As a small business owner, you’re juggling a lot. Operations, marketing, hiring, and much more. The worst thing to worry about, however, is budget.
Being awarded a small business grant gives you new opportunities to accelerate your business forward. Not only will you get funding, but some grants offer support in areas like marketing and technology, lessening these burdens on your shoulders.
Below, I’ve rounded up the grants small business owners can apply for in August, how to apply, and how much you’ll receive.
The Sky is Not the Limit Social Impact Grant
- For: organizations with a clear, measurable social or environmental mission
- Amount: up to $10,000 in services
- Deadline to apply: August 19
Bombshell Impact Design agency is offering this grant on a pro bono basis, for businesses to enhance their marketing strategy.
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The money can be used for professional branding, website design, campaign strategy, content creation, and “AI for Good” services. Investing in your marketing is key if you want to stand out as a brand in 2026, especially as AI content continues to populate today’s social platforms.
The grant is ideal for nonprofits or social enterprises, for example. To apply, you’ll need to submit a 30-60 second video.
Hey Helen Grant
- For: 100% women-owned or non-binary aligned for-profit US businesses generating under $1 million in revenue
- Amount: founder is given $10,000 in unrestricted cash each cycle
- Deadline to apply: August 30
This is a privately funded initiative from Visionaries, offering founders $10,000 each cycle to spend on whatever needs improving in their business. This could be operations and growth, or even infrastructure.
For women and non-binary individuals, this is a great opportunity to prioritize the areas in your business that could use the additional funding.
To apply, heads up, you’ll need to purchase a ticket to the MYP Money Moves Summit, which costs $300. The form does give you a $50 discount, however. The summit includes a pitch competition which will determine who gets the grant. You’ll also need to submit a 60 second reel to Instagram, and tag @_manifestyourpurpose.
Shophand Small Business Boost Grant
- For: small business owners wanting to boost their technological understanding
- Amount: $2,500 in cash, $2,500 in Shophand technical support
- Deadline to apply: December 1
If you’re looking to integrate technology into your business, Shophand offers small business owners both cash and specialist support. This could involve AI tools and automation, creative and media support, marketing and tech support, operations overhaul, software setup, and much more.
The website encourages “non-techie small business owners” to apply for the grant, awarded three times per year. The FAQ section says they’re looking for a clear business story, a meaningful challenge, and a commitment to improving your business.
There are quite a few requirements for this one. You’ll need have fewer than 50 employees, generate under $5 million in annual revenue, and be a for-profit business actively operating. I’d double check the website before applying for a full list of requirements.
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant
- For: owners of for-profit small businesses
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline to apply: December
Verizon has helped over 1,500 small businesses across the country since 2021 with this small business grant.
Priority is given to small businesses that have never received a grant before. So, if you’re relatively new to the game, or have been trying for a while to secure a grant, you’re at an advantage.
If you’re applying, you’ll need to have an account on Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, and have completed several courses on the Digital Ready platform between January 1 and December 7 2026. Nonprofits aren’t eligible to apply for this one either.
The application supposedly takes about half an hour to complete and you can apply online.
The Importance of Small Business Grants
The world of small business is changing, and it can be dizzying trying to keep up with it all.
Securing a grant allows you to get ahead in the game, and improve the areas of your business budget hasn’t yet allowed for.
Likewise, it could also help you gain knowledge on an area outside of your usual expertise, like marketing or technology, and make you stand out to investors as a business worth betting on.
Luckily, many grants are free to apply for, and you lose nothing by giving it a shot.
