Power Forward Small Business Grant
Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation / Vistaprint / NAACP
$25,000
Researched for this program: 5 rejection traps · 5 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
$25K for Black-owned businesses in New England
The Power Forward Small Business Grant awards $25,000 to Black-owned small businesses in New England (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and select Connecticut areas). A partnership between the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, Vistaprint, and NAACP, the program has awarded $1.5M+ across four cycles to 59 businesses since launch. Recipients also receive marketing resources, national brand exposure, and Vistaprint design services.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Private
- Amount range
- $25,000 – $25,000
- Realistic amount
- $25,000 flat — all selected recipients receive the full amount. Marketing and design resources from Vistaprint have addi…
- Deadline
- Rolling rounds — the 2025/2026 application cycle closed as of March 2026. Monitor helloalice.com/power-forward for next round opening. Program has run multiple rounds per year historically.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- MA, ME, NH, RI, VT, CT
- Payment model
- lump sum
Who qualifies
- Business must be Black-owned (majority Black ownership required)
- Business must have 1 to 25 employees
- Business must be based and operating in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, or select areas of Connecticut
- For-profit businesses only
- Applicant must be able to demonstrate community impact of their small business
Hard requirements
- Demographic eligibility: black-owned
- Location restriction: New England — must be based and operating in MA, ME, NH, RI, VT, or select CT areas
- Max 25 employees
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Working capital and operating expenses
- Equipment and business assets
- Marketing and advertising
- Hiring and payroll
- Inventory
- Technology and software
- Renovation and improvements
Ineligible expenses
- Personal expenses
- Debt repayment
- Businesses outside New England's qualifying states
- Non-Black-owned businesses
How to apply
-
1
Create a Hello Alice account and set up grant notifications
Visit helloalice.com and create a free small business account. Complete your business profile thoroughly — Hello Alice uses this profile to match you to eligible grants including Power Forward. Enable notifications for NAACP and Power Forward updates.
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2
Apply through Hello Alice when the round opens
Submit at helloalice.com/power-forward when the application opens. Application includes: Black ownership documentation, business description and employee count (1–25), New England location verification, and a community impact narrative describing how your business benefits your local community.
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3
NAACP reviews applications
NAACP and program partners review all applications. Selection criteria prioritizes Black-owned businesses with demonstrated community impact, financial need, and located in qualifying New England areas.
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4
Receive $25,000 grant and Vistaprint resources
Recipients are notified and receive the $25,000 grant along with customized marketing and design resources from Vistaprint. Awardees are featured on national co-branded platforms including the Boston Celtics and Vistaprint websites and social channels.
Geographic restriction to New England is firm. Community impact narrative is a key differentiator — businesses with documented local hiring, neighborhood ties, or community events score higher. Hello Alice profile completeness directly affects match score.
Deadline & timing
Applications were closed as of March 2026 for the current season. Program has run multiple cohorts since launch. Monitor helloalice.com/power-forward for new round openings. Applications go through Hello Alice — create an account and enable notifications for this grant.
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