Hey Brick Builders,
Q3 is officially in full swing, and if you aren’t feeling the heat, you aren’t paying attention. Today is Monday, July 13th: a date that marks a massive turning point for every organization in the federal funding ecosystem.
If you’ve been following the moves we make at BusinessGrants.com, you know I’m always telling you: Funding follows structure. You cannot build a million-dollar vision on a hundred-dollar foundation. As we move deeper into 2026, the distinction between those who "hustle" for grants and those who "build" for sustainability has never been clearer.
This is the year of the Brick Builder. We aren't just looking for "free money." We are building systems that make our organizations irresistible to funders. Whether you’re a mission-driven for-profit or a nonprofit scaling your impact, the rules of the game are changing today.
The Industry Trend: The OMB Overhaul is Now Regulation
If you’ve been treating federal "guidance" like a suggestion, your wake-up call has arrived.
As of today, July 13th, the public comment period for the OMB 2 CFR Part 200 overhaul has officially closed. We’ve seen over 65,000 comments flood in from across the country. Why? Because the Office of Management and Budget is proposing to move the "Uniform Guidance" into the territory of binding regulation.
By October 1, what used to be "soft law" will become the hard-and-fast rulebook of the land. We are looking at a shift to the Uniform Grants Regulation (UGR).
Why This Matters for Brick 4
In my 7 Bricks Framework™, Brick 4 is Financial & Legal Infrastructure. For years, organizations have treated Brick 4 as a "nice-to-have" or something to fix after they win the grant.
I told you: Strong organizations attract funding. Weak organizations chase funding.
With the new OMB changes, including termination-for-convenience clauses, political pre-issuance reviews, and the expansion of E-Verify, compliance is no longer optional. If your infrastructure isn't tight, you aren't just missing out on money: you’re walking into a legal minefield.
Most organizations don't have a funding problem. They have an infrastructure problem. If you want to play in the big leagues of government contracting and federal grants, you must have your systems in place before you hit "submit."
Grant Word of the Day: Stacking
Definition: The strategic layering of multiple funding sources (grants, contracts, individual donors, and corporate sponsorships) to fully fund a single project or initiative.
The Brick Builder Tip: Diversified stacks win. If your organization relies on a single grant to survive, you don't have a business; you have a countdown clock. Audit your funding stack quarterly. Are you over-leveraged in one area? Brick 5 (Multiple Streams of Revenue) demands that you layer your capital so that if one "brick" is removed, the house doesn't fall down.
Case Study: From the Hamster Wheel to a $50k Win
I recently worked with a founder who was exhausted. She was on the "RFP Hamster Wheel": writing proposal after proposal, chasing every shiny object that hit her inbox, and getting rejected every single time.
She thought she had a "writing" problem. She didn't. She had a Brick 4 problem.
We stopped the writing and started the building. We spent 30 days tightening her financial systems, documenting her delivery processes, and ensuring her legal infrastructure was airtight. We moved her from "chasing" to "attracting."
Implementation beats information every time.
Once her infrastructure was solid, she submitted one targeted proposal. Because she could prove her capacity and compliance, she wasn't just another applicant: she was a partner. She landed a $50,000 win within 90 days of fixing her foundation.
Don't leave money on the table because your house is built of straw. Build it with bricks.
Fresh Funding: For-Profit Opportunities
1. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: Rolling monthly through December 2026.
- The Scoop: Verizon is focusing on helping small businesses level up their digital presence. You must complete a combination of two eligible courses or events on their platform to unlock the application.
- Link: Apply for Verizon Digital Ready
2. Galaxy Grants
- Amount: $4,250
- Deadline: July 31, 2026.
- The Scoop: A quick-entry grant designed to support women and minority entrepreneurs. This is a great "stacking" grant to add to your quarterly revenue.
- Link: Galaxy Grants via US Chamber
3. Shophand Small Business Boost Grant
- Amount: $5,000 total ($2,500 cash + $2,500 in services)
- Deadline: August 1, 2026.
- The Scoop: This grant provides a mix of capital and the expert services needed to implement your growth strategy.
- Link: Shophand Grant Details
Fresh Funding: Nonprofit Opportunities
1. USDA GusNIP Produce Prescription Program
- Amount: Up to $500,000
- Deadline: July 16, 2026.
- The Scoop: Focused on the "Food as Medicine" movement. This program supports projects that demonstrate and evaluate the impact of produce prescriptions on health outcomes and healthcare costs.
- Link: USDA GusNIP Strategy
2. FY2026 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)
- Amount: $300 Million total allocation.
- Deadline: July 24, 2026.
- The Scoop: This is a massive opportunity for houses of worship, schools, and community centers to fund physical security enhancements and cybersecurity. You must apply through your State Administrative Agency (SAA).
- Link: FEMA NSGP Funding Alert
3. Susan Harwood Training Grant
- Amount: $12.7 Million total allocation.
- Deadline: July 31, 2026.
- The Scoop: Managed by OSHA, this grant funds education and training for workers and employers on workplace safety and health hazards.
- Link: Susan Harwood Grant News
Build Your Million-Dollar Foundation
The window is closing on these opportunities, but the window for building your foundation is always open. If you are tired of chasing and ready to start winning, you need a system, not a tip.
Stop guessing and start winning. Join us in the Million Dollar Grant Club, where we give you the tools, the templates, and the "Wolf" mentality needed to secure recurring funding.
Ready to see where your bricks are missing? Take the Funding Readiness Assessment here and let’s start building.
About Ty Woods
Ty Woods is the CEO of BusinessGrants.com and the creator of the 7 Bricks Framework™. As a master strategist and "Wolf" in the world of fund development, she has helped hundreds of nonprofit and for-profit leaders move from founder-burnout to sustainable CEO leadership. She is the author of The House the Pigs Built With 7 Bricks and is dedicated to ensuring mission-driven leaders never leave money on the table.
Connect with the community: Join BusinessGrants.com
Leave a Reply