Enthuse Foundation Grant

The Enthuse Foundation offers a private grant program that supports women entrepreneurs in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector. Rooted in a mission to "pay it forward," the Foundation emphasizes business sustainability and personal well-being by offering financial grants tailored to a range of entrepreneurial needs. The Foundation is co-led by Kristy Snyder, who describes the program as instrumental in helping the next wave of women business leaders build a strong foundation for their ventures. The Foundation's holistic approach covers both professional growth and personal support for entrepreneurs. The grant program supports established CPG businesses led full-time by women entrepreneurs who are U.S. citizens. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, articulate a clear plan for how they will use the funds, and provide strong written responses and interviews. First-time applicants are preferred, as those who have previously received grants or Pitch Competition awards from the Enthuse Foundation are not eligible. If selected, recipients must also complete required vendor documentation. Eight specific grant categories are available, each with distinct funding allocations. These include Operating ($10,000), Business Insurance ($2,500), Business Tools ($2,500), Digital Marketing ($4,500), Healthcare ($2,500), Retirement ($2,500), Veteran & Military Spouses ($10,000), and Professional Services ($2,500). The categories address a range of needs, from marketing and insurance to health and retirement savings, emphasizing comprehensive business and personal support. Applications for the grant program open in March 2026 and close in April 2026. Selected recipients will be notified and receive funding by June 2026. The application process includes written components and an interview. While the Foundation does not list a specific application portal or submission steps, applicants are expected to be thorough in explaining their business needs and plans for using the grant funds. Evaluation criteria include demonstrated financial need, strength of the applicant’s responses, and the clarity of their funding utilization plan. There is no mention of a matching funds requirement. The program does not provide detailed performance period durations, but it does note that the grants are awarded annually, suggesting the opportunity recurs each year. In 2025, eight women entrepreneurs received grants totaling $37,000. Recipients included a variety of businesses across categories such as digital marketing, business tools, and veteran entrepreneurship, demonstrating the program’s commitment to diverse needs and backgrounds. The Enthuse Foundation encourages women founders to apply and share their stories, building a supportive network of women entrepreneurs across the country.

A clear plan for the use of funds and demonstrating financial need are key criteria.