Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant

The Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant is a national funding opportunity designed to support and empower mothers who are also small business owners in the United States. Administered by Founders First CDC, this grant program was created in honor of Mother’s Day and the late Catherine “Kitty” Abrams Tadlock Webster, mother of Founders First CEO Kim Folsom. The grant is part of Founders First’s broader mission to uplift underrepresented entrepreneurs and promote economic mobility through funding and business education. The program pairs financial support with access to a business accelerator, providing recipients with a powerful combination of capital and capacity-building resources to help scale their ventures. The Kitty Fund provides a total of $20,000 in micro-grant funding each cycle. Specifically, 20 mother-owned businesses are selected to receive a $1,000 cash grant each. This flexible funding can be applied to a variety of business needs including purchasing equipment, enhancing operations, hiring staff, or fueling growth initiatives. In addition to financial assistance, each recipient is enrolled in one of Founders First’s signature business development programs—either the Passport Community or the Zebra Leadership program—at no cost. These programs are valued at $1,499 and $1,699 respectively and are designed to accelerate the growth and leadership capacity of entrepreneurs. Eligibility for the Kitty Fund grant is limited to individuals who identify as mothers and who serve as the CEO, President, or owner of an active, U.S.-based business. Applicants must demonstrate that their business has been operational for at least one year, has a workforce ranging from 2 to 100 employees, and generates no more than $5 million in annual revenue. This eligibility scope ensures that the grant targets small, employer-based businesses that are in a position to benefit from both funding and structured growth support. The application process involves a pre-registration phase followed by the opening of the full application in March 2026. Specifically, the application portal is scheduled to launch on March 10, 2026. Applicants will be assessed based on their qualifications and alignment with program goals, with 20 finalists announced at a virtual press event. Semi-finalists will be reviewed prior to finalist selection. While no formal pre-application steps such as Letters of Intent are required, businesses are encouraged to pre-register in order to receive updates and early notifications. Finalists not only receive the $1,000 micro-grant but also join either the Passport Community or Zebra Leadership accelerator programs. The Passport Community offers weekly expert-led sessions on critical business topics including marketing, finance, sales, and operations. The Zebra Leadership program, meanwhile, consists of six intensive sessions focused on developing leadership acumen and strategic growth skills. Both programs are designed to help founders scale confidently and sustainably. For inquiries regarding the grant, applicants can contact Founders First CDC via email at [email protected]. The Kitty Fund is structured as an annual opportunity, with recurring cycles expected each year around Mother’s Day. As such, the next anticipated cycle would launch in March 2027. Interested parties are encouraged to monitor Founders First communications and subscribe to their newsletter for updates on future funding rounds.