1,000+ Opportunities
Find the right grant
Search federal, foundation, and corporate grants with AI — or browse by agency, topic, and state.
FY2026 rounds: R1 Jul 1-31 2025, R2 Oct 1-31 2025, R3 Jan 1-31 2026, R4 Apr 1-30 2026. Funds must be spent within 90 days of award. One-time funding per business.
Smart Start Business Development Grant is a program from the Portsmouth Economic Development Authority (EDA) that funds new and recently established small businesses and nonprofits in Portsmouth, Virginia to expand entrepreneurial opportunity, business resiliency, and organizational development.
Beginning in FY2026, eligible applicants are for-profit small businesses or nonprofits that have been in operation for zero to three years, hold a City of Portsmouth business license, and have 10 or fewer full-time equivalent employees. Home-based businesses must provide proof of Portsmouth residency, and co-working space tenants must hold a minimum 12-month lease. Government entities are not eligible.
Get alerted about grants like this
Save a search for “Portsmouth Economic Development Authority (EDA)” or related topics and get emailed when new opportunities appear.
Search similar grants →Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
Smart Start Business Development Grant | Portsmouth Economic Development Smart Start Business Development Grant Portsmouth Economic Development (PED) Homepage Smart Start Business Development Grant The Smart Start Business Development Grant Program is designed to provide financial support for new and recently established startups and small businesses to assist with expanding entrepreneurial opportunity, business resiliency, and organizational development.
New eligibility requirements begin FY2026!
New and recently established for-profit small businesses and non-profit organizations with operations based in the City of Portsmouth Available to businesses that have been in operation for 0-3 years (as evidenced by a City of Portsmouth business license) Available to businesses with 10 full-time equivalent (FTE) or fewer positions Businesses utilizing a co-working space mailbox must prove Portsmouth residency with a 12-month residential lease or proof of home ownership.
Co-working space tenants are required to have a minimum of a 12-month lease. Copy of lease is required. Proof of Portsmouth residency is required for home-based businesses.
Entities of local, state, or federal government, religious organizations, and residential-use businesses are prohibited from applying. Businesses current with City of Portsmouth taxes and fees Maximum Grant Award: $2,000 Grant funds must be expended within 90 days of award Recipients of the Smart Start Business Development Grant may only receive funding one time under the program.
No more than two grant applications may be submitted per business principal within a five-year period. Completion of the Santa Clara University's My Own Business Plan Institute (MOBI) online course or provide documentation of completion of an approved equivalent certification course Grant Submission Schedule Applications for the 2026 Fiscal year are accepted according to the submission schedule below.
Applications received after the cutoff date will be considered by the Portsmouth EDA in the following round. Round 1: Open July 1 - 31, 2025 Round 2: Open October 1 - 31, 2025 Round 3: Open January 1 - 31, 2026 Round 4: Open April 1-30, 2026 Application & Approval Process The Smart Start Business Development Grant application is a four-step process.
All applicants must first complete the Santa Clara University's My Own Business Plan Institute (MOBI) online course or provide documentation of completion of an approved equivalent certification course. (Additional resources available. Please contact Portsmouth Economic Development Staff).
Upon completion of the required coursework, the completed Smart Start Business Development Grant application is to be submitted to Portsmouth Economic Development for review and is not considered submitted if incomplete. Completed applications (those containing all required documentation) will be reviewed to determine completion status and adherence with program guidelines.
Approval or denial of an application lies within the discretion of the Portsmouth Economic Development Authority's (EDA) Board of Commissioners, considering factors such as the degree to which the business activities contemplated by the application further the goals of the program, the degree of the need for the funding, the level of funding requested, the amount of program funds remaining for the fiscal year, and any other factors the Board of Commissioners may deem relevant.
When an application is approved, the applicant will enter into a Grant Agreement with the Portsmouth EDA, agreeing to accept the approved grant funds. If the grantee needs to make any changes to the use of grant funds as proposed in the application, the grantee must notify Portsmouth Economic Development in writing in advance of the changes.
The Smart Start Business Development Grant is funded entirely by the Portsmouth Economic Development Authority (EDA). Eligible activities are only those under Section V of these Guidelines and must directly and primarily benefit the business for which the Grant award is received. The maximum grant amount available for any approved application is $2,000.
Recipients of the Smart Start Business Development Grant may only receive funding one time under the program. No more than two grant applications may be submitted per business principal within a five-year period. Funding is available until the funding pool has been exhausted each fiscal year as appropriated.
All recipients are required to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Portsmouth EDA. Recipients have 30 days to begin eligible business activities and 90 days to complete them.
Extensions for an additional 90 days may be granted on a case-by-case basis Small scale production/manufacturing equipment, machinery, tools, etc. Technology and digital infrastructure (hardware, software, digital platforms, etc.) Business furniture and fixtures Wages, benefits, payroll expenses Operating costs (utilities, insurance, etc.) Residential-use furniture Decorative items (wall art, decor, etc.) Required Documentation For Application All documentation must be submitted by the close of the grant application round.
Completed Portsmouth Vendor Registration Form Rev 1-30-2024 Copy of City of Portsmouth business license Copy of "Articles of Organization" from the Virginia SCC Documentation of completion of the Santa Clara University's MOBI online course or of an approved equivalent certification course Complete business plan that includes an explanation of use of grant funding using the MOBI Business Plan Template Two quotes per product/service you will purchase with grant funding Grant Submission Schedule Application & Approval Process Required Documentation For Application The Smart Start Business Development Grant Program is designed to provide financial support for new and recently established startups and small businesses to assist with expanding entrepreneurial opportunity, business resiliency, and organizational development.
New eligibility requirements begin FY2026!
New and recently established for-profit small businesses and non-profit organizations with operations based in the City of Portsmouth Available to businesses that have been in operation for 0-3 years (as evidenced by a City of Portsmouth business license) Available to businesses with 10 full-time equivalent (FTE) or fewer positions Businesses utilizing a co-working space mailbox must prove Portsmouth residency with a 12-month residential lease or proof of home ownership.
Co-working space tenants are required to have a minimum of a 12-month lease. Copy of lease is required. Proof of Portsmouth residency is required for home-based businesses.
Entities of local, state, or federal government, religious organizations, and residential-use businesses are prohibited from applying. Businesses current with City of Portsmouth taxes and fees Maximum Grant Award: $2,000 Grant funds must be expended within 90 days of award Recipients of the Smart Start Business Development Grant may only receive funding one time under the program.
No more than two grant applications may be submitted per business principal within a five-year period. Completion of the Santa Clara University's My Own Business Plan Institute (MOBI) online course or provide documentation of completion of an approved equivalent certification course Grant Submission Schedule Applications for the 2026 Fiscal year are accepted according to the submission schedule below.
Applications received after the cutoff date will be considered by the Portsmouth EDA in the following round. Round 1: Open July 1 - 31, 2025 Round 2: Open October 1 - 31, 2025 Round 3: Open January 1 - 31, 2026 Round 4: Open April 1-30, 2026 Application & Approval Process The Smart Start Business Development Grant application is a four-step process.
All applicants must first complete the Santa Clara University's My Own Business Plan Institute (MOBI) online course or provide documentation of completion of an approved equivalent certification course. (Additional resources available. Please contact Portsmouth Economic Development Staff).
Upon completion of the required coursework, the completed Smart Start Business Development Grant application is to be submitted to Portsmouth Economic Development for review and is not considered submitted if incomplete. Completed applications (those containing all required documentation) will be reviewed to determine completion status and adherence with program guidelines.
Approval or denial of an application lies within the discretion of the Portsmouth Economic Development Authority's (EDA) Board of Commissioners, considering factors such as the degree to which the business activities contemplated by the application further the goals of the program, the degree of the need for the funding, the level of funding requested, the amount of program funds remaining for the fiscal year, and any other factors the Board of Commissioners may deem relevant.
When an application is approved, the applicant will enter into a Grant Agreement with the Portsmouth EDA, agreeing to accept the approved grant funds. If the grantee needs to make any changes to the use of grant funds as proposed in the application, the grantee must notify Portsmouth Economic Development in writing in advance of the changes.
The Smart Start Business Development Grant is funded entirely by the Portsmouth Economic Development Authority (EDA). Eligible activities are only those under Section V of these Guidelines and must directly and primarily benefit the business for which the Grant award is received. The maximum grant amount available for any approved application is $2,000.
Recipients of the Smart Start Business Development Grant may only receive funding one time under the program. No more than two grant applications may be submitted per business principal within a five-year period. Funding is available until the funding pool has been exhausted each fiscal year as appropriated.
All recipients are required to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Portsmouth EDA. Recipients have 30 days to begin eligible business activities and 90 days to complete them.
Extensions for an additional 90 days may be granted on a case-by-case basis Small scale production/manufacturing equipment, machinery, tools, etc. Technology and digital infrastructure (hardware, software, digital platforms, etc.) Business furniture and fixtures Wages, benefits, payroll expenses Operating costs (utilities, insurance, etc.) Residential-use furniture Decorative items (wall art, decor, etc.) Required Documentation For Application All documentation must be submitted by the close of the grant application round.
Completed Portsmouth Vendor Registration Form Rev 1-30-2024 Copy of City of Portsmouth business license Copy of "Articles of Organization" from the Virginia SCC Documentation of completion of the Santa Clara University's MOBI online course or of an approved equivalent certification course Complete business plan that includes an explanation of use of grant funding using the MOBI Business Plan Template Two quotes per product/service you will purchase with grant funding Consent for storing submitted data * Yes, I give permission to store and process my data Physical Address of Business * Date of Business Incorporation * Are you SWAM certified?
* Yes Are You a Small Business (10 or less employees)? * Yes Is Your Business Woman Owned? * Yes Is your Business Veteran Owned?
* Yes Is your Business Minority owned? * Yes Number of Full-Time Employees * Number of Part-Time Employees * Point of Contact for Application Name of Grant Applicant Representative * Statement of Need & Business Activity Description * Please provide a brief summary of the planned business activities and a timeline of completion utilizing grant funds.
Funding Amount Requested * All required documentation, including a Portsmouth Business License, a complete and thorough Business Plan and two quotes per product/service must be submitted no later than by the close of the grant application round for the application to be considered complete and submitted. Any applications received that DO NOT HAVE ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED BY THE CLOSE OF THE APPLICATION ROUND WILL BE DENIED.
Completed Form W-9 * Choose File Choose File Completed Portsmouth Vendor Registration Form * Choose File Choose File Copy of City of Portsmouth Business License * Choose File Choose File Copy of "Articles of Incorporation" from Virginia SCC * Choose File Choose File Copy of Co-Working Space 12 Month Lease Required by businesses utilizing a co-working space.
Choose File Choose File Proof of Portsmouth Residency (12 month residential lease or proof of home ownership) Required by businesses utilizing a co-working space and/or home-based businesses. Choose File Choose File Documentation of completion of Santa Clara University Quick Start Entrepreneur Course or an equivalent certification course * Choose File Choose File Business Plan that includes an explanation of the use of grant funding.
* Choose File Choose File Financial Statements & Projections * Choose File Choose File First set of quotes for proposed purchases. * Choose Files Choose Files Second set of quotes for proposed purchases.
* Choose Files Choose Files By signing below, I attest that I have reviewed the details of the Smart Start Business Development Grant Program Guidelines as stated above and agree to the submission of this request to the Portsmouth Economic Development Authority (EDA).
I understand and agree that all grant agreements and awards are at the sole discretion of the Portsmouth EDA Board of Commissioners and because all information furnished in connection with this application for the Smart Start Business Development Grant program involves the use of public funds and as such, may be made public pursuant to the statutes of the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the City of Portsmouth.
I understand that the application is not finalized until the issuance of a grant award letter by the Portsmouth EDA authorizing the commencement of grant-funded activities. I understand that eligible grant-funded business activities must begin no later than 30 days from the date of the issuance of a grant award letter by the Portsmouth EDA, and the deadline for completion is 90 days from the date of the issuance of a grant award letter.
Applicants may request 90 day extensions. Requests for extension must be outlined in a letter directed to the Portsmouth EDA staff, the Portsmouth Economic Development Office, and will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Any subsequent extensions must be at Portsmouth EDA’s sole discretion and will require a vote of the Portsmouth EDA Board of Commissioners.
All business owners, partners, etc. must sign this application form. If the business is owned by a legal entity, organization, or corporation, the applicant must supply corporate legal documents authorizing signer. If signing on behalf of an entity, please state the entity name and your position after the signature.
For questions on completing this application, please contact the Portsmouth Economic Development staff Signature (Printed Applicant Name) * Figuring out your next steps is not always easy. You might have some questions and we want you to know that we're here for you!
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: New and recently established startups and small businesses located in or providing services within the City of Portsmouth, Virginia. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Not specified Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
The Homeless Youth Program is a grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services that funds services for homeless and at-risk youth across Illinois. Administered through the Office of Community and Positive Youth Development, it supports nonprofit organizations delivering shelter, outreach, and support services to young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Eligible applicants are Illinois-based nonprofits with demonstrated capacity to serve youth. Awards range from $100,000 to $800,000 per year under CSFA number 444-80-0711. This is a FY 2026 funding opportunity with an application deadline of May 21, 2025.
Community Investment Tax Credit Program (CITC) is a grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development that provides state tax credit allocations to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, enabling them to attract private donations from individuals and businesses. Donors contributing $500 or more to approved projects receive tax credits equal to 50% of their contribution. The program has leveraged nearly $27 million in charitable contributions to approximately 700 projects statewide. Eligible project areas include education, housing, job training, arts and culture, economic development, and services for at-risk populations. Projects must be located in or serve residents of Maryland's Priority Funding Areas. The application period is typically held annually.
The Families First Community Grant Program is a competitive grant initiative from the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) offering approximately $27 million in funding to support nonprofit organizations serving low-income Tennessee families. Grants fund programs across four priority areas: education, health, economic stability, and family well-being, aligned with TANF goals of promoting self-sufficiency. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits based in Tennessee that provide direct services to economically disadvantaged families. The 2025 application cycle closed July 10, 2025. This program reflects Tennessee's broader commitment to strengthening communities through strategic investment in local organizations that address the root causes of poverty.