Listen, Brick Builder: if you’ve been waiting for a “sign” to start scaling your mission, look at your calendar. We are officially in the heart of the summer, and while most people are slowing down and checking out for vacation, the high-performers are leaning in.
I see it every year: organizations that stop hunting for capital in June find themselves starving in September. We call this the Summer Funding Surge, and today’s briefing is designed to ensure you don’t leave a single dollar of free money on the table.
At BusinessGrants.com, we don’t just give you a list of links. We give you a system. Whether you’re a nonprofit founder fighting for your community or a mission-driven CEO scaling a for-profit empire, you need to understand that grants are more than just "free money": they are the fuel for your Brick 6.
Spotlight: Brick 6 – Brand, Marketing, & Sales
In our 7 Bricks Framework™, Brick 6 is all about visibility and conversion. Most founders think they need a grant just to "pay the bills." That’s a poverty mindset. A "Wolf" knows that a grant is a strategic tool to amplify your brand.
When you win one of the awards listed below, you aren't just getting a check; you’re getting a seal of approval. You’re getting a story to tell your donors, your customers, and your board. You are proving that your "House" is built on a solid foundation.
Let’s get into the opportunities waiting for you this week.
For-Profit Opportunities: Fueling the Entrepreneurial Spirit
For my for-profit Brick Builders, these three opportunities are industry-agnostic. It doesn't matter if you're in tech, retail, or professional services: if you have a U.S.-based business, these are for you.
1. Skip’s $10,000 Summer Grant
- The Opportunity: A straight-to-the-point $10,000 grant for small business owners.
- Deadline: June 30 / July 1, 2026.
- Eligibility: Open to all U.S.-based entrepreneurs (18+) across any industry or stage of growth.
- Why it matters: Skip has a long track record of supporting the "underdog" entrepreneur. This is one of the most accessible five-figure grants available right now.
- Winning Tip: Don’t just talk about your product. Talk about your impact. How will this $10K allow you to serve more people or create a job? Numbers tell, but stories sell.
- Apply at: helloskip.com
2. Global Citizen x PayPal Small Business Impact Awards
- The Opportunity: 15 winners will receive a $20,000 cash prize plus high-level resources.
- Deadline: July 19, 2026.
- Eligibility: Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees or less than $1M in revenue that have been active for at least 3 years. You must demonstrate a social or environmental impact.
- Why it matters: This isn't just a check; it's a partnership with two global powerhouses. This is a massive "Brick 6" move for your brand.
- Winning Tip: Align your mission with Global Citizen’s core pillars (poverty, planet, or equity). If your business solves a community problem while making a profit, shout it from the rooftops.
- Apply at: GlobalCitizen.org
3. Darcy’s Business Freedom Grant
- The Opportunity: A $1,000 micro-grant designed to provide "freedom" in your operations.
- Deadline: June 30, 2026.
- Eligibility: Aspiring and existing small business owners nationwide.
- Why it matters: Sometimes, $1,000 is the difference between hiring that first virtual assistant or buying that piece of software that automates your sales.
- Winning Tip: Be specific about the "bottleneck" this grant will break. Transparency wins every time.
Nonprofit Opportunities: Scaling the Mission
To my nonprofit executives: the landscape is changing. Foundations are looking for efficiency and innovation. If you are still running your nonprofit like a "charity" instead of a high-impact business, you will get passed over. These three grants are looking for Brick Builders.
1. OpenAI Foundation People-First AI Fund
- The Opportunity: Part of a $50M total pool, offering unrestricted grants up to $500,000.
- Deadline: July 15, 2026.
- Eligibility: U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations with annual budgets between $500K and $10M.
- Why it matters: This is HUGE. Most grants are restricted. OpenAI is offering unrestricted funds. They don't care if you don't know AI; they care about organizations that put people first.
- Winning Tip: Focus on how your organization empowers individuals. If you can show a clear roadmap for how technology could scale your reach, you are a top-tier candidate.
- Apply at: OpenAI.com/Foundation
2. Michael Jordan / Jordan Brand Black Community Commitment
- The Opportunity: The 7th annual community grant program, awarding significant funds (up to $3M in the past).
- Deadline: July 2, 2026.
- Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofits with budgets between $100K and $3M, focused on Economic Opportunity or Education.
- Why it matters: The Jordan Brand is synonymous with excellence. Winning this grant positions your organization as a leader in the fight for economic justice.
- Winning Tip: Ensure your Brick 4 (Financial & Legal Infrastructure) is tight. Large foundations like this will scrutinize your 990s and your board's engagement.
3. Harold & Carole Pump Foundation Community Impact Award
- The Opportunity: Awards of $25K and $50K (the $100K track is currently closed, so move fast on these!).
- Deadline: July 24, 2026.
- Eligibility: Open to U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
- Why it matters: The Pump Foundation is world-renowned for its commitment to community health and cancer research, but their impact awards cover a broader range of community needs.
- Winning Tip: They value legacy and "heart." Share a specific testimonial from someone whose life was changed by your work in the last 12 months.
The 7 Bricks Strategy: Why This Matters
You might be looking at this list and thinking, "Ty, I don't have time to apply for all of these."
Stop right there. That is the "Humble Pig" mindset. The "Wolf" knows that you don't need more time; you need better systems.
If your Brick 4 (Financials) and Brick 3 (Programs) are documented, applying for a grant is just a matter of "copy, paste, and polish." If you find yourself reinventing the wheel every time you open a grant application, you haven't built your House with Bricks yet. You're still using straw.
Winning Tip of the Week: The "Double Your Investment" Rule
At BusinessGrants.com, we promise to keep working with you until you double your investment in our strategies. Why? Because we know that if you follow the 7 Bricks Framework™, winning is inevitable.
When you apply for any of the grants above:
- Check your 501(c)(3) status/Business Registration. Is it active?
- Review your Board (Brick 2). Do you have their 100% support?
- Audit your Brand (Brick 6). If the grant reviewer looks at your website right now, do they see a professional organization or a hobby?
Ready to Stop Guessing and Start Winning?
The summer surge is here, but it won't last forever. If you want a professional team to review your applications, provide a pre-submission approval workflow, and give you the high-touch support you need to scale, you need to be in the club.
Join the Grant Club today for just $97/month. Get the research, the tools, and the community of Brick Builders who are making things happen.
Join the Grant Club & Start Building
About Ty Woods
Ty Woods, MBA, is the CEO of BusinessGrants.com and the creator of the 7 Bricks Framework™. Known as the "#1 expert in building grant-ready organizations," Ty has dedicated his career to helping mission-driven founders and CEOs stop leaving money on the table. Through his books, coaching, and AI-powered tools, he empowers leaders to scale their impact and secure sustainable, recurring funding.
Connect with the Community:
- Website: BusinessGrants.com
- Programs: Founders Circle & CEO Society
- Book: The House the Pigs Built With 7 Bricks
Social Media Snippets (Copy & Paste)
Option 1: The Call to Action (LinkedIn)
🚀 The "Summer Funding Surge" is officially here! Most founders check out in June, but the Brick Builders are leaning in. I just dropped the June 24th Grant Wednesday Briefing featuring $50M+ in available capital for for-profits and nonprofits. Don't leave money on the table while your competitors are on vacation. 🧱 Read the full briefing here: [Link] #GrantWednesday #BusinessGrants #TyWoods #7Bricks
Option 2: The Framework Focus (LinkedIn)
Is your Brick 6 strong enough to win a $500K grant? 🧐 Funding follows excellence. If your brand doesn't match your mission, you're losing money every single day. In this week's briefing, I break down why your Brand & Marketing are the keys to unlocking OpenAI and Jordan Brand funding. 🐺 Get the list: [Link] #NonprofitLeadership #Entrepreneurship #FundingStrategy
Option 3: Short & Punchy (Twitter/X)
$10K for small businesses? $500K for nonprofits? The June 24th Grant Wednesday Briefing is LIVE. Stop guessing and start building. 🧱✨ [Link] #Grants #SmallBiz #Nonprofit
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