Grow Your Business During National Small Business Week 2024

National Small Business Week 2024 celebrates the resilience and tenacity of American entrepreneurs! Small businesses help to power the American economy. What’s more, they fuel job growth and economic activity. According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses generate a staggering 1.5 million jobs annually, comprising a significant 64% of all new jobs created in the country. Additionally, small businesses contribute a substantial 44% to the overall economic activity of the United States. As the number of these entrepreneurial ventures continues to rise, so does their contribution to our nation’s economy.

There are currently more than 1,000 grants available to small businesses. Nonetheless, you must thoroughly read and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for these funding opportunities before applying. Even better, GrantWatch also lists grants specific to startups and entrepreneurs!

A Brief History of National Small Business Week

National Small Business Week (NSBW) was first proclaimed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, to honor the top entrepreneurs in every state with awards and special recognition. After this inaugural celebration, the week became an annual practice to encourage other small business owners and enable them to learn from the success stories of the top performers.

National Small Business Week is a time to honor and celebrate America’s entrepreneurs and innovative startups.
Isabella Casillas Guzman, 27th Administrator of the SBA 

For almost 70 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration has worked to assist and counsel small businesses to flourish in the land of opportunity. Small businesses in America, are defined as independent businesses that have fewer than 500 employees. Today, there are 33.2 million small businesses in America, which combined roughly account for 99.9% of all U.S. businesses.

National Small Business Week

Today, May 3, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hosted the Administrator’s 34th Annual Small Business Programs Award Ceremony. The ceremony recognizes the exceptional achievements of small businesses, EPA programs, employees, and partners for their outstanding performance in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. This prestigious event, held in conjunction with National Small Business Week, celebrates the impactful contributions made by these entities from across the nation.

Funding for Small Businesses

As outlined on their website, the SBA does not provide grants for starting and expanding a business. Rather, the SBA provides resources on how to Plan, Launch, Manage, and Grow your business. However, if you are seeking grants for small businesses, GrantWatch has everything you need. Our extensive directory has almost 7500 grants accepting applications right now. The following is a short list of grant we’ve mined for you.

Funding Opportunities for Small Businesses

1. Global Warming Grants: $65,000 to businesses and researchers for projects that address global warming.
2. Sound Recording Grants: Grants to sound recording organizations to expand build organizational capacity. Funding encourages business growth.
3. Lower Emissions: Grants to businesses and government agencies to lower emission levels. Funding is for projects that power zero-emission stationary agricultural pumps.
4. Career Development, Research, and Art Production: Grants up to $20,000 for businesses to support magazine, book, recording, and film production.
5. Magazine Publishers Grants: Magazine publishers may apply for grants for initiatives that promote business growth.
6. Local Music Industry Grants:  $4,000 to musicians and businesses to produce new music. Funding is intended to strengthen the local music industry. 
7. Green Practices: Grants to businesses for initiatives that help reduce pollution and build a healthier environment for area residents.
8. Arts-Based Grants: Up to $1,000 to businesses and arts professionals to create arts-related programming for local communities.
9. Book Publisher Grants: Grants to book publishers for business development support. Funding assists with capacity-building projects as well as with marketing activities that promote publications.
10. Rural Community Development Grants: Grants to USA and territories nonprofit organizations and IHEs to expand business development in rural communities. 

To conclude, we wish our readers a Happy #NationalSmallBusinessWeek!

About GrantWatch

With close to 8,000 grants currently available, GrantWatch.com is the leading grant listing directory. Upgrade to a MemberPlus+ subscription to view the full grant details, including eligibility criteria and application information. For more information, you can also visit the GrantWatch FAQ page. To see the great value of all 20 of the top GrantWatch features, click here. See the latest episode of GrantTalk, powered by GrantWatch, with host Libby Hikind. You don’t want to miss this. Visit us on YouTube weekly. Get your copy of The Queen of Grants: From Teacher to Grant Writer to CEO, by Libby Hikind.