Grant
North America
OPEN
GRANT · HOW TO WIN THIS
$100,000 total pool distributed across ~30 recipients; individual awards have ranged from $1,500 to $10,000.
Runs annually; the last known Texas cycle closed October 2021. Check ff-cdc.org for the next round.
FUNDING TYPE
Grant
CAN YOU GET THIS?
You must be a for-profit Texas business with $100K–$3M in revenue and a founder from an underrepresented group.
Eligible founders include those who are Black, Indigenous, a person of color, LGBTQIA+, a military veteran, a woman, or located in a low-to-moderate income area. The business must be for-profit and plan to create 1–2 net new premium wage jobs within 12 months.
YOUR REAL ODDS
In the 2021 Texas cycle, 31 recipients were selected from more than 600 applicants — roughly a 5% acceptance rate.
Individual awards in that cycle ranged from $1,500 to $10,000, not a single $100,000 check — the $100,000 figure represents the total pool distributed across all Texas winners.
WHAT IT TAKES
Confirm eligibility — verify your revenue is between $100K and $3M and your founder identity qualifies — 1–2 hours
Prepare your application — business details, revenue documentation, and a plan to add 1–2 premium wage jobs — 3–5 hours
Submit through Founders First CDC's grant portal when the next cycle opens — 30 minutes
WORTH KNOWING
Winners also receive full tuition scholarships to a Founders First CDC Business Accelerator Program, so the value extends beyond the cash grant. Demonstrating a concrete, specific job-creation plan appears central to selection.