Five brands get $10,000 each. No equity. Applications close October 9 at 11:59 PM Pacific. If you sell skincare, supplements, or better-for-you food and you're at least 51% women-owned, this is the one to open first.
Four other grants below still have windows through October and into Q4. Grants are competitive. Treat each like a lottery ticket you earn with honest paperwork. We opened every official page today. If a number doesn't match when you click, trust the page.
1. Makers Mindset x The Equity Studio 2026 Grant
- Amount: $10,000 each for five brands ($50,000 total). Equity-free. Mentorship and visibility included. Free to apply.
- Who qualifies: U.S.-registered CPG businesses in beauty (skincare, color cosmetics, haircare, bodycare, fragrance, and related) or wellness (supplements, functional foods and beverages, better-for-you food, and related). At least 51% women-owned, 10 or fewer employees, annual revenue over $50,000 and up to $2 million, and at least one full year of revenue.
- Deadline: October 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. Awardees selected by end of November 2026.
- Official link: Makers Mindset x The Equity Studio grant page
2. Kenneth B. and Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Business Grant
- Amount: $1,000 micro-grant for each of 25 finalists, plus free access to one Founders First program (Passport Community or Zebra Leadership).
- Who qualifies: U.S. military veterans or military spouses who are CEO, president, or owner of an active U.S. business with 2 to 100 employees, at least one year in business, and annual revenue of $5 million or less.
- Deadline: October 15, 2026.
- Official link: Tadlock Veteran Business Grant page
3. Amber Grant (WomensNet)
- Amount: Three $10,000 grants each month (Monthly Amber, Startup, and Business Category). Monthly winners also enter the pool for three $50,000 year-end grants. October's category is Creative Arts.
- Who qualifies: Women 18 or older who own at least 50% of a business based in the United States or Canada. Idea-stage and pre-revenue are welcome. Startups under $10,000 in gross sales also compete for the monthly Startup Grant. Note: there is a $15 application fee (fee waiver available by emailing info@ambergrantsforwomen.com before you apply). There is no fee if you win.
- Deadline: October 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern (last day of each month).
- Official link: Amber Grant application page
4. HerRise MicroGrant (HerSuiteSpot)
- Amount: $1,000 each month. Free coaching community events are separate from the cash award.
- Who qualifies: Women-owned businesses registered in the U.S. with less than $1 million in gross revenue. Nonprofits, franchises, direct sellers, authorized resellers, and independent consultants are not eligible. The program focuses on under-resourced women entrepreneurs, including women of color. Note: there is a $15 administrative fee to apply. There is no fee if you win.
- Deadline: October 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern (last day of each month).
- Official link: HerRise MicroGrant application page
5. NASE Growth Grant
- Amount: Up to $4,000. Funds can go to marketing, part-time hires, equipment, software, a new website, training, and similar growth costs — not existing debt or rent.
- Who qualifies: Active NASE members in good standing. Annual, Veteran, and Gold members may apply immediately. Monthly members need 90 days of membership first. Self-employed and micro-business owners are the core audience. You'll need a grant-use statement, a business plan, a recent tax return or P&L (projections OK for new businesses), and a photo.
- Deadline: Rolling. Applications submitted in October–December 2026 are reviewed in January 2027. Submit inside the quarter you want judged.
- Official link: NASE Growth Grant page
Before you apply
A real grant never asks for a processing fee, a gift card, or your bank login to "release" the money. Two programs above are labeled: Amber and HerRise each charge $15 to submit, and nothing if you win. NASE requires paid membership before you can apply — that is a membership cost, not a payout fee. If someone cold-calls you about a grant you never applied for, hang up. Don't pay for a list of grants, and don't pay up-front fees to unlock an award.
Pick the one or two you actually qualify for. A tight, specific application beats ten rushed ones every time.
Verified on each official page: October 4, 2026.