Dream Makers Founder Grant for Underrepresented Women Entrepreneurs

Grant Overview

Dream Makers Founder Grant for Underrepresented Women Entrepreneurs: Fueling CPG Innovation

Empowering Black and BIPOC Women in Consumer Goods with Transformative Funding

Donor: Nancy R. Twine, in partnership with The Fifteen Percent Pledge and Sephora Accelerate

About: The Dream Makers Founder Grant, a visionary $1 million initiative spearheaded by Nancy R. Twine, the trailblazing founder of Briogeo, is strategically designed to uplift and empower underrepresented women entrepreneurs. This multi-year commitment places a significant emphasis on bolstering Black and BIPOC founders who are making their mark in the dynamic consumer goods industry. The core mission is to dismantle systemic barriers and bridge the critical resource gap that frequently impedes the trajectory of businesses led by these historically marginalized innovators, fostering an ecosystem where diverse entrepreneurial talent can flourish and achieve scalable success. You can explore various grants for BIPOC-owned businesses to find additional support.

Annually, the Dream Makers Founder Grant, through its impactful alliance with The Fifteen Percent Pledge, allocates $125,000, distributing five individual grants of $25,000 to outstanding women-led businesses. This “no-strings-attached” capital injection provides essential early-stage funding without imposing equity surrender or repayment burdens, thereby empowering founders to channel resources directly into their vision and pivotal business operations such as marketing, manufacturing enhancements, and vital research and development. The program is a testament to the profound contributions of minority entrepreneurs and is dedicated to amplifying their innovative capacities.

The collaboration with The Fifteen Percent Pledge, a non-profit organization championing racial and economic justice, significantly magnifies the grant’s reach and transformative potential. The Fifteen Percent Pledge actively advocates for major retailers and corporations to commit a minimum of 15% of their purchasing power to Black-owned businesses, a strategic move aimed at narrowing the persistent racial wealth gap. Eligibility for this specific grant opportunity, facilitated through The Fifteen Percent Pledge, mandates membership in their Business Equity Community—an online ecosystem meticulously designed to connect Black entrepreneurs with Pledge-taking retailers and foster economic growth.

Furthermore, the Dream Makers Founder Grant extends its impact through a partnership with Sephora Accelerate, a distinguished brand incubation program focused on nurturing a community of pioneering founders within the beauty and wellness sectors, with a particular emphasis on people of color. While the 2025 Sephora Accelerate cohort, which also benefits from the Dream Makers Founder Grant, has been finalized, beauty brand founders aspiring for future opportunities are encouraged to explore the Sephora Accelerate program for upcoming cohorts and support. This dual-partnership approach ensures comprehensive support for founders across general consumer goods (via The Fifteen Percent Pledge) and specialized beauty sectors (via Sephora Accelerate), creating broader pathways to success.

Securing grant funding is a critical step for many startups and growing businesses, yet the application landscape can be intricate and highly competitive. The Dream Makers Founder Grant represents a significant opportunity, but it’s one of many. Grantaura is committed to simplifying this journey for you. Our expert grant research services are tailored to identify funding opportunities, like The Amber Grant for Women, that precisely match your business’s unique needs and eligibility profile. Beyond research, our skilled team excels in grant proposal writing and the preparation of all necessary documentation, including business plan development, ensuring your application is compelling and stands out. Discover Grantaura’s full suite of consulting services to strategically position your business for funding success and transformative growth.

Focus: Underrepresented Entrepreneurs, Female Founders, Black Founders, BIPOC Founders, Consumer Goods (excluding beauty for The Fifteen Percent Pledge track), Business Scaling, Marketing, Manufacturing, Research & Development, Early-Stage Funding

Region: United States

Eligibility:
-Applicants must be members of The Fifteen Percent Pledge’s Business Equity Community to apply for the track detailed on the 15 Percent Pledge website.
-The business must demonstrate annual revenue exceeding $100,000 but not surpassing $1 million.
-The company must employ between 1 and 10 individuals, inclusive of the founder.
-The business must be engaged in selling a physical product or good (CPG).
-A minimum of 51% of the business must be owned by women.
-For The Fifteen Percent Pledge track: The business must offer a Consumer Packaged Good (CPG) product that does *not* fall within the Beauty Category (this includes skincare, makeup, hair care, body care, nail care, fragrance, and wellness products like supplements, ingestibles, and nutritional powders). Note: Beauty brands receive support through a distinct track of this grant via the Sephora Accelerate program.
-The business must have a documented history of generating revenue for at least two consecutive full years.
-Grant funds awarded must be exclusively utilized for marketing, manufacturing, or research and development (R&D) activities.
-The business must be legally established and operate within the United States.

Benefits:
-Five grants, each valued at $25,000, will be awarded annually through the partnership with The Fifteen Percent Pledge.
-Funding is provided as “no-strings-attached” capital, meaning no equity stake is required, and there are no repayment obligations.
-Significant opportunity to scale business operations and market reach.
-Dedicated financial support for critical growth areas: marketing, manufacturing, and research & development.

Deadline: May 30, 2025

Terms:
–BIPOC: An acronym for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. This inclusive term is used to recognize the unique historical contexts and ongoing systemic oppression experienced by Black and Indigenous communities, while also encompassing other people of color who face marginalization.
–CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods): Refers to items that consumers typically use and replenish frequently. Examples include food, beverages, household cleaning supplies, and personal care items, as distinct from durable goods like appliances or furniture.
–The Fifteen Percent Pledge’s Business Equity Community: An innovative online platform and supportive ecosystem established by The Fifteen Percent Pledge. Its primary goal is to forge connections between Black entrepreneurs and major retailers or corporations that have committed to allocating at least 15% of their purchasing spend to Black-owned businesses, thereby fostering economic equity.
–Underrepresented Entrepreneurs: This term describes individuals belonging to groups that have historically encountered systemic disadvantages and have had diminished access to essential resources, capital, and entrepreneurial opportunities. These barriers are often predicated on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status.
–No-Strings-Attached Capital: A form of financial funding provided to businesses where the recipient is not required to give up any ownership (equity) in their company or to repay the awarded funds. This type of capital is exceptionally beneficial for early-stage and growing businesses needing flexibility.
–Sephora Accelerate: A prestigious brand incubation program developed and managed by Sephora. It is designed to comprehensively support and mentor founders of emerging beauty brands, with a pronounced focus on championing founders of color. The program typically offers a structured curriculum, dedicated mentorship, potential for funding, and valuable industry connections to facilitate brand launch and growth.