This 4-week (8 hrs total) online class is a practical starting point for Black women for-profit small business owners who want to understand how for-profit small business grants work and submit stronger applications.

How to Win Grants

A 4-Week Live Zoom Class for Black Women With For-Profit Small Businesses.

You do not need another random grant list.

You need to understand:

– Which grants fit your business

– What funders are looking for

– How to explain your funding needs

– How to connect your business to social impact

– How to submit stronger applications

– How to keep applying without becoming discouraged

The How to Win Grants class teaches you the foundation you need to begin finding, applying for, and positioning your business for small business grants and other debt-free funding opportunities.

This class was created for Black women who own at least 51% of a legal, for-profit small business based in the United States.

Grants Are Not Just for Nonprofits.

Many business owners believe grant writing is only for nonprofit organizations.

That is not true.

For-profit small business grants are often granted by:

– Corporations

– Foundations

– Business associations

– Banks

– Accelerators

– Incubators

– Fellowship programs

– Pitch competitions

– Business contests

These applications are different from traditional nonprofit grant proposals.

You usually do not need to write a 40-page proposal.

You need to clearly communicate:

– Who you are

– What your business does

– Who your business serves- What problem you solve

– Why your work matters

– How you will use the funding

– What results the funding can help you produce

That is what you will begin learning inside this class.

This Class Is for You If You Are:

– Searching for small business grants but do not know where to begin

– Applying for grants but receiving rejection after rejection

– Unsure what to say when an application asks about your business story

– Struggling to explain how grant funds would help your business

– Copying generic answers from AI without knowing whether they are strong

– Interested in pitch competitions, accelerators, fellowships, and other funding opportunities

– Ready to stop waiting for one large grant and start building a real funding strategy

– Willing to research, apply, learn, and improve

This Class Is Not for You If:

– Expect someone else to complete every application for you

– Need guaranteed funding

– Want money immediately without doing the work

– Are unwilling to research opportunities

– Plan to apply using several unrelated business ideas at once

– Believe AI should replace your story, experience, or judgment

– Are only looking for government or nonprofit grants

There are no guaranteed grant awards.

You will receive education, examples, feedback, and guidance.

You are still responsible for completing and submitting your applications.

What You Will Learn:

1: How To Understand Small Business Grants

2: How grants for for-profit businesses work (and how they differ from nonprofit grant writing)

We will also discuss:

-What a grant is

– Who offers small business grants- Common grant myths

– What grant reviewers evaluate

– How to identify legitimate opportunities

– The difference between grants, pitch competitions, accelerators, fellowships, and contests

– Why one grant should not be your entire funding plan

You will also begin identifying the strongest funding goal for your business.Week 2: Finding the Right OpportunitiesStop applying for every grant you see.Learn how to search for opportunities that make sense for your business stage, industry, location, identity, goals, and community impact.We will cover:- How to search for grants online- How to find local pitch competitions- How to evaluate eligibility requirements- How to determine whether an opportunity is worth your time- How to research the company or organization offering the funding- How to recognize scams and questionable opportunities- Why eligibility does not always mean alignmentYou will learn how to focus your time on stronger opportunities.Week 3: Writing Stronger Grant Application AnswersGrant reviewers need more than a list of expenses.You must tell a clear story about your business, your customers, your goals, and the results the funding can create.We will discuss how to answer questions about:- Your founder story- Your business mission- The problem your business solves- Your target customer- Your community impact- Your greatest business challenge- How you will use the grant- What will happen after you receive the money- Why your business should be selectedYou will learn how to move beyond answers such as:“I need money for rent, payroll, marketing, inventory, supplies, and equipment.”You will begin explaining what those expenses will help your business accomplish.Week 4: Pitching, AI, and Your Grant StrategySome opportunities will require you to explain your business through a written pitch, video pitch, interview, or live presentation.You will learn:- The difference between an elevator pitch and a competition pitch- How to focus on one business and one funding goal- How to lead with your strongest business story- How to connect your business to measurable social impact- How to explain your use of funds- How to use AI responsibly- How to avoid generic AI-generated answers- How to build confidence after rejection- How to create a consistent application routineYou will leave with a clearer understanding of what to work on next.What Makes This Class DifferentThis class does not only teach theory.You will learn from real businesses, real application questions, real pitches, real feedback, and real grant-winning experiences.Previous class discussions have included businesses seeking funding for:- Commercial kitchen construction- Catering and meal preparation- Transportation and delivery vehicles- Beauty and skincare products- Marketing and advertising- Production materials- Hiring and business support- Reentry and recovery programs- Event spaces- Technology and AI businesses- Consulting and media companiesYou will see how different businesses can improve the way they communicate their needs.Learn From a Grant Winner and Funding EducatorDr. AJ Austin is the founder of Black Women In Grants.She teaches Black women with for-profit small businesses how to find, apply for, and win grants and grant-funded opportunities.After experiencing 42 rejections, Dr. Austin went on to secure more than $200,000 in grants and grant-funded opportunities within 12 months.Her clients and community members have collectively secured more than $500,000 in business funding.Dr. Austin has participated in major business programs and funding opportunities connected to organizations including:- Goldman Sachs- Google- Intuit- Vital Voices- Watson Institute- New York University Stern School of BusinessShe teaches from personal experience.She understands the applications, interviews, pitches, rejections, follow-up, and consistent work required to secure funding.What Past Participants Have LearnedParticipants have reported gaining greater clarity about:- How much funding to request- How to describe the use of funds- How to position their business as a social enterprise- How to connect their personal story to their business- Why community impact matters- How to search for pitch competitions- How to stop relying on generic AI answers- Why persistence is part of the grant process- How to focus on one business goal at a timeOne participant shared that she had previously given up on grants but was now prepared to follow the process and continue applying.Another participant realized she needed to stop asking only for the smallest amount she thought she needed and begin presenting a more complete funding plan.Your Business Needs More Than MoneyMoney cannot fix an unclear business model.A grant cannot replace planning.Funding cannot help you scale if you do not know:- What you are selling- Who you are serving- What you need- What the money will fund- What result you expect- How you will sustain the business after the funding is spentThis class will help you identify the gaps in your funding story before you submit another application.Your Class Includes- Four live Zoom training sessions- Practical small business grant education- Grant application examples- Pitching guidance- Business storytelling support- Social-impact positioning- Ethical AI guidance- Opportunities to ask questions- Replays of each class session- Access to Dr. Austin by email during the class period- Information about additional learning and mentorship opportunitiesClass DetailsClass Format: Live on ZoomLength: Four weeksMeeting Day: [Insert Day]Meeting Time: [Insert Time and Time Zone]Class Dates: [Insert Dates]Investment: [Insert Price]Replay Access: [Insert Replay Access Period]Registration Deadline: [Insert Deadline]You Do Not Need to Feel Completely ReadyYou may still be building your confidence.You may not have your perfect business story.You may not know which grant to apply for first.You may have already received several rejections.You do not need to know everything before joining.You need to be willing to learn, apply, receive feedback, and keep improving.Stop Waiting for Someone to Hand You a GrantGrant funding is competitive.Funders do not select businesses simply because they need money.They select businesses that communicate a clear purpose, strong plan, credible story, and potential for impact.The How to Win Grants class will help you understand how to present those parts of your business more clearly.Enroll in How to Win GrantsJoin Dr. AJ Austin for this four-week live Zoom experience and begin building the knowledge, language, and strategy you need to pursue small business grants with greater confidence.[ENROLL IN HOW TO WIN GRANTS]Space is limited to support live participation and class discussion.Frequently Asked QuestionsWill you find grants for me?You will learn how to search for and evaluate grant opportunities. You may also bring opportunities to class or email them to Dr. Austin for educational feedback during the class period.This is not a done-for-you grant research service.Will you write my applications?No.This class teaches you how to understand and improve your own grant applications.Dr. Austin does not complete grant applications for students.Is this class for nonprofit organizations?No.The primary focus is Black women with for-profit small businesses in the United States.Do I need to be certified as a woman-owned or minority-owned business?No.Many private small business grant opportunities do not require formal minority-owned or woman-owned business certification.Every grant has its own eligibility requirements.Can a startup join?Yes.You should have a clear business concept and be actively working toward establishing or growing your business.Businesses that are legally formed, generating revenue, or already serving customers may qualify for more opportunities.Can I use ChatGPT for grant applications?Yes, but AI should support your thinking rather than replace it.You will learn how to use AI to organize ideas, strengthen clarity, and review answers without removing your voice or submitting generic information.Will I win a grant after taking the class?No one can guarantee that you will win a grant.Your results depend on eligibility, alignment, competition, application quality, consistency, timing, and the decisions of each funder.This class gives you education and guidance to improve your approach.What happens after the four-week class?You may continue applying independently or explore the Grant G.A.M.E. Mentorship Program for deeper training, grant resources, replays, coaching, and ongoing support.Your Next Grant Application Should Be Stronger Than Your Last OneYou may not control who wins.You can control how well you prepare.You can control how clearly you communicate.You can control how consistently you apply.You can control whether you learn from rejection or allow it to stop you.Start building your grant strategy today.[YES, I AM READY TO LEARN HOW TO WIN GRANTS]