With the arrival of Fall, we have curated our monthly list of grants and funding opportunities featuring funding to commemorate Small Business Saturday, coming up on November 25th. Take a look at the compilation of funding below, which includes Entrepreneurship and Innovation opportunities that may be relevant to your needs.

Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) 

ACE is a Georgia 501(c)(3) nonprofit and community development financial institution (CDFI) that provides capital, coaching, and connections to help borrowers create and grow sustainable businesses that generate jobs. We have provided more than $171 million in loans and business advisory services to support 2,300+ small business owners and helped create or save 18,000+ jobs for Georgians. Providing loans to eligible business owners to meet the demands of their growing business is one of our hallmarks. We do this by delivering Capital, Coaching, and Connections for underserved borrowers and communities that create and retain jobs in our market area. See loan details below to begin the process. 

https://aceloans.org/apply-for-a-loan/small-business-loans/

Pilot | G2 Overachievers Grant 

Pilot Pen is once again looking for true Overachievers—adults and students who go above and beyond to make their communities and our world better for us all. Whether it’s an individual going above and beyond their 9-to-5 job to improve their community, a student making a difference outside their classroom or another noble effort, we want to hear about it and give these Overachievers the recognition they deserve. Note: All nomination stories must be handwritten. 

https://powertothepen.com/g2overachievers/

WomensNet | Amber Grant for Women 

WomensNet founded the “Amber Grant” in 1998. The grant was set up with one goal in mind: to honor the memory of a very special young woman, Amber Wigdahl, who died at just 19 years old — before realizing her business dreams. Today, WomensNet carries on that tradition, proudly giving away at least $30,000 every month in Amber Grant money. 

https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/business-grants-women-georgia/

Georgia Tech – Enterprise Innovation Institute | Economic Development Research Program (EDRP) 

The mission of EDRP is to assist local communities by providing affordable economic development and policy research to enhance their competitive positions. The types of research include strategic planning and visioning, economic forecasting, fiscal and economic impact analysis, community assessments, downtown development planning, and workforce analysis and planning to name a few. If your community has a need for economic development research, is willing to become actively involved in the project during the study phase and follow-up implementation, and is willing to provide some level of cost match, Georgia Tech and EDA want to partner with you to conduct the research. 

http://cedr.gatech.edu/edrp/

Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) | State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) 

The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (the “Act”) became law in the fall of 2010. The Act created the State Small Business Credit Initiative, funded with $1.5 billion to strengthen state lending programs that support small businesses and manufacturers. Of the total amount funded, Georgia was allocated $48,024,748. Currently, Georgia’s SSBCI offers two programs. 

1. GA LPP (Georgia Loan Participation Program) is a program where the State purchases a participation of up to 25% of an approved loan, for loans ranging from $100,000 to $5,000,000. 

2. Georgia SBCG (Small Business Credit Guaranty) is a 50% loan guaranty program with a current maximum loan amount of $400,000 with a $200,000 guarantee. 

https://www.dca.ga.gov/community-economic-development/funding-programs/state-small-business-credit-initiative-ssbci