A Celebrate EDU Microgrant can be used for anything related to your business idea. You could buy a camera for your photography business, build a website to showcase your products, purchase supplies to create art or jewelry, or buy supplies for your dog walking business. Pretty much anything related to your business idea is fine, but you do have to submit the receipts for items purchased with your follow-up survey and report. Please be as specific as possible when sharing what you will use the Microgrant for in your application!

A Celebrate EDU Microgrant is available to support new or emerging business ideas that are driven by the interest of the self-advocate. If you have an established business that has generated more than $3,000 in revenue, you are not eligible to receive Microgrant funding.

Your business must offer direct sales to customers by selling:

• A product, such as dog treats, artwork, or food
• A service, such as computer repair, landscaping or photography

Additional requirements:

• Business startup costs cannot exceed $2,500 – to ensure that the Microgrant makes an impact on the business’s success.
• Businesses must generate revenue from sales to customers (not through influencer marketing or ad sales)
• Businesses must be located in the United States or Canada

Your business concept must conform to legal requirements and may not involve any of the following categories:

• Multi-level marketing or pyramid models
• Affiliated with a religious organization
• Franchisee of another business
• Cannabis or marijuana industry
• Involved in political campaigns or lobbying
• Nonprofit organization
• Investment management
• Providing direct services to people with disabilities

You need to submit an application, which our committee will review. After the 1st committee meeting, you may be asked to submit additional materials. If we select your business to receive a grant, you will be asked to complete our finance and budgeting course online and submit a business budget before receiving funds.

The Microgrant Committee meets 3 to 4 times per year. The deadline for submissions is typically a few weeks before the meeting.

After you complete the finance and budgeting course and submit your business budget, we will send a check for the Microgrant. You will need to save and submit all receipts for items purchased with your Microgrant funds.

That is up to you! Some people use the money to purchase better equipment or supplies, others use it to promote their business. Make sure to have a plan for how you will use the money before you apply. If you receive a grant, you will have the chance to take our online entrepreneurship courses to help build your business skills.

• Have a clear and specific business idea
• Explain clearly why you are interested in running this business
• Understand who your potential customers will be
• Provide something that makes you different from your competition
• Have a realistic project plan, timeline, and budget (less than $2,500)
• Clearly explain what product or service your business sells

Ideally, you’ll have completed some business education and research, though you certainly don’t have to be an expert.

The business idea MUST be driven by the self-advocate. We encourage parents, family members, and staff to be active support people. However, we do not accept business ideas that are primarily driven by a parent or support person.

If you don’t have a business idea yet, we recommend looking into Spark 101, which is our signature course focused on helping people explore their options and find interest-based self-employment or employment options. You can also check out our resources page and our other course offerings.

Ah yes, the boring legal mumbo jumbo! You can read the Terms & Conditions here and the program rules here.