Frequently Asked Questions

You can apply for multiple grants. However an applicant can only receive one grant award from The Wild Seed in this Fall 2024 grant cycle.

The application is the same for all grants with the exception of one question. Applicants would complete one application and select all of the grants they are applying for in the application. Each grant selection in the application will prompt an additional required question that corresponds with the selected grant(s). All required questions must be completed to be considered for award.

You will only be awarded one grant in the Fall 2024 grant cycle.

Applications from Y1 (Fall 2024) awardees for capacity, catalyst, and/or capital grants will not be considered in Year 2 or Year 3. Fall 2024 (Y1) awardees can only re-apply for rapid response grants in subsequent cycles, but priority will be given to new awardees.

A. Grantees are required to use the grant funds as described in your application and attend mandatory grantee meetings (see application guidelines for key dates).

B. Grantees are also required to comply with any and all reporting requirements as requested by The Wild Seed. Reporting will include:

  • Intake form at beginning of grant period
  • Outtake form at the end of grant period
  • Grant expenditure report

C. The Wild Seed provides optional technical assistance of up to 100 hours in business coaching, grant writing, marketing, branding, and other core business services. This in-kind technical assistance is free of charge at no cost to grantees and is valued at over $10,000.

D. Grantees are strongly encouraged, but not required, to utilize the technical support provided.

 

A. There will be only one grant cycle in 2024 and two grant cycles per year in 2025 and 2026.

B. $1,000 Rapid Response grants will be awarded on a rolling basis beginning in January 2025

While start-ups are welcome to apply, we do require that all applicants have at least a business license and financial statements.

Yes you can apply if you do not have tax returns. In place of tax returns, you must submit a financial statement which can include a balance sheet or income statement for the most recent year.

Yes, however priority will be given to businesses. Please be clear to indicate in your explanation how your organization is an enterprise and not a service organization.

A primary business owner is the business principal, sole proprietor, or person who is primarily responsible for the overall management of the organization and reports directly to partners.

Click here JENI and JESI for maps and information on high needs, low services ZIP codes

There are three different types of grants applicants can apply for in this grant cycle:

  • Capacity Grant (up to $3,000)-  Gap capital for business clients with small-scale, immediate, one-time financial needs to support the sustainability of their business. These may include expenses such as rent, labor costs, and materials and supplies. Client grants will be provided at $3,000 maximum per grant to unduplicated client recipients of the Wild Seed Fund. Each grantee will receive one-on-one technical assistance.

  • Catalyst Grant (up to $10,000)- Mid-sized grants for personnel or other business-strengthening resources for businesses that aim to scale. These may include expenses such as staffing, marketing costs, product development, supply chain optimization, and operations. Client grants will be provided at $10,000 maximum per grant to unduplicated client recipients of the Wild Seed Fund. Each grantee will receive one-on-one technical assistance.

  • Capital Grant (up to $20,000)- Capital costs are one-time expenses that are used to expand business production or services. These include acquiring or updating equipment and business tools, intangible assets such as patents, or expansion costs such as facility rentals. Grant funds will not be allowed to be used to acquire or improve land or buildings. Client grants will be provided at $20,000 per grant to unduplicated client recipients of the Wild Seed Fund. Each grantee will receive one-on-one technical assistance.

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