Smart Start Business Acceleration Grant: $5,000 Portsmouth VA Small Business Funding
- Deadline : July 31, 2025
- Businesses, Startups, Nonprofits
Eight specialized grants for women in consumer packaged goods, including funds for operations, healthcare, marketing, and more. Apply Today!
Donor: Enthuse Foundation
About: The Enthuse Foundation Grant Program 2025 stands as a transformative funding initiative meticulously designed for women entrepreneurs in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. With a comprehensive approach to supporting female founders, this program offers eight specialized grants totaling $37,000, strategically addressing both business development needs and personal sustainability factors that are crucial for entrepreneurial success.
Founded with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by women in business, the Enthuse Foundation has created a holistic funding ecosystem that transcends traditional grant models. While many business grants focus exclusively on operational costs, the Enthuse program recognizes that entrepreneurial success requires support for both the business and the person behind it – an innovative approach that addresses the complete entrepreneurial journey.
Each grant within the program targets a specific business need with precision, demonstrating the foundation’s intimate knowledge of the CPG landscape. The substantial $10,000 Operating Grant supports businesses actively selling on Amazon’s platform, creating a direct path to scaling for women with established digital retail presence. The Digital Marketing Grant ($4,500) acknowledges the critical importance of online visibility in today’s market, while the dedicated Veterans & Military Spouses Grant ($10,000) highlights the program’s commitment to supporting women from diverse backgrounds.
What truly sets this grant program apart is its recognition that entrepreneurial sustainability extends beyond business operations to personal wellbeing. The Healthcare Grant ($2,500) addresses a significant barrier for self-employed individuals – access to adequate health insurance and medical care – which often forces entrepreneurs to choose between their business dreams and personal wellness. Similarly, the Retirement Grant ($2,500) tackles a frequently overlooked aspect of entrepreneurship, acknowledging that long-term financial security remains essential even as founders pour their resources into business growth.
The Business Insurance Grant ($2,500) provides critical protection against unexpected setbacks, while the Business Tools Grant ($2,500) enables access to technological resources that can dramatically improve operational efficiency. The Professional Services Grant ($2,500) rounds out the offering by connecting entrepreneurs with specialized expertise in areas like accounting, legal guidance, and business strategy – resources that small businesses often struggle to afford but desperately need for sustainable growth.
The application process reflects the program’s commitment to identifying worthy recipients while remaining accessible. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, articulate a clear plan for fund utilization, and participate in interviews if selected as finalists. This careful selection process ensures that funds reach women-owned businesses where they can create maximum impact, generating a ripple effect that strengthens female representation across the CPG industry.
For women entrepreneurs seeking this funding opportunity, timing is crucial. Applications open on March 17, 2025, and close on April 28, 2025, with recipients notified and grants distributed in June 2025. This timeline allows for thorough evaluation of applications while providing recipients with funds at an optimal time for mid-year business initiatives. Given the competitive nature of this program and the detailed application requirements, expert grant consultation can significantly improve your chances of success.
If you’re seeking comprehensive funding support beyond this opportunity, consider exploring other resources for women entrepreneurs or consulting with grant specialists who can identify additional opportunities aligned with your specific business needs. Grantaura’s expert team has helped businesses secure over $250 million in grant funding through personalized strategies and expert guidance.
Focus: Women entrepreneurs, Consumer packaged goods, Small business support, Business insurance, Digital marketing, Healthcare access, Retirement planning, Professional services, Military veterans, Business tools
Region: United States
Eligibility:
-Must identify as a woman entrepreneur with an established consumer packaged goods (CPG) business
-Business must be the entrepreneur’s full-time job
-Must be able to prove use of funds through documentation
-Must be a U.S. citizen
-Must not have previously received money from the Enthuse Foundation through the Pitch Competition or Grant Program
-If selected, must submit the Required New Vendor Forms
-Must use the funds between June 2025 – June 2026
-Additional criteria vary by specific grant category (see individual grant applications for details)
Benefits:
-Operating Grant: $10,000 for women-owned businesses selling on Amazon
-Business Insurance Grant: $2,500 for business-related insurance costs (equipment, products, disaster-related, and warehouse)
-Business Tools Grant: $2,500 for technological resources (web hosting, inventory management, and specialized software)
-Digital Marketing Grant: $4,500 for marketing initiatives (social media advertising, email campaigns, promotional materials)
-Healthcare Grant: $2,500 for health insurance or health-related costs (including mental health services)
-Retirement Grant: $2,500 for retirement savings
-Veteran & Military Spouses Grant: $10,000 for veteran and military spouse women-owned businesses
-Professional Services Grant: $2,500 for external business support (finance managers, lawyers, tax professionals)
Deadline: April 28, 2025
Terms:
-Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG): Tangible products that consumers use regularly and need to replace frequently, including food, beverages, skincare, cosmetics, household goods, and personal hygiene items
-W2 Forms: Official tax documents that report wages paid to employees and taxes withheld, required for verification of financial need during the application process
-Amazon Store: E-commerce platform where businesses can list and sell products to a global customer base, required for eligibility for the Operating Grant
-Digital Marketing: Promotional activities conducted through digital channels like social media, email, and online advertising to increase brand awareness and drive sales
-Business Insurance: Coverage that protects businesses from potential losses due to various risks including property damage, liability claims, and business interruption
-Healthcare: Medical services and associated costs, including health insurance premiums, often a significant expense for self-employed entrepreneurs
-Retirement Savings: Funds set aside during working years to provide income during retirement, an area where many entrepreneurs face challenges
-Professional Services: Specialized expertise provided by professionals such as accountants, lawyers, and business consultants to support business operations and growth
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