Wilkes Entrepreneur Grant Program
Funding Amount
Up to $5,000 per grant; total varies by cycle
Deadline
October 31, 2026
37 days left
Grant Type
foundation
Overview
Wilkes Entrepreneur Grant Program
Status: Active, offered twice yearly (Spring and Fall cycles)
Geographic Scope: Wilkes County, North Carolina
Focus Areas: Support small business growth and development across various industries including retail, outdoor recreation, entertainment, health & wellness, arts and culture, tourism and hospitality, literary arts, and agritourism.
Eligibility:
What They Fund:
Program Details:
Contact:
How to Apply
Application Process
1. Application Requirements:
- Video pitch presentation
- Comprehensive business plan
- Financial summary
2. Selection Criteria:
- Potential impact of funding for the business
- Sustainability of proposed plans
- Demonstrated commitment to business growth
3. Review Process:
- Applications reviewed by panel of judges including local business owners, community development professionals, and small business experts
- Judges assess long-term business viability and growth potential
4. Submission Requirements:
- For pitch night events (like WEN Pitch Night): completion of two Small Business Center seminars, two hours of one-on-one counseling, and comprehensive pitch deck development
5. Support Available:
- One-on-one counseling from Wilkes Community College Small Business Center
- Business plan development assistance
- Financial summary guidance
What Wilkes Economic Development actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2024
- Grants in 2024
- 1
- Total given
- $6,000
- Median grant
- $6,000
- By dollars: North Carolina 100%. Top recipient cities: Wilkesboro, NC.
Example grants
Grant-Twoboros Performance Shop · Wilkesboro, NC
Entrepreneur grant
$6,000
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
Categories
Browse similar grants by category
Related Grants
Open grants from this funder and similar programs
Wilkes Entrepreneur Network (WEN) Pitch Night
Wilkes Economic Development
Amount
$1,000 per award (three awards: $3,000 total)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Downtown Boro's Small Business Grant Program
Wilkes Economic Development
Amount
Up to $5,000 per grant
Deadline
Rolling / Open
NC Selectsite Readiness Program
Wilkes Economic Development
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Telluride Venture Accelerator (TVA)
Telluride Foundation
Amount
$30,000 investment per company; over $100,000 in perks available
Deadline
October 15, 2026
Small Business Management Program Scholarships
Portland Business Alliance
Amount
$500 (reduced cost; regular program cost $1,800)
Deadline
October 23, 2026
Established Nonprofit Grant
Women's Nonprofit Alliance
Amount
$1,500
Deadline
October 31, 2026
Ready to apply for Wilkes Entrepreneur Grant Program?
Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.