What is Side Hustle Grants?

Our goal is to bridge the gap between aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners and dreamers with the financial support they need to launch and grow their side hustles or small business by providing merit based grants up to $5,000. We aim to provide accessible funding opportunities, valuable resources, and a supportive community that fosters growth and success.

Do I Qualify?

YES! It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, tell your story by answering two simple questions.

Why do we, Side Hustle Grants, do what we do?

We are driven by a deep-seated belief in the potential of entrepreneurship. We recognize the systemic barriers and biases that hinder their progress and are committed to dismantling these obstacles. Our mission is fueled by a desire to create a more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial landscape where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. We are dedicated to empowering you, fostering community, and driving positive change in the world of entrepreneurship.

What does Side Hustle Grants do?

At Side Hustle Grants, we provide grants to offering $5,000 per grant paid over two equal installments. The submission deadline is published on our website, and shortlisted candidates are contacted via email, generally about 8 weeks past the deadline. Whether your business is in the ideation stage or generating revenue, we welcome all applicants, whether it's a sneaky side hustle or your full-time endeavor. Our grants are open to businesses of any type, from traditional brick-and-mortar establishments to tech-enabled ventures, serving both B2C and B2B markets. However, we do not fund businesses related to cannabis, vice industries, or those based on hate.

What do I get if I am selected?

If you are selected for the Side Hustle Grant, you will receive a $5,000 grant with no strings attached.

This is our biggest differentiator—we understand first hand how funding sources often make you jump through unnecessary hoops. But not here. In addition to the grant, you will also have access to valuable resources and support, including:

- An Entrepreneur Business Yoda to mentor and coach you;

- Go-to-market (GTM) support to help you grow and acquire paying customers; and

- On-demand resources to guide you through your entrepreneurial journey.

What are the strings attached? How do I qualify or what do I need to prove to you?

There are absolutely no strings attached. This is our biggest differentiator—we understand first hand how funding sources often make you jump through unnecessary hoops. But not here. We believe in keeping the process straightforward and accessible, with no hoops to jump through.

How do you select the grant recipients?

Our selection process is as simple and straightforward as our two question application.

Grant Selection Process

Our process is simple, fair, and designed to identify the most promising candidates for our grants and may take up to 8 weeks.

Selection Criteria

Our two-question application and merit-based selection process are straightforward. Every application is thoroughly reviewed and evaluated by experienced professionals from diverse industries. Submissions are assessed based on passion, potential impact, and alignment with our values. Finalists are invited to a blind interview, after which a panel votes to determine the grant recipients.

We review and evaluate every grant application and choose finalists from our pool of applicants to be shortlisted for the grants. We then conduct blind interviews with each finalist to gain a better understanding of both you and your business, ensuring legitimacy. There’s no need for extensive preparation; we simply want to hear about your vision firsthand. The grant winners are announced the following month, or if they are still in stealth mode, upon their launch. This announcement is made public via our website and social media channels.

Each submission is carefully evaluated based on a set of criteria including the passion, impact, and potential. After all applications are reviewed and shortlisted candidates interviewed, the panel votes to determine the winning submission. This process ensures that grants are awarded in a fair and unbiased manner and allows flexibility to capture a broad array of candidates.

Shortlisting and Interviews

Shortlisted candidates are contacted for a 30-minute open discussion. This session helps us better understand the applicant and their business while confirming the legitimacy of the application. No preparation is required—just the vision and passion, which founders already know inside out.

Winners are announced the following month. For those in stealth mode, the announcement is aligned with their launch. Results are shared publicly via our website and social media channels.

Key Notes:

Contact is made via the email provided in your application.

Due to the high volume of submissions, we’re unable to respond to every applicant..

How do I apply?

Simply answer two questions on the application page:

What inspired you to start your business, and what is your vision for its future?

How do you plan to utilize the grant to further your entrepreneurial endeavors?

At the heart of our grants, there's no limit to your business dream. From pioneering scientists to artisan bakers, we encourage diverse passions and pursuits. So what truly matters is you— driving the business forward. We value authenticity over corporate jargon; past winners have simply shared their stories—real passion and vision can’t be faked—so let yours shine. We seek not only business acumen but also the fiery passion that fuels your entrepreneurial journey.

Can I apply more than once in the same round?

There is no point, we will review your application and submitting it multiple times in any one month serves no purpose.

Can I apply to multiple rounds?

Yes, absolutely. If you are still unsuccessful after your third month, please drop an email info@sidehustlegrants.com so we can give you some guidance..

Who is eligible to apply?

18 years or older based in the USA with a business idea or existing business.

I have not started my business yet, it is still swishing around in my head, can I apply?

Yes, absolutely.

I have started my business, I am not a start up, can I apply?

Yes, absolutely.

I have not set up a company, I have not incorporated, I do not have a web or social media presence, and it is still me, myself and I. Can I still apply?

Yes, absolutely.

There are so many scams today - how do I know you are legitimate?

Check out our testimonials from past winners, reels on our social media - and if you an entrepreneurial you would know this - there is no way Google, Insta and TikTok would allow us to run addes unless we proved we are a legitimate business - which we did - which is why we can legitimately run ads.

When is the application deadline?

Posted on the website for each round of Grants.

How do I know that you've received my application?

We send you a confirmation email to the email address you list (make sure it is correct) which will also contain other grants for you to apply for - you are on a roll so why not go the whole way. And we WANT you to succeed. As always, check spam. This confirmation email will be sent after the application fee payment.

What criteria do you use to select a grant winner?

We consider several key factors in our selection process:

Your story:

We're seeking applicants with qualities like passion, business acumen, and a clear vision. People who genuinely believe in their ventures tend to captivate us with their stories, inspiring us to believe in their potential too.

Plans for growing/starting your business:

We want to understand how you think about and approach converting your vision to achievable success. Share insights into the pain points, the market, the opportunity, what triggered you, the obstacles you've overcome, and the challenges you still face.

Plans for the grant money:

Detail how you would invest the grant if you were to win. The more specific you can be, the better. Whether it's setting up a digital presence based on your idea, investing in marketing efforts, or enhancing your product/service, we want to know how the grant will fuel your entrepreneurial journey. What is your most pressing need? How will the money help? What outcome are you hoping for?.

Why do you charge an application fee? Do you charge additional fees if I'm awarded a grant?

There is a small application fee of $25. This fee defrays operation & administrative costs, ensures a thorough & fair review process, helps maintain and supports the provision of grants. The application fee enables us to sustain and fund the grant program and our operations, including the thorough review of each application by REAL people, as much as we love AI, AI lacks the heart and soul to really connect with and understand women- how we think, why we do what we do and how we do it. The nominal $25 application fee is non-refundable and is the only fee we charge, there are no additional fees if you are awarded a grant.

Philosophically - think about it - the best way for entrepreneurs to get to our fair share of wealth creation is through a greater share of the capital economy by being self sustaining in commerce and business - not through hand outs. As entrepreneurs, we need to build, own and lead more businesses and more of Corporate America. So the fee is us practicing what we preach.

Will you contact me if I don’t make the shortlist?

Unfortunately, due to the number of applicants, we are not able to notify candidates who did not make the shortlist.

What are your Social Media accounts?

https://www.instagram.com/sidehustlegrants

https://www.tiktok.com/@sidehustlegrants

https://www.facebook.com/profilesidehustlegrants