A Celebrate EDU Microgrant can be used for anything related to your business idea. You could buy a camera for your YouTube channel, build a website for your business, 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 could provide:

• a product, such as skin care products you make or a book that you’ve written
• a service, such as computer repair or photography
• educational or entertainment content, such as a YouTube channel, blog, or social media platform that earns income from advertising or sponsorship

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

You need to submit an application, which our committee will review. 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 once every 2-3 months. The deadline for submissions is the Sunday before the meeting. Any submissions made after the deadline date will be reviewed at the following meeting. The next meeting date is July 6, 2021.

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 provide 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 market their business or develop a new product. Make a plan for 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
• 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.