National Pride Grant (Founders First CDC)
Founders First Community Development Corporation (CDC)
$1,000 + program access
Researched for this program: 5 rejection traps · 3 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
Micro-grant for LGBTQ+ founders
An annual micro-grant program for LGBTQIA+-owned small businesses run by the nonprofit Founders First CDC. Each cycle awards $1,000 micro-grants to 20 LGBTQIA+ business owners nationwide ($20,000 total), paired with complimentary access to Founders First's growth programming — either its 'Passport Community' (valued at $1,499) or 'Zebra Leadership' (valued at $1,699). The grant is open to active US-based businesses led by an LGBTQIA+ CEO, president, or owner with 2–100 employees, at least one year in business, and annual revenue up to $5 million. Applications for 2026 open in April and close May 26, 2026, with 20 finalists announced at a virtual press event.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Private
- Amount range
- $1,000 – $1,000
- Realistic amount
- Selected awardees receive a flat $1,000 micro-grant plus program access. The cash is modest; the programming and visibility are the larger benefit.
- Deadline
- Annual — 2026 cycle: applications open April 2026, close May 26, 2026.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- lump-sum
Who qualifies
- Owner must identify as LGBTQIA+
- Must be the CEO, president, or business owner
- Active US-based business
- Annual business revenue not exceeding $5 million
- Between 2 and 100 employees
- Minimum of 1 year in business
Hard requirements
- Minimum 2 employees
- Reserved for lgbtq owned businesses
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Any legitimate business expense (micro-grant is unrestricted in practice)
- Working capital, marketing, growth activities
Ineligible expenses
- No detailed ineligible-expense list published
How to apply
-
1
Confirm eligibility and pre-register
Verify LGBTQIA+ ownership, US business, 1+ year in business, 2–100 employees, and under $5M revenue. Pre-register ahead of the April open if available.
~0.5 hrs
-
2
Complete the application
Submit the Founders First application form (formstack) before the May 26, 2026 deadline, describing your business and impact.
~1.5 hrs
-
3
Selection and finalist announcement
Applications are reviewed, semi-finalists selected, and 20 finalists announced at a virtual press event. Winners receive the $1,000 micro-grant and program access.
~0.5 hrs
The cash is only $1,000, but the real value is the bundled Founders First programming (Passport Community or Zebra Leadership, worth ~$1,500–$1,700) and the finalist visibility at the virtual press event — treat this as a door into the Founders First ecosystem (which also runs revenue-based financing and other accelerators) rather than a capital play. The 2–100 employee floor of 2 means true solo founders are screened out.
Deadline & timing
Annual cycle aligned with Pride season. Applications reviewed, semi-finalists selected, and 20 finalists announced at a virtual press event. Pre-registration is typically available ahead of the April open.
Deadline: June 1, 2027 — put it in your calendar before you close this tab.
Includes reminders one week and one day before. Verify on the official program page — funders move dates.
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