business grants closing soon
The fiscal year is ending. This is the most critical time for small business funding. Corporations and foundations have tax obligations they must meet before December 31st. If they have grant money sitting in their accounts, they need to give it away now to write it off for the 2025 tax year.
This creates a “use it or lose it” dynamic. For you, the business owner, this means the acceptance rates for December grants can be higher than at any other time of year.
If you are searching for small business grants closing december 2025 or veteran business grants 2025, this list is your roadmap. We have identified opportunities that are active right now and have confirmed end-of-year deadlines.
1. The Faire Small Business Grant
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Faire is a wholesale marketplace that connects local retailers with makers. They have been aggressive in supporting the “Shop Local” movement.
Their grant program is designed for new retail businesses. The award is typically $5,000, but it often comes as “Faire Credit,” which allows you to stock your shelves for free. If you are opening a boutique, a gift shop, or an online store, this is better than cash because it directly fills your inventory. The application requires a short video about your store’s vision.
2. The “Warrior Rising” Veteran Grant
Deadline: Rolling (Year-End Push)
Warrior Rising is a non-profit dedicated to helping veteran “vetrepreneurs.” While they accept applications year-round, they often do a heavy push for funding distribution in November and December to support veterans during the holidays.
This is not just free money. It is a process. You apply, you get vetted, and then you get mentorship. If you complete their “business shower” program, you become eligible for grants to buy equipment or inventory. If you served, this is the first place you should look.
3. The StreetShares Foundation “Veteran Small Business Award”
Deadline: Watch for Mid-December
StreetShares has a long history of supporting military entrepreneurs. Their foundation focuses on businesses that have a social impact.
They love “mission-driven” brands. If your coffee company also supports mental health, or if your construction firm hires at-risk youth, you are their ideal candidate. The application is story-based. They want to know the why behind your business, not just the what.
4. The Therapist Impact Fund (BetterHelp)
Deadline: December 19, 2025
Mental health is the defining industry of the mid-2020s. BetterHelp has launched a massive fund to support those entering the field or starting private practices.
While primarily a scholarship, they have tracks for “practice building” for licensed therapists. If you are starting a counseling business or a wellness coaching practice, this funding is designed to help you cover the initial overhead of rent and software.
5. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
Deadline: Rolling (Year-End Cycle)
This program is a goldmine. Verizon gives out $10,000 grants, but you have to “earn” the right to apply. You must register on their portal and complete two short learning modules.
Here is the secret: Most people sign up but never finish the courses. By spending one hour watching videos on “SEO” or “Financial Planning” on their site, you unlock the application. The pool of eligible applicants is much smaller than the general public, increasing your odds significantly.
6. The “Purple Dream” Scholarship & Grant
Deadline: December 21, 2025
Targeted specifically at single mothers, this fund supports women who are pursuing education or launching a business to support their families.
It is a smaller grant, usually around $1,000 to $2,000, but the competition is niche. The application is deeply personal. It asks about your hurdles and your motivation. If you are balancing a startup and a child on your own, this organization wants to help you.
7. The Freelancers Union “Relief” Funds
Deadline: Variable (Check December status)
The Freelancers Union often opens micro-grant pools at the end of the year to help independent contractors who have faced non-payment from clients.
If you are a freelancer who has been “stiffed” by a client in 2025, check their relief fund status. It is designed to bridge the gap and keep you solvent during the holidays.
How to Win a “Budget Flush” Grant
The strategy for December is different from January.
Be “Ready to Spend”
Grant committees want to know the money will be used immediately. In your application, list exactly what you will buy in January 2026. “I will buy three new sewing machines” is better than “I will invest in growth.”
Check the “Eligibility” Box First
Don’t waste time applying for a Veteran grant if you aren’t a veteran. Don’t apply for a “Brick and Mortar” grant if you are online only. Read the fine print.
Video Matters
If the application allows for a video, make one. It does not need to be professional. Hold your phone. Walk around your shop. Introduce yourself. Humans give money to humans, not to text boxes.
The year is not over. There is still capital to be deployed. Take one evening this week, draft your core story, and submit it to these seven programs. https://job.gterahub.com/grants-closing-2025/