Grant Overview

If you run a profitable small business but your bank keeps saying "come back later," you're not alone. Banks are tightening credit standards across the country. Pilot and Hello Alice built a $250,000 grant fund specifically for people in your situation—business owners with real revenue who are locked out of traditional financing. And they're throwing in a year of free AI-powered bookkeeping to make sure you actually grow.

The Pilot Small Business Growth Fund isn't just another cash giveaway. It's a direct response to a broken system. NFIB data shows credit is tightening. Hello Alice's own research found profitable businesses can't access the capital they need. So Pilot stepped in. One business will get $50,000. Two will get $25,000. Fifteen will get $10,000. All 18 winners also get one year of Pilot's AI Accountant—the world's first fully autonomous bookkeeping system that closes books in hours, not weeks. That's not just free software; it's a financial clarity engine.

Who's this really for? The founder who's been told "come back when you have more revenue" despite having actual customers. The contractor with $300K in annual sales whose bank won't lend because personal credit isn't perfect. The bakery that needs a new oven but can't get a loan. If you're the leading executive (Founder, CEO, President, etc.) of a for-profit US business that made between $5,000 and $5 million in 2025—and you're not an MLM or a Pilot employee—keep reading. This grant was built with you in mind.

The application window is short. It opened February 24, 2026, at 9:00 AM ET and closes on March 31, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET. Winners are notified privately on April 28, with a public announcement May 5. But don't wait—the earlier you apply, the more time you have to refine your story.

Key Grant Information

Active

1 day, 23 hrs left

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Pilot Small Business Growth Fund

Funded by Pilot | Hello Alice

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Grant Snapshot

Grant Award

$50,000

Application Deadline

March 31 2026 1 day, 23 hrs left

Eligible Region

United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico

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Eligibility and Benefits

Eligibility Criteria

• Leading executive (Founder, CEO, President, etc.) of for-profit US business
• 2025 gross revenue between $5,000 and $5,000,000
• Legal resident of US, DC, or Puerto Rico, at least 18 (19 AL, NE)
• Excludes MLM businesses and businesses owned by Pilot employees/family

Grant Benefits

• $250,000 total
• 1x $50,000
• 2x $25,000
• 15x $10,000
• One year of free Pilot AI Accountant bookkeeping

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Focus Areas

small business grants growth capital free bookkeeping

Not sure if you qualify? Grantaura's eligibility tool walks you through every requirement. It's fast, anonymous, and built for this exact grant.

If the tool shows you're eligible, you're ready to start building a compelling application. Submit an Assessment -> Our experts will review your situation and help you position your story.

If you're unsure about any requirement—maybe your revenue was close to the cutoff, or you're not certain about your executive role—you can book a free 15-minute consultation with a grant specialist. We'll clarify exactly where you stand.

If the tool says you're not eligible right now, don't worry. Grantaura's dashboard can match you with other grants that fit your profile. Many funds have different criteria, and we'll help you find them.

Why this grant exists—and why it matters for you

Banks are pulling back. You've probably felt it. Maybe you applied for a loan and got a polite "not at this time." Maybe your credit is decent but your business is too young. Pilot's CEO Jessica McKellar and Hello Alice's Carolyn Rodz saw the same data: profitable small businesses can't get capital. So they created this fund. It's not a PR stunt. It's a market intervention.

And the free bookkeeping? That's the smart part. Pilot's AI Accountant handles everything—from onboarding to final financial statements—without human effort. Winners don't just get cash; they get the clarity to deploy it effectively. Imagine having your books closed in hours instead of weeks, with clean financials that make you look ready for the next round of funding. That's the package.

What the money can buy

The examples Pilot gives aren't vague. They're real-world specific:

• Stock up on inventory – Restock or pre-stock for the next busy season.
• Buy new equipment – Get that new oven, newer washers, tools for the team.
• Expand your team – Training, hiring, recruiter fees, extra hands.
• Improve your margins – Hire an accountant/bookkeeper to get a clear view (though you'll already have one for a year).
• Open a new location – Down payment for a truck, start a new lease.
• Start marketing seriously – Ads, flyers, direct mail, email, social media.

These aren't just bullet points. They're the actual decisions you'll make. The grant is flexible; use it where your business needs it most.

Who gets in—and who doesn't

Let's be clear about who should apply. You're eligible if:

• You're the leading executive (Founder, President, CEO, CFO, COO, or similar) of your business.
• Your business is for-profit, registered and located in the US, DC, or Puerto Rico.
• You're a legal resident of those areas and at least 18 (19 in AL and NE).
• Your business's gross revenue in 2025 was between $5,000 and $5,000,000.

And who's excluded?

• Multi-level marketing (MLM) businesses – Explicitly banned.
• Pilot employees and their family members – Also excluded.
• Non-profits – This fund is for for-profit entities only.

Notice the $5,000 floor. That's unusually low. If you made just $6,000 last year, you're in. This fund is designed for businesses at every stage—as long as you have revenue and you're in charge.

What the application actually looks like

Here's the thing: the initial application is short. Hello Alice says it takes less than 10 minutes. No documents required. You answer a few questions about your business, your revenue, your role. That's it.

But if you're selected as a finalist, you may be asked to submit a brief video. What should you say? How long should it be? No guidance yet. That's the real challenge. Anyone can fill out a short form. Standing out requires a compelling story, especially if a video is involved.

That's where Grantaura comes in. We don't just read you the rules. We help you write the narrative, position your impact, and—if you're a finalist—coach you on that video. Submit an assessment and our experts will review your application before you hit submit.

Quick questions you might have

Q: Do I need to be a Pilot customer to apply?
A: Not at all. The grant includes a year of free Pilot bookkeeping for winners, but prior use is not required. It's an invitation, not a prerequisite.

Q: Is the video mandatory for everyone?
A: No. Only selected finalists are asked for a video. If you're not a finalist, you won't need to prepare one. But if you are, we can help you script it.

Q: My revenue was $4,800 in 2025. Can I still apply?
A: Unfortunately, no. The $5,000 floor is a hard requirement. But Grantaura's dashboard can help you find grants with lower or no revenue minimums.

Q: I'm the owner but my title is 'Founder.' Does that count as leading executive?
A: Yes, absolutely. Founder is explicitly listed in the eligibility. You're good.

Q: What if I'm not sure about my revenue calculation?
A: Use your best estimate based on 2025 tax returns or financial statements. If you're close to the boundary, book a consultation—we can help you interpret the requirement.

Key terms you'll encounter

Pilot AI Accountant

An autonomous bookkeeping system that handles the entire process from onboarding to final financial statements, with zero human effort. Winners get one year free.

Hello Alice

A platform that connects small business owners with grants, funding, and resources. All applications for this grant go through Hello Alice.

Leading executive

The person with primary decision-making authority: Founder, CEO, President, CFO, COO, or similar roles. Not an employee without ownership/control.

Finalist

A small group of applicants selected for further consideration; may be asked to submit a brief video.

NFIB

National Federation of Independent Business; their data on credit tightening is cited by Pilot as part of the fund's rationale.

MLM

Multi-level marketing companies, explicitly excluded from this grant.

Not quite the right fit? Or maybe you want to keep your options open. Grantaura's smart matching tool finds grants tailored to your business profile.

Make your Pilot grant application stand out—with expert help

The application form is easy. But easy means many will apply. The ones who win aren't just eligible—they tell a compelling story. They connect their need to the fund's purpose: businesses that are profitable but overlooked by banks.

Grantaura's experts have helped dozens of founders craft winning narratives. We'll review your application, suggest improvements, and if you're a finalist, coach you on that video. No generic advice. We dig into your specific situation and help you frame it for this specific grant.

Submit an Assessment ->
Book a Free Consultation

About the author

Imran is the founder of Grantaura. He's spent years helping small business owners navigate the confusing world of grants and funding. He writes every listing himself, because he believes you deserve straight talk, not marketing fluff. If you have questions, you can book time with Imran or read more about his approach.

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    "url": "https://grantaura.com/grant/hello-alice-grants/",
    "custom_description": "Hello Alice regularly hosts grants across many industries. Their platform is the same one used for Pilot's fund, so your profile carries over. Worth browsing if you're already set up."
  },
  {
    "url": "https://grantaura.com/grant/visa-main-street-accelerator/",
    "custom_description": "Another program focused on small business growth with a mix of cash and services. Overlaps on audience and on the desire to support businesses overlooked by traditional lenders."
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  {
    "url": "https://grantaura.com/grant/fedex-small-business-grant/",
    "custom_description": "FedEx awards cash and services to US small businesses. Like Pilot, they emphasize operational support alongside funding. Good fit if you need both capital and infrastructure."
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  {
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    "custom_description": "Many women-owned businesses face the same bank-rejection pattern. This collection surfaces grants specifically for female founders, with varying revenue requirements."
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