Business Resource Library | DreamSpring

December 2025 - January 2026 Business Resource Round-Up

Written by DreamSpring | November 27, 2025

Each month, we gather the best in small business resources and grant opportunities that support entrepreneurs.

 

 

 

 

QUICK LINKS

 

 

NATIONAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

 

 

Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant

Agricultural producers and nonprofits can apply for competitive grants ranging from $100,000–$500,000 to expand or launch farm to Child Nutrition Program (CNP) initiatives that connect students with local foods through education, taste tests, school gardens, field trips, and local sourcing for meals. 

Apply by Dec. 5.

 

FEATURED GRANT

 

 

 

Verizon Small Business Digital-Ready Grant

Small businesses can become digital-ready with access to free courses, mentorship, peer networking, 1:1 expert coaching, and a grant of $10,000. 

Apply by Dec. 10.

 

 

 

Avoiding Predatory Lending in a Shrinking Market

Join Small Business Majority and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition on Dec. 10 at 3:30 p.m. ET for a free virtual session on how to spot predatory loans and safely shop for capital in today’s fast-changing small business financing landscape.

Register for the free Dec. 10 webinar.

 

 

Financial Wellness Webinar

Join Bank of America for a webinar on Dec. 17 from 10 – 11 a.m. MST to learn the fundamentals of banking, budgeting, and spending; how to build an emergency fund; and how to respond to fraud or identity theft.

Register for the free Dec. 17 webinar.

 

 

Hey Helen Grant 

The Hey Helen Grant gives $10,000 in financial support to businesses that are 100% women-owned, generate less than $1M in annual revenue, and are legally registered in the United States. Nonbinary applicants assigned female at birth or who feel aligned with the intent of the grant are also welcome to apply.

Apply by Dec. 30.

 

 

DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund 

The DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund, presented by DoorDash in partnership with Hello Alice, gives grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to invest in rent, utilities, maintenance, supplies, payroll, and other essential expenses that strengthen business operations and fuel recovery.

Apply by Jan. 5.

 

 

The Breakthrough Grant

Her Agenda is awarding $5,000 to one ambitious woman entrepreneur ready to break through barriers and take her business to the next level.

Apply by Jan. 18.

 

 

Amber Grant 

Amber Grants support women-owned business with at least $30,000 each month in grants, including three $10,000 monthly grants and additional $50,000 year-end awards. Eligible applicants can submit one application to be considered for all relevant grants. Winners are announced by the 23rd of each month.

Apply anytime.

 

 

 

Start.Pivot.Grow Grant 

Grants of $2,500 can be used for utilities, rent, inventory, marketing, software, professional development, and bookkeeping services. Eligible businesses must have one to two employees and annual revenue of $50,000 or more, and be in operation for at least two years. Winners also receive the Digital Business Growth Planner and the Prep My Loan Planner.  

Apply anytime.

 

 

Article: “The Challenges and Opportunities Facing Small Businesses Right Now”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce explores the top challenges and opportunities shaping small businesses in 2025, from inflation and hiring to AI, upskilling, and shifting consumer trends. 

Read the article.

 

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EASTERN U.S. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

 

 

Pennsylvania: Business Goal Setting for 2026 

Join the Pennsylvania SBDC on Dec. 4 from 6 – 7 p.m. ET to learn how to assess your business's current performance, gain strategies for achieving growth, improve operations, and access resources and support to help you boost profitability in 2026.

Register for the free Dec. 4 webinar.

 

Florida: Supercharging Emergency Management Across Miami-Dade Investment

This Miami-Dade Innovation Authority (MDIA) supports early- to growth-stage startup companies with innovative solutions that can enhance their emergency management operations. Apply to submit your solution for an opportunity to receive a $100,000 equity investment and to test and validate your solution at the Department of Emergency Management. 

Apply by Dec. 18.

 

 

Georgia: Small Business Improvement Grant

Small business tenants and commercial property owners are eligible for grants up to $50,000 that can be used for both internal and external improvement in seven of Atlanta’s Tax Allocation Districts (TADs): Campbellton Road, Hollowell-ML King, Metropolitan Parkway, Perry Bolton, Eastside, Westside, and Stadium.

Apply anytime.

 

 

Ohio: JobsOhio Small Business Grant

The JobsOhio Small Business Grant offers up to $50,000 in financial assistance to eligible small businesses in Ohio looking to grow their operations. 

Apply anytime.

 

 

CENTRAL U.S. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

 

 

Texas: Canva for Small Business

Join the Lee College SBDC (909 Decker Drive, Baytown) on Dec. 11 from 10 – 11 a.m. for this hands-on workshop where you’ll learn the basics of using Canva to create business materials.

Register for the free Dec. 11 workshop.

 

 

Kansas: Farmers & Flyers Marketing Webinar Series 

Join this free marketing webinar on Dec. 11 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. CT, part of the Midwest Growers Collaborative series for farmers, ranchers, and growers. Learn to build your brand, promote products and events, and connect with customers.

Register for the free Dec. 11 webinar.

 

 

Nebraska: VC Office Hours 

Founders, investors, and anyone interested in entrepreneurship can join the Nebraska Startup Academy and MOVE Venture Capital team at Millwork Commons (1229 Millwork, Omaha) from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. to network, co-work, and answer founder /investor questions following 1 Million Cups Omaha. 

Register for the free Dec. 17 event.

 

 

Missouri: G.I.F.T. Grant

Grants of $10,000 are designed to support and accelerate Black-owned businesses in Kansas City. $25 application fee.

Apply by Jan. 6.

 

 

 

Missouri: Social Venture  Meetup with Shaniqua Jones-Williams

Shaniqua Jones-Williams, Founder & CEO of SendBack, shares how she leads innovative solutions that cut costs, reduce waste, and create a greener, more customer-friendly experience. Held at Keystone CoLAB (800 E 18th St, Kansas City) from 6 – 8 p.m. 

Register for the free Jan. 27 event.

 

 

WESTERN U.S. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

 

 

California: OCHCC Main Street Digital Training & Grant Program

The Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce offers a four-week training and $2,000 grant to help small businesses increase their social media presence and revenue. Eligible businesses must be in Irvine, have two to 25 employees, and hold an active business license since early 2019. 

Apply by Dec. 1. 

 

 

New Mexico: Packaging and Pricing Your Services

Join SCORE to learn how to price your services, define your ideal client, and package your offerings for value and growth on Dec. 2 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Santa Fe Business Incubator (3900 Paseo del Sol, Santa Fe). 

Register for the free Dec. 2 workshop. 

 

 

New Mexico: InvestHER Power Circle

Connect with women investors, founders, innovators, and executives shaping New Mexico’s entrepreneurial ecosystem at a facilitated networking event, held Dec. 4 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. at The Kitchen Table Santa Fe (313 Camino Alire, Santa Fe).

Register for the Dec. 4 event. 

 

 

New Mexico: Veterans Small Business Lending Expo

The NM Veterans Business Outreach Center, in partnership with the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, NewSpace Launchpad, and the SBA, is hosting a free lending expo connecting veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses, nonprofits with earned revenue, and community business supporters with banks, CDFIs, microlenders, and investors. Held on Dec. 9 from 1 – 4 p.m. at NewSpace Launchpad (2420 Alamo Ave SE, Suite 104, Albuquerque).

Register for the free Dec. 9 event. 

 

 

New Mexico: Native American Business Roundtable 

Join this monthly gathering for Native American entrepreneurs and business owners to connect, share resources, and build pathways to success. Held 10 a.m. – noon at the Santa Fe Business Incubator (3900 Paseo del Sol, Santa Fe). 

Register for the Dec. 9 or Jan. 13 session.  

 

 

New Mexico: Economic Justice Workshop

Immigrant entrepreneurs can attend this free workshop to access essential business documents and receive guidance on licensing, tax IDs, and business development resources. Held on Dec. 9 from 4 – 7 p.m at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church (601 Montaño NW, Albuquerque). 

Register for the free Dec. 9 workshop. 

 

 

New Mexico: Maker’s Marketplace – Practical Strategies for Selling Your Work

Learn how to price your products, choose the right sales channels, and share your story in a way that connects with buyers. Held on Dec. 9 from 5–7 p.m. at the Santa Fe Business Incubator (3900 Paseo del Sol, Santa Fe). 

Register for the free Dec. 9 workshop. 

 

 

Colorado: Business Ownership – Build, Buy, or Franchise? 

Are you interested in entrepreneurship, but curious about which form of business ownership aligns best with your goals? In this Colorado SBDC webinar, held on Dec. 10 from 9 – 10 a.m. MT, learn about three options to enter business ownership: Building or starting a business from scratch, buying an existing business, and becoming a franchisee. 

Register for the free Dec. 10 webinar.  

 

FEATURED EVENT

 

 

 

DreamSpring Community Open House  

You're invited to a community open house in honor of DreamSpring Founder Anne Haines, held Dec. 12 from 3 – 6 p.m. at DreamSpring Headquarters (2000 Zearing NW, Albuquerque), marking her well-deserved retirement from DreamSpring. Enjoy tasty treats and warm community in celebration of a leader who has opened doors for thousands of entrepreneurs. 

RSVP for the free Dec. 12 event.

 

 

 

New Mexico: Office Hours for Entrepreneurial Leadership Coaching 

Attend a 30-minute session on Dec. 15 with leadership coach Scott Tafoya to discuss challenges, growth opportunities, and strategies to strengthen your leadership skills. Sessions can be attended in person at the Lobo Rainforest (101 Broadway NE, Albuquerque) or online from 1 – 4 p.m. MST on Dec. 15. 

Register to select your preferred time slot on Dec. 15. 

 

 

New Mexico: East Central Business Owners Speaker Series 

Join Albuquerque’s District 6 and 9 city councilors for a discussion on the free tools and resources offered by CABQ Economic Development to help your small business thrive. Held on Jan. 28 from noon to 1 p.m. at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center.

Register for the free Jan. 28 event. 

 

 

Nevada: Clark County District A Tenant Improvement Grant Program 

Are you a small business or commercial property owner in the unincorporated areas of Clark County Commission District A? This grant program offers up to $25,000 to help you improve your property and strengthen your business presence.

Apply anytime.