Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant (Founders First CDC)
Founders First CDC
$1,000 micro-grant plus a free program (20 finalists)
$1,000 micro-grant plus a free business program for mothers running businesses with 2 or more employees. The 2026 cycle is closed; the next application window is listed as March 9 to April 13, 2027.
The Kitty Fund is a national grant from Founders First CDC for mothers who run employer businesses with 2 to 100 employees. The funder offers $20,000 in total to 20 finalists. Each finalist gets a $1,000 micro-grant plus free access to one Founders First program, Passport Community or Zebra Leadership. The 2026 cycle is closed. The funder lists pre-registration opening January 1, 2027, the full application opening March 9, 2027 and closing April 13, 2027, with finalists announced May 4, 2027.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Foundation
- Amount
- $1,000
- Realistic amount
- $1,000 micro-grant plus a free program seat.
- Deadline
- Closed for 2026. Next cycle (funder's dates): pre-registration opens Jan 1, 2027; applications open Mar 9, 2027 and close Apr 13, 2027.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- Nationwide
Who qualifies
- Identify as a mom business owner
- Must be a CEO, President, or Business Owner
- Must have an active U.S.-based business
- Business annual revenue does not exceed $5M
- Must have between 2 to 100 employees
- Minimum of 1 year in business
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Equipment
- Operations
- Staffing
- Growth
Ineligible expenses
- See official program guidance
How to apply
-
1
Pre-register for the next cycle
Use the Notify Me button on the Kitty Fund page; the funder lists pre-registration opening January 1, 2027.
~5 min
-
2
Submit the full application
Complete the online application during the window the funder lists (March 9 to April 13, 2027). The question set is not published before the window opens.
~2 hrs
-
3
If selected, pick one program and finish paperwork
Finalists choose Passport Community or Zebra Leadership, sign terms if they apply, send a W-9 and set up a Bill.com account to receive the grant.
~3 hrs
Pre-register in January so the March opening does not catch you out. The rules ask for 2 to 100 employees and a year in business, so a solo founder does not qualify.
Deadline & timing
Funder's key dates: Jan 1, 2027 pre-registration opens; Mar 9, 2027 full application opens; Apr 13, 2027 application closes; Apr 16, 2027 semifinalists announced; May 4, 2027 finalists announced at a virtual press event. Dates are the funder's and may move.
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Required documents
- Online application
- If selected: signed Terms and Conditions where they apply, program selection and enrollment, a signed W-9, a verified Bill.com account
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Last updated October 31, 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.