NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant
NAACP / Black Entrepreneurs Day
$25,000
Researched for this program: 4 rejection traps · 4 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
$25K grants for Black entrepreneurs + Daymond John mentorship
The NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant awards $25,000 grants to Black entrepreneurs and small business owners. The program is tied to Black Entrepreneurs Day and has included mentorship from Shark Tank's Daymond John for recipients. In 2023, $500,000 was awarded to nine Black-owned businesses. Open to all rising and established Black entrepreneurs, no industry restriction. Grant is not currently open — applications reopen annually around Black Entrepreneurs Day events.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Private
- Amount
- $25,000
- Realistic amount
- $25,000 flat amount for all selected recipients.
- Deadline
- Annual — tied to Black Entrepreneurs Day (typically October). 2026 cycle not yet announced. Monitor naacp.org/grants for application launch.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- lump sum
Who qualifies
- Applicant must identify as a Black entrepreneur
- Open to both rising entrepreneurs (early-stage) and established business owners
- No industry restrictions
- Business must be for-profit
- Business or applicant must be US-based
Hard requirements
- Demographic eligibility: black-owned
Is the NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant legit?
Yes. The NAACP ran it with partners for Black Entrepreneurs Day and named its recipients. Its page now says the grant is not open.
- Who runs it: The NAACP, with partners, for Black Entrepreneurs Day
- What winners get: $25,000 plus resources
- Status: The NAACP's page says it is not currently open
Sources: naacp.org. Last checked at the funder on October 18, 2026.
Past NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant winners
Recipients the NAACP names (2023):
- Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats · 2023 recipients
- Kinfolx · 2023 recipients
- Hustle & Hope · 2023 recipients
- Green Book Global · 2023 recipients
- The Heat Factory LLC DBA Fahrenheit 313 Detroit · 2023 recipients
- Black People Will Swim · 2023 recipients
Names as published by the NAACP (source). GrantCompass is not affiliated with the NAACP.
New grants like this every week: see this week's list or get it by email on Mondays.
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Working capital and operating expenses
- Equipment and business assets
- Marketing and advertising
- Hiring and payroll
- Technology and software
- Inventory
- Business development and training
Ineligible expenses
- Personal expenses
- Debt repayment unrelated to business operations
- Non-Black-owned businesses
How to apply
-
1
Monitor NAACP grants page for annual launch announcement
Check naacp.org/find-resources/grants/powershift-entrepreneur-grant regularly starting in August-September for the annual launch announcement. Program is tied to Black Entrepreneurs Day (typically October). Sign up for NAACP email updates to receive notifications.
-
2
Apply online when the intake window opens
Complete the online application when announced, including: business description and stage, Black entrepreneur ownership documentation, how grant funds will be used, business revenue and impact metrics.
-
3
Selection and award at Black Entrepreneurs Day
NAACP reviews applications and selects recipients. Winners are typically announced publicly at the Black Entrepreneurs Day event and receive $25,000 grants plus mentorship from Shark Tank's Daymond John.
Program is tied to Black Entrepreneurs Day events — the live announcement adds visibility beyond the grant itself. Only 9 winners in 2023 from a national pool. Daymond John mentorship is genuine — winners appear on Black Entrepreneurs Day broadcast.
Deadline & timing
Program is not currently open as of May 2026. Applications typically open in conjunction with Black Entrepreneurs Day programming (historically October). Monitor naacp.org/find-resources/grants/powershift-entrepreneur-grant and NAACP social channels for the 2026 announcement. Email sign-ups available on the NAACP grants page.
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Open more widely
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Last updated October 22, 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.