Let’s get one thing straight: if you aren’t applying for at least one grant a night, you are leaving money on the table. Period. Now let’s go through how to write a grant for your business.
People treat grant writing like it’s some arduous, soul-sucking dissertation. They think they need a PhD and a three-ring binder full of data just to say “hello.”
Wrong.
Most of the grants I’ve won didn’t ask for a novel; they asked for a few tight, punchy paragraphs. I’m a digital artist, not a professional bureaucrat, yet I’ve secured three public grants—two from the August Wilson House (my art is literally hanging there, check the receipts) and another through the Pittsburgh Arts Council (Hawsé Sumi).There are quite a few more, but this is not about me. This is about you securing the “G $ bag” for your business.
If you want to be Unfuckabéllé in your lifestyle and your wealth, you need to stop being intimidated by the paperwork and start being professional about your presence.
The “Paperwork” is Actually a Power Move
Before you even look at a grant application, your business needs to look like a business. If you’re out here applying with a Gmail address and no digital footprint, you aren’t in the running. You’re a hobbyist. To get the bag, you need the “Big Business” starter pack:
• The Name: Pick a name that fits within a solid NAICS code (North American Industry Classification System). It helps if it’s unique—maybe a Latin root—but don’t make it so obscure that a funding institution can’t categorize you.
• The Structure: Get your LLC or Corporation. I went through Kentucky because I needed it yesterday, and Pennsylvania was backed up by months. Don’t be afraid to look at Delaware or Wyoming if you need speed.
• The Essentials: Get a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet. Open a business bank account (I use Chase, but find one with the best rates for you). Get a professional business address and a dedicated phone number.
• Digital Real Estate: Buy your domain (GoDaddy is easy) and set up a professional email. Then, go to Gamma and whip up a one-page site. It’s fast, gorgeous, and makes you look like a million bucks.
Using AI Like a Boss (Not a Cheat)
Here’s a secret: When you see a question that feels heavy, feed it to the AI of your choice. Tell it: “Act as a master grant writer. Based on my business goals, give me an outline for a response to this prompt.” Once it gives you the bones, you put the meat on them. Write from the heart. Use your voice. Then, run it through Grammarly to polish the edges.
Pro Tip: Most people don’t realize that many grants are won or lost in the “Impact” section. Don’t just talk about what the money does for you; talk about how it creates a “multiplier effect” in your community or industry. Funding sources want to see their money work.
The Secret Sauce: The “Shadow” Search
Everyone goes to the same three grant websites. If you want the “sleepy” grants, look for Community Foundations and Family Trusts. These organizations often have specific, local mandates and are desperate for qualified applicants.
Also, get your business listed on Google Maps, Yelp, and Bing. When a grant committee Googles you—and they will—you want to show up as a verified, local fixture. It builds trust instantly.
I have a list of over 100 evergreen grants—some have deadlines, some don’t. You can wing it and search yourself, or you can grab my list and get to work. Either way, stop overthinking it. Set a timer for 30 minutes tonight, find one grant, and just hit “Submit.”
