Whether you like or loathe January, it’s the perfect month to hit the reset button and plan for the year ahead.
If cash flow issues are on your mind, and you want to avoid credit cycles that can emerge from high-interest business loans, applying for business grants can be a great way to secure the funding you need to thrive in 2025. Alongside a cash prize, lots of grant programs offer additional resources and guidance, making them especially useful for businesses making their first steps.
So, as the dust from the holiday season settles, we outline five exciting grant schemes currently accepting applications this January. Read on for a summary of these opportunities, including their key details, and eligibility criteria.
Small Business Grants to Apply For in January 2025
Shake off the holiday blues by getting your business’s finances in check. Here are five exciting grants that are currently accepting applications:
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1. Santander X Cultivate Small Business Grant
- For: Women and minority-owned food businesses
- Grantor: Santander Bank
- Amount: Up to $13,000
Santander X Cultivate Small Business Grant is a free 12-week program that aims to support the growth of early-stage women, BIPOC, or immigrant-owned food businesses in emerging neighborhoods. Alongside awarding winners up to $13,000 in capital grants, the program also offers a 12-week curriculum including industry-specific education and networking opportunities, mentorship from food industry professionals, and MBA-level learning experiences from Babson College.
The program was founded in 2017 in the Greater Boston area and has since expanded to support entrepreneurs in Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Miami. Santander X Cultivate’s grant scheme is open to minority-owned food businesses that have been in operation for at least one year, and have revenues between $25,000 and $1,000,000. Application are being accepted until the end of the month.
- Deadline: January 30
2. Pitch Perfect Grant
- For: Women entrepreneurs
- Grantor: Pink Print, Ellie Talks Money, and Skip
- Amount: $5,000
If you run a female-owned business and are in need of a little cash injection in 2025, the Pitch Perfect grant should be on your radar. The program, which is supported by Skip, Pink Print, and Ellie Talks Money, focuses on empowering women in businesses with small cash grants of $5,000.
The scheme’s straightforward application process makes it a great option for business grant newbies too. To throw your hat in the ring, all you need to do is fill in a short application form and submit a 30-second to one-minute video alongside your entry. The program is open to all 18+ women entrepreneurs in the US.
- Deadline: January 31
3. Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program
- For: Underserved retail entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector
- Grantor: The Watson Institute and Walmart
- Amount: Up to $1,000
Are you a retail entrepreneur that’s based in a US city with high levels of wealth inequality? If so, you may be eligible for Walmart and the Walton Institute’s Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program. The 16-week program was designed to help underserved entrepreneurs who transform agricultural inputs into higher-value products become retail-ready.
With a target on entrepreneurs in the ‘missing middle’ stage, between prototyping and scaling, ideal candidates are businesses with proven products that need support to grow. To be in with a chance of winning, you’ll also have to be able to commit to the 16-week program from March to June 2025, which includes weekly virtual workshops as well as a 1-3 day in-person basecamp.
- Deadline: January 26
4. Access Ventures Fellowship
- For: Young leaders aged 22-30
- Grantor: Access Ventures
- Amount: $20,000
Since 2014, Access Ventures has been supporting the leaders of tomorrow through early-stage capital and strategic expertise. This year, its Fellowship grant program is open once again to young leaders aged 22-30 who are dedicated to creating meaningful change in their communities.
Chosen participants receive a $20,000 stipend (split up into 12 monthly installments), a comprehensive program to build and grow leadership skills, expert resources based on individual needs, and access to virtual and in-person gatherings with the cohort and industry leaders. To apply, you’ll need to submit a letter of recommendation, a CV, and an abstract for the project you wish to explore.
- Deadline: January 31
5. Year-End Skip $10,000 Grant
- For: US-based entrepreneurs
- Grantor: Skip
- Amount: $10,000
Loan and grant provider Skip is kicking January off with its first grant of the year. While the due date was originally intended to be in 2024, Skip’s Year-End grant is now accepting applications up to January 15, making it an ideal opportunity for businesses looking to secure their finances for the year ahead.
The program awards winners with a cash prize of $10,000 and is open to all US-based entrepreneurs and small business owners 18+ – making its eligibility criteria much broader than other grants on this list. To apply, all you need to do is provide a link to your business plan and answer one additional question on Skip’s application page. Yep, its really that easy!
- Deadline: January 15
How to Up Your Chances of Securing Funding In 2025
Time is money in business. So, if you’re planning on taking out time to submit grant proposals this January you need to make sure every application counts. Here are some tips and tricks to be aware of to increase your chances of success:
- Choose the grant wisely – Lots of grants have strict eligibility criteria, making them unsuitable for the majority of US business owners. So, if your business falls outside of this criteria, don’t take a punt anyway. Save your time by only applying for grants your business is eligible for.
- Submit a strong business plan – When crafting, or revising your business plan, we recommend including a clear summary, your mission statement, and key facts about your business. The devil really is in the details so this isn’t the time to skimp out on important information.
- Apply early – Too many business owners leave applications until the last minute. Not only does this increase the risk of receiving penalties, but it also may make the applicant less likely to receive funds if the prize pot dwindles over time.
- Use a grant consultant – If you’re applying for grants for the first time, it could also be worth using a grant consultant. They can guide you through the application process, help you develop proposals, and even keep an eye out for other grant opportunities as they emerge.
