Building Resiliency
Mountain BizWorks is excited to announce a new round of Catalyst Micro-Grant funding designed to support entrepreneurs and small business owners as they continue building, strengthening, and growing their businesses.
Through this round, Mountain BizWorks will provide $1,000 micro-grants to early-stage businesses owned by entrepreneurs facing economic barriers across Western North Carolina.
These grants are designed for businesses that have identified a clear opportunity to take the next step, whether that means reaching new customers, improving operations, investing in necessary tools or equipment, or building systems that create long-term sustainability.
Tell us what your next step looks like and how this funding will help you reach measurable milestones.
Apply NowEligibility
To be eligible, applicants must meet requirements in two areas.
Early-Stage Business (must meet at least one of the following):
- Business has been generating revenue for less than 5 years
- Annual gross revenue is under $150,000
Economic Need (must also meet at least one of the following):
- Owner household income is below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI)*
*AMI (Area Median Income) is the median household income in a specific geographic region. It is used to determine eligibility for housing programs and other financial assistance. Income limits are typically expressed as a percentage of the AMI (for example, 30%, 50%, 80%, or 120% of the AMI).
Example: A household with an income equal to 80% of the AMI earns approximately 80% of the median household income in its area. Many housing programs use this percentage to determine whether a family qualifies for assistance. - Owner household net worth is under $100,000 (excluding primary residence)
- Business is located in a census tract with a poverty rate of 20% or higher
Additional caps apply in all cases: owner household income must be below 2x AMI and household net worth must be under $250,000.
Your business must be an independently owned, for-profit entity located and operating in Western North Carolina. Nonprofit organizations are not eligible.
Applicants may apply for one business only and must be 18 years of age or older. For business owners with multiple businesses, please complete this application for a single business. Each grant is limited to one individual/business.
Non-profit organizations are ineligible for this particular funding program.
Awards will be made to qualified businesses, and eligibility is based on accurate and complete submission.
Use of Proceeds
Grant funds may only be used for qualified business expenses. Examples of eligible expenses include:
- Marketing and advertising
- Business equipment or supplies
- Technology and software
- Business systems and operational improvements
- Professional services or coaching support
The grantee must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and requirements related to the use of grant funds.
Important Dates
Application Opens: Monday, July 20, 2026
Application Closes: Monday, August 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Applications submitted after the deadline or that are incomplete will not be considered. Selected applicants will be contacted directly regarding next steps.
Review Process
The Selection Committee and will review applications submitted. Grants will be awarded at the sole discretion of the Selection Committee based on the responses provided in the application and any other factors the Selection Committee deems to be relevant. The Selection Committee may, but is not required to, provide a reason for the denial of an application or for the determination of the amount of the grant award.
Submitting an application is not a guarantee of a grant award and Mountain BizWorks may terminate the program at any time, for any reason, or when available funds are depleted. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Reporting
Agree to report at 12 months: The applicant will be required to provide a brief report that describes the financial conditions of the business, how the grant was used and the number of people impacted 12 months following the receipt of funds.
Agree to Award Announcement: Applicant understands and agrees that all grantee business names and grant amounts will be publicly announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the size of the awards?
Grants start at $1,000, with additional funding possible for applicants with especially compelling needs or plans.
What are considered qualified business expenses?
Qualified business expenses relate to those items that you can deduct from your income tax to lower your tax burden. Please refer to the IRS website for more information.
Can I change my application after it’s been submitted?
No, you can not change a submitted application. However, you may resubmit a new application and we will consider the latest application submitted. (Note: you can only submit the application via the online form.)
Do grant applicants receive a confirmation that they submitted their application?
Every applicant receives a confirmation screen that follows if all fields are filled out correctly and after hitting “Submit.” Applicants will also receive a copy of their submitted answers, emailed to the address provided in their application.
If I applied in a previous round, do I have to apply again or will my application roll-over?
Yes. Applications do not roll over to later rounds. You must submit a new application for each round of grants in order to be considered for funding that round. Each round has unique aspects and may have distinct funder requirements.
When will the online application portal close for submission?
Applications will close August 31.
How will I be contacted or know if I will receive a grant?
Mountain BizWorks will primarily utilize email to communicate with all applicants. Be sure to check email regularly, including spam folders. Email updates to all applicants and finalists will come from Tiarra Wilkie (tiarra@mountainbizworks.org).
Finalists will be notified by email and must respond promptly. The return of any grantee notification message or document as undeliverable may result in disqualification of the applicable grantee, the forfeiture of their interest in the grant and the selection of a substitute from among all remaining eligible finalists.
Does anything need to be repaid?
No, these grants do not need to be repaid. However, all taxes associated with the acceptance and/or uses of cash awarded are the sole responsibility of the individual grantee. Cash awarded will be reported by Mountain BizWorks to the IRS as Mountain BizWorks deems necessary according to applicable law. It is further the policy of Mountain BizWorks that all grantees be advised to consult with their own tax professionals and/or legal counsel to ascertain the tax impact of the cash awards.
Have additional questions?
Email Tiarra Wilkie, Mountain BizWorks’ Catalyst Program Manager, at tiarra@mountainbizworks.org with any questions.
