Ten businesses in one North Carolina county are about to split $25,000, and the window shuts this Saturday, October 31.
Picture a made-up coffee bar in downtown Seguin, Texas, with a peeling awning. Seguin's general business grant just ran out of money. Its storefront grant didn't, and it pays back up to $10,000 of exterior work.
Grants are competitive. We opened every official page today; trust the page if a detail differs. Soonest deadline first.
1. Chatham Small Business Microgrant Program (Chatham County, NC)
- Amount: 10 microgrants of $2,500 each, funded by the Duke Energy Foundation and run by the Chatham Chamber of Commerce.
- Who qualifies: "Any established business operating in Chatham County." Chamber membership is not required.
- The catch: Winners are picked on demonstrated need and lasting impact, so say exactly what the $2,500 will fix.
- Deadline: October 31, 2026.
- Official link: Chatham Chamber microgrant application
2. Big Idea Pitch Night (West Memphis, AR)
- Amount: $1,000 cash award.
- Who qualifies: A small business idea or a project that benefits the community, located in West Memphis.
- The catch: It's a pitch. Three to four finalists get five minutes each at the Civic Center on Thursday, November 19.
- Deadline: Applications due November 12, 2026.
- Official link: Main Street West Memphis pitch competitions
3. Keith Myers Grant for Entrepreneurs (college students, nationwide)
- Amount: $1,000, one time.
- Who qualifies: You must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate at an accredited college or university, with an interest in entrepreneurship.
- The catch: It's essay-based and works like a scholarship, so the money is aimed at school costs, not inventory. Apply by email with an original essay on the posted prompt.
- Deadline: November 15, 2026.
- Official link: Keith Myers Grant details and essay prompt
4. Entreprenista Evolve Grant x IT Cosmetics (women founders, U.S.)
- Amount: $5,000.
- Who qualifies: U.S.-based woman-owned or woman-led businesses making at least $100,000 a year and operating at least one year, that haven't received this grant before.
- The catch: The winner is picked at random under the official rules, around December 10. No cost to enter.
- Deadline: Entries close 11:59 PM ET, November 30, 2026.
- Official link: Entreprenista Evolve Grant page and official rules
5. "FIX IT" Facade Improvement Program (Seguin, TX)
- Amount: Up to $10,000 per property per funding cycle, as a reimbursement of up to 50% (dollar for dollar).
- Who qualifies: Exterior facade work on property in Seguin's Downtown Historic District. Tenants need the owner's written OK. You must be current on city utilities and local property taxes.
- The catch: You pay first and get reimbursed after the work is done.
Work must be approved before it starts, or the grant is lost. Meet with Seguin Historic Preservation before you apply.
- Deadline: 5:00 PM, December 1, 2026 (FY 2027 cycle). The form calls it a Monday, but December 1, 2026 is a Tuesday, so don't cut it close.
- Official link: City of Seguin FIX IT facade application and guidelines
6. Acorn2Oak Youth Business Grant (Oakland County, MI)
- Amount: Up to $1,000.
- Who qualifies: Only Oakland County residents ages 8 to 18, with a detailed business plan, a detailed budget, and some work already done on the plan.
- The catch: Not for tuition, ongoing expenses, sporting equipment or team fees.
- Deadline: Next review deadline is December 15, 2026 (reviews also run March 15, June 15 and September 15).
- Official link: Acorn2Oak grant guidelines
Before you apply: Real grants never charge a fee to release money you've won. If someone calls about a grant you never applied for and wants a "processing fee" or your bank login, hang up and go to the official page yourself.
Know someone in Chatham County, West Memphis, Seguin or Oakland County? Send this to them today. For loans and other options beyond grants, see where to get business funding, and find every Grant Finder post in the grants hub.
Verified October 27, 2026 on each official page (2026-10-27).
