We’ve compiled a list of grants and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs. These programs support sectors like dental, medical, childcare, and tourism. Our resources focus on key areas of business growth: renovations, marketing, community upgrades, and branding. They’re designed to help child-focused businesses improve their spaces, strengthen their services, and achieve lasting success.
SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS
Caring for Michigan Future: Facilities Improvement Fund
CFMF FIF is a grant program to distribute $50 million to new and expanding child care education providers across the State of Michigan in order to renovate and upgrade their child care facilities to accommodate additional child care slots, especially in geographic areas with limited providers.
$50 Million in funding available
WomensNet Amber Grants for Women Entreprenuers
In 1998, WomensNet founded the Amber Grant. One of the very first online organizations to give women-owned business grants, the Amber Grant was set up to honor the memory of Amber Wigdahl. She was a special young woman who died at just 19 years old, before realizing her business dreams. We’ve carried on that tradition by giving away three $10,000 Amber Grants every month to three woman entrepreneurs… And by giving away three additional annual $25,000 Amber Grants to a trio of the preceding 36 monthly Amber Grant winners.
$10,000 – $25,000
San Francisco Accessibility Grant
Small business owners in San Francisco can apply for this grant to enhance accessibility in their establishments.
Up to $10,000
Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)
The Employee Retention Credit, is a stimulus program established by the CARES Act. This refundable tax credit functions as a grant that helps businesses impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FedEx Small Business Grants
Since 2012, the FedEx Small Business Grant has awarded U.S. based small businesses with grants to be applied towards growing or enhancing their business. Fed Ex has given away $1.9 million to help small businesses thrive.
Up to $30,000
USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas to community-based non-profit coporations. Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses. Examples of essential community facilities include: Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools as well as health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards
The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards, initiated by Cartier in 2006, empower women impact entrepreneurs worldwide in various sectors, focusing on social and environmental sustainability.
IFundWomen Universal Grant Application
This is a resource for female entrepreneurs seeking grants. Through partnerships with brands like Visa, Caress, and COMCAST, IFundWomen has deployed over $170 million in grants to entrepreneurs.
The Kitty Fund
The Kitty Fund —named for Catherine “Kitty” Abrams Tadlock Webster, the mother of Founder’s First CEO Kim Folsom — will award a total of $25,000 to 25 small business owners who identify as mothers in 2024. Eligible businesses must be based in the U.S., have annual revenues under $5M, and employ between 2 to 50 people.
$25,000
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants
The Kitty Fund —named for Catherine “Kitty” Abrams Tadlock Webster, the mother of Founder’s First CEO Kim Folsom — will award a total of $25,000 to 25 small business owners who identify as mothers in 2024. Eligible businesses must be based in the U.S., have annual revenues under $5M, and employ between 2 to 50 people.
$4000
Veteran Small Business Award
The Veteran Small Business Award provided by StreetShares Foundation awards up to $15,000 to veterans or spouses of veterans that own over 50% of the business. It’s mission is to inspire, educate, and support veterans as they start small businesses.
$15,000
DENTAL & MEDICAL GRANTS
CVS Health Foundation Grants
Grants are awarded to free and charitable clinics, school-based health centers and community health centers nationwide to increase access to care and improve health outcomes for people of all ages.
$50 Million in funding available
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Grant
Selected applicants can receive one-year grants of up to $20,000, supporting community-based initiatives in the U.S. that provide dental care and ultimately serve as a primary dentist to underserved/limited access children.
Up to $20,000
DAYCARE & EARLY EDUCATION GRANTS
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC)
The Office of Early Childhood (OEC), through the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), is offering grants to child care programs for construction, renovation, and quality improvement projects. We have $13 million in funding available from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
$20,000
The Dekko Foundation
At the Dekko Foundation, our mission is fostering economic freedom through education. Our grantmaking is focused on projects that support the healthy development of children from birth to age 18, in the states of Alabama, Indiana, Minnesota, and Iowa.
$25,000
Kaboom! Playground Grants
KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America.
First Book
First Book empowers educators with an unprecedented choice of high quality books and materials. Over 31 years, First Book has distributed more than 225 million high-quality books and educational resources to support kids, and the educators who serve them.
Crayola Cares Grants
Crayola’s “Crayola Cares” program provides cash grants to schools and nonprofits in select counties in PA and NJ—grant types include:
Community Grants: support nonprofit art/education programming with awards ranging from $500 to $10,000.
Art in Education Grants: up to $250 cash plus matching in-kind product for individual K–8 educators, or $500 total for educator teams.
Up to $10,000
American Electric Power Foundation
The American Electric Power Foundation is funded by American Electric Power and its operating subsidiaries. The Foundation provides a permanent, ongoing resource for charitable initiatives in the communities served by AEP and initiatives outside of AEP’s 11-state service area.
TangerKids Grant Program
The American Electric Power Foundation is funded by American Electric Power and its operating subsidiaries. The Foundation provides a permanent, ongoing resource for charitable initiatives in the communities served by AEP and initiatives outside of AEP’s 11-state service area.
U.S. Department of Education Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities
The Preschool Grants program provides formula grants to states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to make available special education and related services for children with disabilities aged 3 through 5.
Bank of America Grants & Sponsorships
At Bank of America, we drive responsible growth and help address society’s biggest challenges. One way we do this is by helping to build thriving communities by addressing issues fundamental to economic mobility, including workforce development and education, community development and basic needs.
CHURCH GRANTS
Oldham Little Church Foundation
Facility Completion Grants are provided to churches across the United States. Awards are considered for a specific item(s) within a building repair, renovation, or new construction project that would be needed to help the church finish their project.
Up to $5000
LIBRARY GRANTS
American Library Association Engagement Grant
The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant is an annual grant to recognize, promote, and support innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries. Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with community members – be they library patrons, residents, faculty, students, or local organizations – to address issues for the betterment of the community.
$2000
ALA Library Building Capacity Grants
The ALA Building Library Capacity Grants will assist libraries at academic Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) across the United States and US Territories that have experienced economic hardship due the consequences of the pandemic and its aftermath, which has impacted their ability to serve their students, especially traditionally underserved populations.
$10,000
Washington State Department of Commerce Library Capital Improvement Program
The Library Capital Improvement Program was created by the Legislature in their 2019 Regular Session to assist libraries operated by governmental units, as defined in RCW 27.12.010 to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate their facilities. Priority is given to library facilities listed on local, state, or federal registers of historic places and those located in distressed or rural areas.
Maximum $2 million with 50% match
Nebraska Library Improvement Grants
In 2024 the Nebraska Library Commission will award federal funds to libraries through a competitive grant process. These funds are provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, with funds administered through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
Lowe’s Hometowns Community Impact Grants
An annual corporate grant program by Lowe’s that funds 100 community projects each year, including library makeovers. Grants must finance physical improvements to community spaces – for example, remodeling children’s rooms or creative decor installations.
USDA Community Facilities Grants (Rural U.S.)
A federal program providing loans and grants for essential community facilities in rural areas (towns <20,000 population). Funds can be used to construct or renovate library buildings, upgrade interiors, or purchase equipment.
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Capital Grants
A provincial grant program that supports community facility improvements in Ontario.
$10,000 to $200,000
Alberta Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP)
Grants in support of construction or upgrade of community facilities, including libraries.
$125,000 up to 1 Million
ZOO, MUSEUM, & AQUARIUM GRANTS
Inspire! Grants for Small Museums
Inspire! Grants for Small Museums is a special initiative of the Museums for America program. It is designed to support small museums of all disciplines in project-based efforts to serve the public through exhibitions, educational/interpretive programs, digital learning resources, policy development and institutional planning, technology enhancements, professional development, community outreach, audience development, and/or collections management, curation, care, and conservation.
Between $5,000 and $25,000 – no cost share required
Between $25,001 and $75,000 – equal to or greater cost share
New York State Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquaria (ZBGA)
ZBGA is an eligibility-based grant program that provides consistent operational support for existing natural heritage collections and interpretive programs, with the goal of elevating and expanding the quantity and quality of natural heritage learning opportunities available to the public. ZBGA provides reimbursement for expenses related to the care, maintenance, security and interpretation of eligible collections. Funds are made available through an appropriation from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund and administered through the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP).