How I Started Applying for Grants as a Brand New Business Owner (and You Can Too)

Starting a business with little to no money is intimidating — but I’m learning that being broke doesn’t mean you’re broken, and being new doesn’t mean you’re disqualified.

When I registered my LLC, I had no income from the business, no team, and no investors — just my name on a paper, a blog, and a dream. But I still started looking for funding. Why? Because I believe in starting where you are and letting your story do the heavy lifting.

The first grant I applied for was the Amber Grant for Women. It was the first time I wrote openly about being a single mom, an immigrant, and a preschool teacher trying to create something bigger than survival. It wasn’t easy. I cried a little while writing it — not because I was scared, but because I finally said out loud, “I deserve to build something for me.”

Since then, I’ve found more grants for brand-new businesses like mine. Ones that don’t ask for years of tax returns or huge revenue. Just heart, intention, and effort.

Here are some I recommend if you’re starting from scratch:

• 🟣 Amber Grant – Perfect for women-owned businesses with a personal story.

• 🔵 Freed Fellowship – $500 monthly for entrepreneurs with a vision.

• 🟡 HerRise Microgrant – Supports women of color and early-stage businesses.

• 🟢 IFundWomen – Helps match you to grants based on your profile.

• 🟠 MGCC – If you're in Massachusetts like me, they offer digital and startup funding locally.

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I used to think that grants were for people with perfect businesses. Now I know: they're for people brave enough to begin.

I'm still learning, still applying, and still showing up every day for this dream — and I hope this post permits someone else to start too.