Halstead Grant
Halstead Bead, Inc.
$7,500 + $1K supply credit
Premier annual grant for jewelry entrepreneurs
The Halstead Grant awards $7,500 cash plus $1,000 in Halstead jewelry supply credit to emerging jewelry designers running small businesses. One of the most prestigious annual awards in the jewelry industry, it has been awarded every year since 2006. Applicants must design and fabricate original jewelry (not bead stringing or assembly-only) and operate a commercial jewelry business. The grant targets working jewelers at the early growth stage.
- Funding type
- Award
- Level
- Private
- Amount range
- $7,500 – $7,500
- Realistic amount
- $7,500 cash (one winner per year; several runners-up receive supply credit only)
- Deadline
- Annual — applications typically open in June/July; deadline in late September; winner announced in November.
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- lump sum
Who qualifies
- Original jewelry designer and fabricator (not assembly-only or bead stringing)
- Operating a commercial jewelry business (selling, not just hobby production)
- US or Canadian applicant
- Must submit 5 original jewelry pieces as part of application
- Business must be in early- to growth-stage (not a major established brand)
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Equipment and tools for jewelry fabrication
- Inventory of raw materials and supplies
- Website and e-commerce setup
- Marketing, photography, and branding
- Business infrastructure and workspace improvements
Ineligible expenses
- Personal expenses
- Debt repayment
- Expenses unrelated to jewelry business operations
How to apply
-
1
Review eligibility and application guide
Read Halstead Grant guidelines carefully — fabrication and originality requirements are strictly evaluated. Bead stringing and assembly-only jewelry are explicitly excluded.
~4 hrs
-
2
Prepare portfolio of 5 original pieces
Photograph 5 original jewelry pieces per specific submission requirements (plain background, multiple angles). Portfolio quality is a primary evaluation criterion.
~4 hrs
-
3
Write business plan and financials
Prepare a 1-3 year business plan, including financial statements or projections, and describe specifically how the grant funds will be used.
~4 hrs
-
4
Submit complete application package
Submit online via Halstead's grant portal by the September deadline. Incomplete applications are disqualified.
~4 hrs
-
5
Finalist notification and winner announcement
Finalists are notified in October; the winner is publicly announced in November on Halstead's website and social channels.
~4 hrs
Past winners consistently have a cohesive, professionally photographed collection and a realistic, detailed business plan. Generic 'grow my business' usage descriptions lose to specific equipment or inventory plans.
Deadline & timing
The Halstead Grant has followed a consistent summer-to-fall cycle since 2006. Applications open in June or July and close in late September. The winner is announced in November. The 2025 cycle followed this pattern. Check halsteadbead.com each June for the current application window.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.