Kansas will put up to $100,000 into an empty or run-down downtown building. The catch: you match every dollar, and the window shuts Friday, November 20.
Here's a hypothetical. Pemberly Thread Co. (a made-up embroidery shop) wants to move out of a garage and into a 1920s storefront on Main Street that has sat empty for years. That is exactly the building this grant was written for.
Also below: a $2,000 grant plus coaching for women founders, $5,000 for a woman who sells her expertise, startup grants in Michigan City, Indiana, a storefront grant in Silverton, Colorado, and a $1,000 pitch prize any high schooler on Earth can enter.
Grants are competitive. We opened every official page today; trust the page if a detail differs. Listed by deadline, soonest first.
1. Silverton Business Beautification Grant (Silverton, Colorado)
- Amount: A 50% matching reimbursement grant of up to $6,000.
- Who qualifies: Businesses in Silverton's Main Street District, National Historic District and Creative District that want to improve an existing facade or primary public entrance.
- The catch: It's a reimbursement, so you spend first. Getting the full $6,000 back means at least $12,000 of approved work, and nothing you spend before approval counts.
- Deadline: Friday, November 13, 2026. Projects must be finished by October 1, 2027.
- Official link: [https://sanjuandevelopment.com/current-project/silverton-business-beautification-grant-program/ 0
2. Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program (women founders, nationwide)
- Amount: A $2,000 education grant, plus coaching, advisors, workshops and access to capital. Free to apply.
- Who qualifies: Women 21 or older who own the largest or equal-largest stake in a for-profit U.S. business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by women and generates a minimum of $75,000 a year.
- The catch: The cash is small. The real prize is the network, and idea-stage businesses won't meet the revenue bar.
- Deadline: Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Fellows are selected in May 2027.
- Official link: [https://www.toryburchfoundation.org/fellows/ 0
3. HEAL Building and Facade Grants (Kansas)
- Amount: Up to $100,000 for a building project or up to $40,000 for a facade-only project.
- Who qualifies: Projects in downtown districts of Kansas cities under 50,000 people, or in distressed urban zip codes. Main Street programs, economic development groups, cities, counties, tribal nations, community foundations and 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofits can apply. A business or building owner can apply only with a local fiscal agent signed on.
- The catch: You need at least a 1:1 cash match, contractor bids and drawings at the time you apply. A tenant must be in the space by December 31, 2029.
- Deadline: Friday, November 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Awards are expected in January 2027.
- Official link: [https://www.kansascommerce.gov/HEAL 0
4. She Seals the Deal Grant (women-owned service businesses, nationwide)
- Amount: One $5,000 grant, paid by ACH or PayPal within five business days of the announcement.
- Who qualifies: U.S.-based, women-owned businesses with under $1 million in annual revenue, such as coaches, consultants and service providers who are selling, or preparing to sell, their expertise.
- The catch: There is a $25 application fee. Only one person wins this round.
- Deadline: Friday, December 11, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The winner is announced by December 20.
- Official link: [https://www.jenniferblake.co/she-seals-the-deal 0
5. Michigan City Start-up Business Grant (Michigan City, Indiana)
- Amount: Grants from $500 to $5,000.
- Who qualifies: Michigan City business owners with fewer than 25 employees who have been operating since at least January 1, 2024.
- The catch: A committee scores need, readiness and community benefit. Money can go to equipment, technology, marketing, inventory and professional services.
- Deadline: Rolling, through the end of 2026 (Thursday, December 31).
- Official link: [https://edcmc.com/grant-program-boosts-michigan-city-businesses/ 0
6. Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition (high schoolers, worldwide)
- Amount: Prizes of $1,000, $750 and $500 for the top three, a $750 People's Choice award, and $500 for each of six regional winners, including North America.
- Who qualifies: Students enrolled in high school or an equivalent pre-university level when they register, solo or in teams of up to five. Homeschooled students ages 14 to 18 can enter too. Entry is free.
- The catch: You must finish a free online mini-course first, and your pitch video must run 3 to 5 minutes. No business is required, just the idea.
- Deadline: Sunday, February 21, 2027 at midnight in your local time zone.
- Official link: [https://blueoceancompetition.org/compete/ 0
Before you apply
A real grant never charges a fee to release money. One program here has a $25 fee to apply, and we labeled it. If anyone asks for a gift card, a "processing fee" or your bank login to unlock a grant, walk away.
Know a high schooler with a wild idea? Send them #6 today.
Verified on each official page: October 24, 2026 (2026-10-24).