multiple programs = multiple chances to win. Plus, the platform provides free business resources even if you don’t win a grant.

Apply: HelloAlice.com/grants

Pro Tip: Complete your full business profile on Hello Alice. Many grants pull from this, and a complete profile increases your chances across ALL programs.

General Grant Application Tips

Before You Apply:

1.Read eligibility requirements carefully (don’t waste time if you don’t qualify)

2.Gather all documents (EIN letter, business license, tax returns, etc.)

3.Write your business story in a Google Doc (reuse for multiple applications)

4.Take professional photos of your business/products

While You Apply:

1.Answer every question thoroughly (incomplete = disqualified)

2.Proofread everything (typos hurt your credibility)

3.Focus on IMPACT not just need (“This will help me grow” vs. “I’m struggling”)

4.Be specific with numbers (revenue, customers, growth projections)

After You Apply:

1.Set calendar reminders for any follow-ups

2.Track all applications in a spreadsheet

3.Keep applying (it’s a numbers game)

4.Don’t stop working while waiting for results

The Reality About Grants

The Good:

•Free money (don’t have to pay back)

•No equity given up

•Builds credibility

The Hard Truth:

•Highly competitive (sometimes 1000+ applications for one grant)

•Time-consuming application process

•Most applications result in “no”

•Can take months to hear back

The Strategy:

Think of grant applications like a part-time side hustle. Dedicate 3-5 hours per week to researching and applying. Over a year, that’s 200+ hours. If you win ONE $10,000 grant, you just earned $50/hour for that time.

But never depend on grants as your only funding strategy. Apply for grants WHILE building business credit, improving cash flow, and pursuing other funding options.

December Action Plan

This Week:

•Apply to at least 2 of the grants above

•Set up Hello Alice profile

•Research January grant deadlines

Next Week:

•Apply to 2-3 more grants

•Follow up on any pending applications

Before December 31:

•Hit as many December deadlines as possible

•Plan January applications

Need help with grant applications or want to explore other funding options? We offer grant support services and can match you with the best funding strategies for your business.

[Contact Us for Funding Support →] https://expertbusinessadvisors.org/contact

Happy Thanksgiving, and happy grant hunting! 🦃💰