From the Founder & CEO
"Funding follows structure. Implementation beats information."
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you’ve heard me say those words. But as we sit here in July 2026, those aren't just catchphrases: they are the survival code for the next 90 days.
We are officially entering the most aggressive funding sprint I have seen in my career. Because the FY2026 appropriations weren't signed until February 3rd, federal agencies have been forced to cram a 12-month spending plan into a seven-month window. The clock is ticking toward September 30th: the hard deadline for agencies to obligate these billions of dollars.
Right now, there is a massive "use it or lose it" energy in Washington.
But here is the hard truth: Most founders are going to miss out. Why? Because they are acting like Huffer-Puffers. They are chasing the money instead of building the foundation that attracts it. They are trying to "find a grant" to save a sinking ship, rather than building a "Brick House" that funders are desperate to invest in.
At BusinessGrants.com, we teach the 7 Bricks Framework™. In this Q4 sprint, Brick 4 (Financial & Legal Infrastructure) and Brick 5 (Multiple Streams of Revenue) are your MVP bricks. If your books aren't clean and your strategy isn't diversified, you’re just making noise.
Strong organizations attract funding. Weak organizations chase it. This newsletter is your blueprint to stop chasing and start building. Don't leave money on the table because you weren't ready for the sprint.
Be a Brick Builder.
Ty Woods
CEO, BusinessGrants.com
Funding Trends to Watch: The FY2026 Compressed Timeline
The federal government operates on a fiscal year that ends on September 30th. Normally, they have all year to roll out programs. This year, the delay in appropriations meant that the "starting gun" didn't really fire until late February.
What this means for you:
- The "Summer Surge": Agencies are dropping Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) at a record pace. If you aren't checking Grants.gov or our internal grant list weekly, you’re already behind.
- Cross-Sector Partnerships are the New Gold Standard: We are seeing a massive shift in scoring criteria. Federal funders are no longer interested in "siloed" projects. They want to see Brick 7 (Leadership & Team) in action through collaborations. If you are a nonprofit, are you partnering with a local small business? If you are a for-profit, is there a university or community organization in your stack?
- The Complexity Gap: Because the timeline is compressed, the window to apply is shorter. This favors the "Brick Builders": those who already have their SOPs, board lists, and financial audits ready to go in a digital vault.
Resource Spotlight: The 7 Bricks Framework™
Every successful funding story we’ve ever seen: across more than $625 million in funded projects: has one thing in common: a solid foundation.
We use the 7 Bricks Framework™ to move organizations from "Huffer-Puffer" status to "Brick Builder" status.
- Brick 1: Mission & Mindset – Are you a Founder or a CEO?
- Brick 2: Board Governance – Is your board donating or just debating?
- Brick 3: Strategic Programming – Do your "offers" actually solve a funder's problem?
- Brick 4: Financial & Legal Infrastructure – Are you "Grant Ready" or just "Tax Ready"?
- Brick 5: Multiple Streams of Revenue – Grants are just one piece of the puzzle.
- Brick 6: Brand & Marketing – Does your digital presence match your mission's impact?
- Brick 7: Leadership & Team – Can the organization function without the founder?
If you want to know which of your bricks is crumbling, take our Free Funding Assessment right now.
Case Study: From "Needs-Based" to "Priority-Aligned"
We recently worked with a mid-sized organization that was struggling to secure a major federal contract. Their initial proposal focused entirely on their "need": they needed more staff, a better building, and updated technology.
The Shift: We applied the 7 Bricks Framework. We realized their Brick 3 (Strategic Programming) wasn't aligned with the funder’s priorities.
Instead of asking for money to "fix their problems," we restructured the proposal to show how their expansion would directly solve the funder’s goal of regional workforce development. We brought in a local community college as a Brick 7 partnership and cleaned up their Brick 4 financial tracking to show exactly how every dollar would be audited.
The Result: By shifting from a "Huffer-Puffer" mentality (help us!) to a "Brick Builder" mentality (invest in this solution!), they secured a $1.5M award. They didn't just get the money; they built a sustainable system that attracted it.
Grant Opportunities: The July Sprint List
Here are the top opportunities we are tracking this week.
For-Profit Opportunities
-
Changing the Game Grant (Stanley 1913 & TOGETHXR)
- Amount: $20,000
- Deadline: July 31, 2026
- Eligibility: U.S. food/beverage businesses that prioritize women's sports.
- Winning Tip: This is about Brick 6 (Brand & Marketing). Your social proof and community engagement around women's sports need to be front and center in your pitch.
-
Shophand $5k Small Business Boost
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: August 1, 2026
- Eligibility: Under 50 employees, under $5M revenue. Focus on tech/operational upgrades.
- Winning Tip: Align this with Brick 4. Show how this $5k will automate your systems (SOPs) to help you scale.
-
Santander Food Business Awards
- Amount: ~$20,000
- Deadline: Early August 2026
- Eligibility: Small food-related businesses.
- Winning Tip: Highlight your Brick 5 (Multiple Streams). Show how this grant helps you expand into new markets or revenue channels.
Nonprofit Opportunities
-
Outta Excuses Quarterly Grant
- Amount: $3,000
- Deadline: September 30, 2026 (Fall Cycle)
- Eligibility: Small 501(c)(3) organizations and small businesses.
- Winning Tip: Since this is quarterly, focus on a high-impact, short-term project that demonstrates immediate outcomes.
-
Wells Fargo Foundation Grants
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Rolling (until funds exhausted)
- Eligibility: Focus on housing affordability, financial health, and small business growth.
- Winning Tip: These are relationship-heavy. Focus on Brick 2 (Board Governance): leverage your board’s connections to find a local Wells Fargo representative before applying.
-
Walmart Spark Good Local Grant
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- Deadline: New cycle opening August 2026
- Eligibility: Projects benefiting the local community.
- Winning Tip: This is a volume game. Make sure your local Walmart store manager knows your organization’s face (Brick 6).
Strategy Session: Are You Ready for Q4?
The sprint is on, and the money is moving. But if you don't have a plan, you're just running in circles.
If you’re tired of the "Huffer-Puffer" cycle and you're ready to build a Brick House, come join us. We don't just give you a list of grants; we give you the systems to win them.
- Join the Grant Club: For just $97/month, get expert review and our internal database. Join here.
- Book a Strategy Call: Need a deeper dive? Our advisory team can help you map out your 7 Bricks strategy.
- Check Your Status: Take the Funding Assessment and stop guessing where your foundation is weak.
Stop leaving money on the table. Start building.
About Ty Woods
Ty Woods is the Founder and CEO of BusinessGrants.com and the creator of the 7 Bricks Framework™. With over a decade of experience and $625 million in funded projects under his umbrella, Ty has become the #1 expert in helping nonprofits and mission-driven businesses build grant-ready organizations. He is the author of The House the Pigs Built With 7 Bricks and is dedicated to transforming founders into high-impact CEOs.
Connect with Ty: LinkedIn | BusinessGrants.com
LinkedIn Social Copy Suggestion:
🚨 The Q4 Federal Funding Sprint is HERE. 🚨
Because the budget was signed late (Feb 3rd), agencies are now racing to spend billions before the Sept 30th deadline. If you’re a nonprofit or business owner, you need to shift your strategy NOW.
The biggest trend? Cross-sector partnerships. Federal funders are scoring collaboration higher than ever. If you're working in a silo, you're losing points.
Read this week's Grant Wednesday briefing to see:
✅ Why "Funding follows structure" is your survival code.
✅ 6 Live Grant Opportunities for for-profits and nonprofits.
✅ How to use the 7 Bricks Framework™ to win in Q4.
Read the full briefing here: [Link]
#Grants #SmallBusinessGrants2026 #NonprofitFunding #TyWoods #7BricksFramework #BusinessGrowth
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