5 Grants to Know for Black-Led Organizations

This year, Parkes Philanthropy launched the Giving Black Fund to create a space for Black professionals to give back regularly and intentionally, while connecting with a like minded community. Our first round of grants will be distributed in March 2023 (nominate a nonprofit here!)

During Black History Month, we celebrate and uplift the achievements and leadership of the Black community. Recognizing the systemic barriers many Black founders and leaders face, grants play an important role to help level the playing field. 

Here are 5 grants to know for Black-led organizations:

• Accion Opportunity Fund, LegalZoom, and NBA, WNBA, and NBA G have come together to provide grants for Black small business owners. With a $6 million total commitment the organizations will provide both small business grants and LegalZoom services. This is currently the third of six grant cycles throughout this multi year program. During this grant cycle up to 50 small businesses may receive $10,000 and a free LegalZoom product of their choice with a valuation of up to $500. An additional 1,950 small businesses will be chosen to receive a free LegalZoom product of their choice with a valuation of up to $500.
  • Applications are open from Wednesday, February 1st at 8am – Friday February 17th at 8pm ET. 
  • Eligible businesses must be based in the United States, be a Black owned business, have been in operation since 8/1/2022 and currently in operation, revenue of less than $1 million, have a business bank account, if in business for between 6-12 months then they must also have either a LLC, S Corps, sole proprietorship formation, fictitious name statement or DBA, EIN registration, city/state/ or federal license to do business or a relevant professional license. Please ensure your business type is not on their prohibited list before applying. 
• SOGAL Black Founder Startup Grant is addressing the funding gap for entrepreneurs of color by providing several grants in the amounts of $10,000 and $5,000 to Black women or nonbinary entrepreneurs with the help of beauty brand Winky Lux, bluemercury, twelveNYC, Twilio, and Walmart.org’s Center for Racial Equity. 
  • Grantees will also receive hands on guidance in the fundraising process in order to “have a more equitable opportunity at scaling the next billion dollar idea”, lifetime “ask me anything” access to the SoGal Venture Teams and Foundation 
  • To qualify, grantees applying must self identify as a black women or black non binary entrepreneur (“inclusive of multiracial Black women and multiracial Black nonbinary folks”), legally registered business, are planning to seek investor financing, and have the next “billion dollar idea”. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 
  • “If you are a founder, venture capitalist, corporate, or other leader that wants to contribute in funding a grant to a Black woman or Black nonbinary entrepreneur, please email simona@sogalfoundation.com. Your contribution is tax-deductible. Black Lives Matter.”
• Operation Hope aims to help a million Black owned businesses by 2030 with the help of Shopify. For new businesses, Operation Hope will provide Shopify, free for 120 days, and will also connect you with a navigator who will help you sign up for a Small Business Course, along with many other free resources. If you have an existing business that needs help, a navigator will connect you with a mentor and you can receive access to educational and coaching services, as well as free products from Shopify and Intuit.
• Black Business Support Fund from Kinetic Business by Windstream provides Black business owners with free internet for a year, a grant worth up to $2,500, and business coaching. 
  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If you are in a Windstream service region then you are eligible to apply. 
• Freed Fellowship small business grant provides recipients with $500, no strings attached. Included in the grant is two-month free membership to the Freed Fellowship and Freed Studio, a virtual community, that provides a “safe and supportive space that brings together ambitious business owners to identify and implement the practices, processes, and systems needed for sustainable growth to help them get to their first (or next) $1 million in revenue”. 
  • Grant recipients are also eligible to receive an additional end-of-year grant of $2,500 and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.