6 Types of Funding Opportunities Every Creator and Small Business Should Know About
Your path to becoming grant-funded starts here.
What if your next big idea didn’t depend on your bank account?
Whether you’re launching a new project, scaling your creator business, or just trying to carve out more time to create, there are external funding options available to support your work.
From creator funds and fellowships to accelerators and residencies, there’s a lot of financial support out there, and many of these opportunities come with cool perks like mentorship, visibility, and networking.
Before we dive in, this issue is brought to you with the support of someone walking the walk when it comes to building sustainable creator income.
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Today, I’m breaking down six different types of funding opportunities you should have on your radar, no matter your creative discipline or business model.
Here’s what all of them have in common:
Requires an application
Often has deadlines
No repayment required
Strict eligibility requirements
May come with strings attached, like reporting requirements or spending restrictions
Competitive and selective
Here at Grants For Creators, we use the word “grants” a lot, so let’s start there.
1. Grants
We can’t talk about non-dilutive (not giving up equity or ownership) funding without talking about grants—money awarded to individuals and organizations you don’t have to pay back.
Some grants are project-based, meaning you use the funds to fulfill a specific purpose. Others support general operating expenses, and some fund brilliant ideas.
If you’re curious but unsure where to begin, start here.
This beginner-friendly training breaks down what you need to know about grants, including how they work and if they’re worth pursuing right now.
“I recently started thinking about grants for our podcast. This training was a great overview and introduction.” — Sabrina
2. Creator Funds
Creator funds are platform-based monetization programs that pay content creators for producing engaging content on social media like TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, and LinkedIn.
Unlike grants, payouts are often tied to views, engagement, or participation in specific challenges.
💡Helpful Tip: Strike while the iron is hot because these always have an expiration date.
3. Fellowships
Fellowships provide funding, mentorship, and professional development to help you grow your craft or launch a project. It’s usually structured in a cohort-based format where a group of other fellows joins you.
They typically run for a specific time, such as three months to one year.
These programs (virtual, in-person, or hybrid) often include access to industry experts, workshops, and peer support.
Often, you’ll see fellowships for (but not limited to) social impact leaders, journalists, writers, authors, and poets.
4. Accelerator Programs
Accelerators are intensive, fast-paced programs designed to rapidly grow your business, project, or idea through mentorship, workshops, and pitching opportunities.
Ranging from three to six months, they typically conclude with a demo day, where participants present to potential funders or investors.
💡Helpful Tip: We’re seeing a lot of accelerator programs focused on AI right now.
5. Pitch Competitions
Pitch competitions allow you to present your idea or business to a panel of judges for a chance to win funding. These events are typically live, high-energy, and often come with cash prizes.
6. Residencies
Residencies offer creatives time, space, and often a stipend to focus deeply on their creative work, often in inspiring or remote settings around the world — think lakeside cabins or picturesque mountain towns. Other times, you’re invited to a studio, retreat center, or institutions, like museums, art galleries, or colleges.
They’re ideal for writers, artists, and makers who need uninterrupted creative time.
How to Know Which Is Right for You
➡️ If you want mentorship and structure → explore fellowships or accelerators
➡️ If you need quiet time to create → consider residencies
➡️ If you want cash money → look into grants
➡️ If you want to get in front of decision-makers → pitch competitions are ideal
Overall, these are all investments in your creative work and vision, and they help you reach your full potential.
No matter what kind of creative work you do, there’s funding out there with your name on it.
You’ve got big ideas; now let’s get them funded.
At Grants For Creators, we help creatives across the U.S. find grant funding. Become a paid subscriber and access 100+ highly curated grants every month for podcasters, writers, filmmakers, artists, and more. We have helped our community secure over $150,000 in grant funding to date, and we look forward to helping you achieve the same success.
Cheering you on, always!
Danielle Desir Corbett + Grants For Creators team