The entrepreneurs we serve at Hannah Grimes come to us for all kinds of support. Whether they need a lawyer to review their new service contract or someone to practice their elevator pitch with, we have programs and coaches for all of it. But the number one thing that new clients ask about is funding. While there are many different types of capital, today we are going to focus on grant money for small businesses.

If you’ve ever worked in fundraising, you know that most grantors want to support a specific project or program, so it can be incredibly difficult to find funding sources that allow us to pass grant money directly on to small businesses. The Community Development Finance Authority is the exception. Through their Community Development Block Grant program funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, we are able to offer $100,000 in direct equipment grants to qualifying entrepreneurs each year. 

We recently collected impact stories from some of those entrepreneurs and are proud to share them below.

Em Dewey, Garden of the Moon

The Challenge: My old laptop was really struggling and made my (largely ecommerce-based) work really difficult and slow. I also struggled with not having a number of tools that would support the actual production of my products.

The Solution: I was able to purchase a large number of smaller items that were mainly aimed at helping me with tech needs (computer, phone accessories for social media content, etc.) as well as product production tools (office organization, herbal product tools like bowls and presses). All of these helped to streamline my business efforts!

Gordon Turrisi, Skip Band 

The Challenge: My music production/recording gear was not professional enough, so I could not release high-quality recordings in my music studio to help me book more gigs, improve social media and produce my own music. I did not have a professional PA for larger venues and my sound quality needed improvement with better music gear for live performances with a higher quality loop station. 

The Solution: I used the grant funds for a higher quality PA system, a higher sound quality loop station for live performances, warm audio recording microphones to get high quality sound in my recording studio and for my social media recordings, a microphone pop filter, a beat sequencer for making electronic drums for studio recording and electronic dance music for recordings and live performances and studio monitors. I have now booked over 450 paid live music performances since 2022 and my music career is going better than ever.

Jack Rixey, Dog Days Farm

The Challenge: Being profitable at a small scale. Prior to the grant we were limited by the space available in our barn for mushroom production. At that scale the returns were just covering the cost of production. We incorporated mushrooms to add value to our CSA which is the main part of our business, but could not produce enough to bring them to markets and increase profitability. 

The Solution: We used grant funds to purchase and insulate an 8′ x 20′ storage container for mushroom production through the spring, summer, and fall. In this space we are able to have multiple rounds of mushrooms growing at once for consistent supply and a climate controlled space to extend our growing season. This grant closed the gap between income from mushrooms and capital needed to increase production.

Megan Lafaso Hercher, Sullivan Country Store

The Challenge: Before receiving the grant, we struggled to keep our parking area and walkways clear during snowstorms. Without the right equipment, we were relying on costly and unreliable plow services.

The Solution: We used the grant funds to purchase a small tractor with a snow plow attachment. This investment has made a huge difference—now we can clear snow ourselves quickly and reliably, which has helped us stay open during storms, improve safety for customers, and reduce our dependency on outside plow services. It’s made our operations more efficient and our business more resilient through the winter months.

Carrie Dragoni, Care 2 Discover

The Challenge: The technology I was using for my online classes was a bit outdated. I struggled with problems caused by the slow processing speed of my computer, the low-definition camera, and the web of cords connecting all my accessories to my laptop. I had to improvise by finding hands-on materials for my in-person classes and had even borrowed some items from friends who were also teachers. Finally, my home office didn’t have the formality which normal business offices have.

The Solution: I used the funds to upgrade all of my essential technology like a laptop, printer, camera, headphones, and Bluetooth accessories, as well as protective cases and storage equipment, which I previously lacked. I also invested in a variety of teaching materials tailored to different learning styles and age groups, focusing on vocabulary development. These purchases improved the quality of my online lessons and allowed me to more effectively teach students who benefit from hands-on, sensory-rich learning. In addition, my home office transitioned into a business office with complimentary water and tea, coat hooks, a desk lamp, calendar, business card holders, and more.