Micro Grants Program
Community-driven funding
Small, targeted cash awards for entrepreneurs and community-based ventures. Bottom-up, competitive, and community-driven.
Funding that meets entrepreneurs where they are
Rock Forward's Micro Grants Program provides small, targeted cash awards to entrepreneurs and community-based ventures. Grants are bottom-up, competitive, and community-driven — designed to remove the first financial barrier standing between an idea and action.
Whether you're testing a concept, launching a product, or scaling an established micro-enterprise, our tiered grant structure meets you at your stage. Every dollar is paired with accountability: grantees submit a 90-day impact report documenting outcomes and lessons learned.
Three tiers, one mission
| Tier | Award | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Spark Grant | Up to $500 | Idea-stage, pre-revenue entrepreneurs |
| Launch Grant | $500 – $2,500 | Early-stage businesses (0–12 months) |
| Growth Grant | $2,500 – $10,000 | Established micro-enterprises seeking to scale |
Spark Grant
Idea-stage, pre-revenue entrepreneurs testing a concept or validating demand.
Launch Grant
Early-stage businesses in their first 12 months, ready to operationalize.
Growth Grant
Established micro-enterprises with demonstrated traction, seeking to scale.
What grants can fund
Startup equipment
Tools, machinery, or equipment needed to begin operations.
Product prototyping
Materials and services to build and test a minimum viable product.
Marketing, branding & website
Digital presence, branding assets, and marketing campaigns.
Inventory & working capital
Stock, supplies, and short-term operating funds.
Skills training
Courses, certifications, and professional development.
Bridge funding
Short-term capital for community-benefit projects between funding cycles.
From application to impact in five steps
Application submission
Describe your activity, goals, budget, and expected outcomes. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility screening
Staff review each application for compliance with program guidelines and completeness.
Committee review
An independent panel scores applications on creativity, feasibility, community impact, and sustainability.
Award announcement
Top-scoring applicants receive grants. All applicants receive feedback on their submission.
Reporting
Grantees submit a 90-day impact report documenting outcomes, lessons learned, and use of funds.
Where we direct funding
Priority goes to underrepresented communities, ventures with measurable community impact, and entrepreneurs with demonstrated traction.
Creative Industries
Arts, design, media, and cultural enterprises.
Food Entrepreneurship
Food production, catering, and culinary ventures.
Digital Services
Tech-enabled services, e-commerce, and digital platforms.
Social Enterprises
Community-benefit ventures with social or environmental impact.
Independent, transparent, community-led
Planning Committee
Sets program guidelines, defines grant tiers and eligible uses, and establishes the scoring criteria for each funding cycle. Ensures the program stays aligned with Rock Forward's mission and community needs.
Review Committee
Composed of community members and external advisors who independently score applications. Ensures impartial evaluation based on creativity, feasibility, impact, and sustainability.