Microgrant Program (Celebrate EDU)

Microgrant Program (Celebrate EDU) is sponsored by Celebrate EDU. Celebrate EDU's Microgrant Program supports business ideas from individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The grants can help with startup costs, equipment, supplies, and skill development.

Microgrants | Online Business Education Programs | Celebrate EDU Ignite Business Experience Career & Life Skills Courses Support the Celebrate Shop Do you have a business idea but need help getting started? Maybe you need to buy equipment or supplies… Perhaps you need to purchase inventory or get a webpage… Good news! Our Microgrant Program can help your business sprout and grow!

See if you qualify for a Microgrant… Take the Eligibility Quiz Available for business ideas of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities age 16 or older Up to $500 is awarded for each Microgrant Funds can be used for supplies, equipment, materials, or other items you need to start or expand your business idea Approved applicants must complete a free course on finance & budgeting prior to receiving funding Microgrant recipients receive access to Celebrate EDU online courses for additional business support Eligible product and service businesses must not require more than $2,500 to get started (please see details in FAQ) Sounds Great!

How Do I Apply? Take the eligibility quiz. If you qualify… Download the application worksheet.

Take some time to think through your business idea and fill out the application. Make sure all information is complete and that you’ve used professional writing, grammar, and spelling. Use the worksheet to complete our online application.

Our committee meets 3 times a year to review applications and we can’t wait to read yours! Applications are currently OPEN. This application round will close on September 25, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions: What can I use my Microgrant for? A Celebrate EDU Microgrant can be used for anything related to your business idea. You could buy a camera for your photography business, build a website to showcase your products, purchase supplies to create art or jewelry, or buy supplies for your dog walking business.

Pretty much anything related to your business idea is fine, but you do have to submit the receipts for items purchased with your follow-up survey and report. Receipts cannot be reimbursements for previously purchased items. Please be as specific as possible when sharing what you will use the Microgrant for in your application!

I already have a business. Can I receive a Microgrant? A Celebrate EDU Microgrant is available to support new or emerging business ideas that are driven by the interest of the self-advocate.

If you have an established business that has generated more than $3,000 in revenue, you are not eligible to receive Microgrant funding. What kinds of businesses can receive a Microgrant?

Your business must offer direct sales to customers by selling: A product, such as dog treats, artwork, or food A service, such as computer repair, landscaping or photography Business startup costs cannot exceed $2,500 – to ensure that the Microgrant makes an impact on the business’s success.

Businesses must generate revenue from sales to customers (not through influencer marketing or ad sales) Businesses must be located in the United States or Canada Your business concept must conform to legal requirements and may not involve any of the following categories: Providing direct services to people with disabilities Multi-level marketing or pyramid models Affiliated with a religious organization Franchisee of another business Cannabis or marijuana industry Involved in political campaigns or lobbying Investment or financial management Health advice or services Why are some businesses not eligible for microgrants?

Our microgrants are designed to support entrepreneurs with disabilities who are building businesses that serve the general public. To stay aligned with nonprofit regulations and protect both our organization and applicants, we are unable to fund businesses that: Provide services to people with disabilities (such as therapy, coaching, or disability support), Offer health, legal, or financial advice or services.

These types of businesses often involve special licensing, oversight, or fall under categories considered charitable care by the IRS. As a nonprofit, we can’t use grant funds to support them directly. We know these services are incredibly valuable, but our microgrants have to stay within certain boundaries.

What is the application process to receive a Microgrant? You will begin by completing Part 1 of the application, which our team will review. If your business is eligible, you will be invited to submit Part 2 of the application.

Our committee will then review completed applications and invite qualified candidates to submit additional materials, including a short video about their business. Finally, the committee will meet to select Microgrant recipients. The full process takes approximately 14 weeks from when applications open to when Microgrants are awarded.

If we select your business to receive a grant, you will be asked to complete our finance and budgeting course online and submit a business budget before receiving funds. When does the Microgrant committee meet? The Microgrant Committee meets 3 times per year.

The deadline for submissions is typically a few weeks before the meeting. Here is the planned schedule in 2026 (subject to change): Round 1 – Part 1 Applications accepted February 2 – March 13; Meeting Early May Round 2 – Part 1 Applications accepted May 11 – June 19; Meeting Mid-August Round 3 – Part 1 Applications accepted August 17 – September 25; Meeting Mid-November How will a Microgrant be delivered?

After you complete the finance and budgeting course and submit your business budget, we will send a check for the Microgrant. You will need to save and submit all receipts for items purchased with your Microgrant funds. How will a Microgrant help my business?

That is up to you! Some people use the money to purchase better equipment or supplies, others use it to promote their business. Make sure to have a plan for how you will use the money before you apply.

If you receive a grant, you will have the chance to take our online entrepreneurship courses to help build your business skills. How can I improve my chances of receiving a Microgrant?

Have a clear and specific business idea Explain clearly why you are interested in running this business Understand who your potential customers will be Provide something that makes you different from your competition Have a realistic project plan, timeline, and budget (less than $2,500) Clearly explain what product or service your business sells Ideally, you’ll have completed some business education and research, though you certainly don’t have to be an expert.

Are parent-run businesses eligible for a Microgrant? The business idea MUST be driven by the self-advocate. We encourage parents, family members, and staff to be active support people.

However, we do not accept business ideas that are primarily driven by a parent or support person. The quiz says I am not eligible yet. What can I do?

If you don’t have a business idea yet, we recommend looking into Spark 101 , which is our signature course focused on helping people explore their options and find interest-based self-employment or employment options. You can also check out our resources page and our other course offerings . What are the Terms & Conditions of the program?

Ah yes, the boring legal mumbo jumbo! You can read the Terms & Conditions here and the program rules here . Meet our Microgrant Recipients Adaptive Crochet Wearables Rocky Mountain Video Transfer In Loving Memory of Sarah Opsvig Sarah Opsvig was a Celebrate EDU Microgrant recipient and the founder of Pup Bites by Sarah, where she made homemade dog treats.

Sarah passed away in 2023. We are honored to have supported her entrepreneurial journey and remember her as a special part of the Celebrate EDU community. Interested in applying for a Microgrant?

Take the eligibility quiz Microgrant Eligibility Quiz Celebrate Shop Sponsorship Thank you for supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities by sponsoring the 2026 Celebrate Shop!

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file size: 2 MB. Thanks for your interest in donating to Celebrate EDU with a check or giving in honor of someone. Please make checks payable to Celebrate EDU.

If you are donating in honor of someone or giving to the Microgrant program, please write that in the memo of your check. Unfortunately, we cannot accept donations to Trailblazer via check. You will be mailed a tax receipt for your donation within four after the donation has been processed.

Please send checks to: Donations in honor of someone: To make donation in honor of someone, please use the following form to send us the information and someone from Celebrate EDU will contact you within 5 business days. What is the best way to reach you? * The name of the person you are honoring with your donation * How would you like to share this gift?

* By direct email from Celebrate EDU With a card I can print at home What is the honoree's email address? * How much do you wish to give to Celebrate EDU? * I'm interested in partnering with Celebrate EDU Online Course Scholarship Application In order to qualify for a scholarship, you must be a person with a disability and explain why you are unable to pay the full course fee.

Is the person filling this out the student that will take this course?

* No, I am a family member/friend of the student State Student Lives In * Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Europe Armed Forces Pacific Student Email * We'll use this to register you for the Celebrate EDU site The support of friends & family is really important to us.

Please share with us your information as well so that we can best support the student through the program. Your relationship to the student * Which online class are you interested in participating in? * How much would you be able to pay for this class?

* Please provide a detailed description of why you require a scholarship * Tell me more about being an Innovation Partner I'm interested in being a Community Partner