Dream Makers Founder Grant

The Dream Makers Founder Grant is a private funding initiative established by Nancy R. Twine and administered through the Fifteen Percent Pledge, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing racial equity and economic justice in the United States. The organization works to address systemic disparities in the consumer economy, particularly those affecting Black-owned businesses, by advocating for increased representation and economic inclusion. This grant program is part of a broader multi-year commitment to support historically excluded entrepreneurs, especially women founders and founders from Black and BIPOC communities operating within the consumer packaged goods sector. The primary purpose of the Dream Makers Founder Grant is to provide financial support to underrepresented entrepreneurs who have demonstrated traction and growth potential but continue to face barriers to scaling their businesses. The grant fund totals 1000000 dollars and is distributed over multiple years, with 125000 dollars awarded annually. Each year, five selected businesses receive 25000 dollars each. The funding is designed to help businesses expand operations, reach new markets, and strengthen their long-term sustainability within competitive consumer industries. Grant funds are restricted to specific allowable uses, including marketing, manufacturing, and research and development. These restrictions ensure that recipients apply the funding directly toward activities that drive measurable business growth and product development. The program explicitly excludes the use of funds for unrelated operational expenses, debt repayment, or other unspecified uses. There is no stated cost-sharing or matching requirement, indicating that recipients are not required to contribute additional funds to receive the award. Eligibility for the Dream Makers Founder Grant is narrowly defined and includes several operational and ownership criteria. Applicants must be members of the Fifteen Percent Pledge Business Equity Community and operate a U.S.-based business that sells a physical consumer packaged good. Eligible businesses must have annual revenues between 100000 and 1000000 dollars, employ between one and ten individuals, and have been generating revenue for at least two full years. Additionally, businesses must be at least 51 percent women-owned and cannot operate within the beauty category, including skincare, makeup, hair care, or related wellness products. These requirements reflect the program’s focus on supporting established but still emerging businesses with demonstrated viability. The application process requires applicants to first create or update their business profile within the Business Equity Community platform, which serves as the entry point for accessing the application questions. The application window opens on April 28 and closes on May 30. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers. Following submission, applications are reviewed based on alignment with eligibility criteria and the overall strength and potential of the business. Winners are announced in early August, indicating a review and selection period of approximately two months. The program operates on an annual cycle, with recurring funding opportunities expected each year as part of the multi-year commitment. While specific evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed, the emphasis on revenue thresholds, operational maturity, and product-based business models suggests that applicants are assessed on scalability, market readiness, and alignment with the grant’s mission. Applicants with questions or technical issues can contact the program administrators via the provided email address. Overall, the Dream Makers Founder Grant represents a targeted effort to close funding gaps and elevate underrepresented founders within the consumer goods ecosystem.