Homebook Funding Helper · Free
Grants, loans and prizes, each checked on the funder’s own site, starting with Arkansas. Each one answers can a for-profit school apply? Free, no email needed.
Honest picture: most money open to a for-profit school today is a loan (13 of 18 are loans, 2 are grants).
List last checked Oct 1, 2026. Every row shows its own date.
Your school isn’t a 501(c)(3) and the grant says nonprofits only? Here’s what a fiscal sponsor is, and why to ask a CPA first.
An AI that answers only from the listings and guides on this site, with links to each one. It can still be wrong, so check with the funder. Not legal or tax advice. Please don’t share personal information. Chats are processed by ElevenLabs and kept for 90 days to improve the guides (privacy).
Try one
37 options
WomensNet
$10,000 monthly; $10,000 startup; $10,000 category; three $50,000 annual
A general grant for women-owned businesses, awarded every month. Selection-based, so treat it as a long shot.
Deadline Oct 31, 2026 (30 days left)NationalBrand-new schools can apply
HSLDA Compassion
$300–$400 per child, once a year
Curriculum grants of $300–$400 per child, once a year, for homeschool families in need. It's for families, not co-ops, but a family can spend it on co-op tuition.
Deadline Oct 31, 2026 (30 days left)NationalNot stated for new schools
Toshiba America Foundation
K-5 up to $1,000; 6-12 up to $5,000 and above $5,000
Teacher-led K-12 STEM classroom grants: K-5 up to $1,000; grades 6-12 up to $5,000, or more.
Deadline Nov 1, 2026 (31 days left)NationalNot stated for new schools
First Electric Cooperative
Recent awards listed on its page: $500–$2,500
Small grants from a rural Arkansas electric cooperative’s Round-Up fund, for nonprofit organizations.
Deadline Nov 15, 2026 (45 days left)Arkansas, local areaNot stated for new schools
Walmart / Walmart Foundation
$250 to $5,000
Small local grants ($250–$5,000) from Walmart and Sam's Club stores for nonprofit private schools and 501(c)(3)s in the store's area.
Deadline Nov 30, 2026 (60 days left)NationalNot stated for new schools
Verizon (with LISC)
$10,000
A general small-business grant, not made for schools. Selection-based, so treat it as a long shot, but a for-profit school can enter.
Deadline Dec 7, 2026 (67 days left)NationalNot stated for new schools
Fund for Teachers
Up to $10,000 (homepage)
Grants of up to $10,000 for a full-time teacher's own summer learning (not supplies). The teacher applies, not the school.
Deadline Jan 21, 2027 (112 days left)NationalNot stated for new schools
Drexel Fund
Paid fellowship stipend; startup funding amount not posted
A paid fellowship for people founding a new nonprofit private school, followed by startup funding. The launch is fall 2028, so it doesn't help with this year's startup costs.
Deadline Jan 31, 2027 (122 days left)NationalBrand-new schools can apply
ACC Capital (formerly Arkansas Capital Corporation)
$5,000–$50,000
An Arkansas loan, not a grant, for small businesses banks often turn away. Competitive market-based rates, paid back over up to 5 years, no prepayment penalty. It can cover startup costs, equipment and working capital, and comes with free one-on-one coaching.
Rolling: apply any timeArkansasBrand-new schools can apply
Arkansas Department of Education (Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment)
2026-27: $7,208 per student ($1,802 quarterly); 'Succeed' students $8,011 ($2,002.75 quarterly). Paid by families from their EFA.
Tuition money, not a grant: families pay tuition from their Education Freedom Account. An accredited private school, or one in the accreditation process, can become a participating school.
OpenArkansasNot stated for new schools
Arkansas Department of Education (Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment)
Families pay you from their EFA (same 2026-27 amounts as above)
Tuition money, not a grant: families pay approved providers from their Education Freedom Account. This is the route for microschools and co-ops that aren't accredited private schools.
Rolling: apply any timeArkansasNot stated for new schools
Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA)
Guarantees 10%–50% of a bank loan; max guarantee $250,000 on a loan up to $500,000; 2% fee at closing
Not a loan from the state: ADFA guarantees 10%–50% of a bank's loan to a small business (up to a $250,000 guarantee on a loan of up to $500,000; 2% fee at closing). Your bank applies, not you.
Rolling: apply any timeArkansasNot stated for new schools
City of North Little Rock, Office of Economic Development
Varies (arranged financing, not a grant)
North Little Rock's economic development office helps qualified local businesses arrange loans and bonds for working capital, building and equipment. It's financing, not a grant.
Rolling: apply any timeArkansas, local areaNot stated for new schools
Communities Unlimited (CDFI, Fayetteville)
Small business: $1,000–$200,000. Community Facilities: up to $750,000.
A Fayetteville community lender (CDFI) and SBA microloan lender. Small-business loans of $1,000 to $200,000, plus Community Facilities loans up to $750,000 for nonprofits serving rural towns under 20,000.
Rolling: apply any timeArkansasNot stated for new schools
FORGE, Inc. (Huntsville, AR)
SBA microloan up to $50,000; USDA RD up to $250,000 or 75% of project; RLF up to $150,000
A rural-focused Arkansas lender in Huntsville: SBA microloans up to $50,000, USDA Rural Development loans up to $250,000 (or 75% of the project) and a revolving loan fund up to $150,000.
Rolling: apply any timeArkansasNot stated for new schools
Givebutter
Platform, not a grant
A fundraising platform for organizations, nonprofit or not. Individual (personal) fundraising accounts aren't supported.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
Kiva
$1,000–$15,000 at 0% interest, no fees
A 0% crowdfunded loan, not a grant. Repayment is usually over 12–36 months and starts one month after funding. Borrowers on Kiva's alternative verification may be limited to $1,000–$3,000.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
LiftFund
Not posted; small-business rates 0% to 17.50%, admin fees 2% to 7%
A nonprofit lender making small-business loans nationwide, including SBA 7(a) Community Advantage and 504 loans. It serves Arkansas.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
People Trust Community Loan Fund (Little Rock)
Not posted; 10% interest, 90 days to 60 months
A Little Rock community loan fund making small-business loans in low-income communities. Also an SBA microloan lender.
Rolling: apply any timeArkansasNot stated for new schools
Southern Bancorp Community Partners
Not posted
A nonprofit community lender for Arkansas startups, microenterprises and growth-stage small businesses, with loan officers in Little Rock and Helena-West Helena.
Rolling: apply any timeArkansasNot stated for new schools
The Lending Lab (Building Hope Impact Fund)
$10,000–$50,000 (home-based schools capped at $20,000)
A loan built for small private schools, not a grant. 6% fixed (5% with a SchoolStack commitment), 2% origination, 4–6 year term, interest-only in year 1. It pays for operating costs, not construction or real estate. The fund says many Year 0–1 founders use one cycle to get their file ready and apply the next.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
U.S. Small Business Administration
Up to $50,000 (average about $13,000)
A small federal loan, not a grant, made through nonprofit community lenders. Generally 8%–13% interest, paid back over up to seven years. It can’t pay existing debts or buy real estate, and each lender makes its own decisions.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
U.S. Small Business Administration (through a bank or lender)
Up to $5 million (SBA maximum)
The SBA's main loan program, made through banks and other lenders. For-profit businesses only.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
U.S. Small Business Administration (through a Certified Development Company)
Not stated consistently (SBA's page shows two different maximums)
Long-term SBA financing for buying or building real estate and major equipment, through a Certified Development Company. For-profit only.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
AdelFi Credit Union (formerly ECCU and Christian Community Credit Union)
Not posted
A Christian credit union (formerly ECCU and Christian Community Credit Union) offering real-estate loans for churches and Christian organizations.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
America's Christian Credit Union
Not posted
A Christian credit union lending to churches and Christian schools: purchase, construction, refinancing and an operating line of credit. Its page pitches the line of credit to schools waiting on quarterly state voucher payments.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
Arkansas DFA + approved scholarship-granting organizations
Average scholarship capped by law at 80% of prior-year foundation funding (K-8) and 90% (9-12). State credit pool: $6,000,000 a year.
Tax-credit scholarships, not a grant: donors get a 100% Arkansas tax credit for gifts to a scholarship-granting organization (SGO), which gives scholarships to income-eligible students at private schools it approves.
Rolling: apply any timeArkansasNot stated for new schools
Arkansas State Parks
Up to $1,000 per field trip (mileage up to $0.52/mile, bus/driver, substitutes)
Up to $1,000 per field trip (mileage, bus and driver, substitutes) to an Arkansas State Parks program. Names private schools and homeschool groups.
Rolling: apply any timeArkansasNot stated for new schools
Building Hope
Not posted (facility-scale)
Facility-scale financing for schools, including microschools. For a $10,000–$50,000 need, Building Hope points to The Lending Lab.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
First Book
In-kind: free membership, plus free and discounted books and supplies
Free and discounted books and supplies (not cash) for schools and groups where at least 70% of children come from low-income families. Faith-based settings are listed.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
GoFundMe
Platform, not a grant
Families, teachers and schools raise money here. Only gifts through a charity fundraiser to a 501(c)(3) are tax-deductible.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)
Not posted
The Lutheran Church Extension Fund lends to Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) schools.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
Ministry Partners Investment Company
Not posted
Lends to ministries, with a separate business-lending track for Christian-owned businesses.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
Up to $4,000
A small grant for members of a self-employed business association. Funds can go to things like equipment, a website, marketing or part-time help, but not existing debt.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
Pet Care Trust
Rebates of $75 or $125, or a retailer coupon; $50 sustaining grant
Quick, small grants (rebates of $75 or $125, or a retailer coupon) for a classroom pet in a public or private school. Most applications are approved instantly.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
Wildflower Foundation
Modest seed grants (amount not posted), plus low-interest loans
Startup grants and low-interest loans for teacher-founders opening Montessori microschools in the Wildflower network. Wildflower says seed grants aren’t meant to fully fund a launch.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalBrand-new schools can apply
Thrivent
Not posted
Fixed- and adjustable-rate church loans for Christian churches and organizations. Schools aren't named, so a school would most likely borrow through its host church.
Rolling: apply any timeNationalNot stated for new schools
Closed, paused, invitation-only, or the next dates aren’t posted yet. Each line shows the funder’s own status.
GrantKidsGardening: 2027 Youth Garden Grant
Next round not posted. Opens Nov 9, 2026; closes Dec 11, 2026, 11:59 pm PT.
GrantCaptain Planet Foundation: ecoSolution grants; Project Learning Garden
Closed. “There are no External Grant Opportunities at this time.”
PrizeCenter for Education Reform: Yass Prize
Next round not posted. Annual. 2026 applications closed in June; the 2026 winner is named Oct 6, 2026. 2027 dates not posted yet.
Paused. “We are not actively funding any cohorts for the 2025-2026 school year.” It asks people to subscribe to its newsletter for future grant opportunities.
GrantHello Alice: Grant matching (rotating partner grants)
Next round not posted. New programs launch throughout the year. 8 were open on Oct 1, 2026, none for Arkansas schools.
GrantHSLDA: Homeschool Group Grants
Closed. “Grants for 2026 have already been issued. Please check back in early 2027.” The focus changes each year.
Tuition moneyIRS / U.S. Treasury (Arkansas has opted in): Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (IRC 25F)
Next round not posted. Starts Jan 1, 2027. The IRS lists Arkansas among 30 states that opted in for 2027 (as of Sept 14, 2026). States' scholarship-organization lists are due by Feb 15, 2027.
Next round not posted. No application window is posted on its page right now.
GrantSnapdragon Book Foundation: School library grants
Next round not posted. The application posts at the beginning of November and is due by the February deadline.
GrantSociety for Science: STEM Research Grants
Next round not posted. Current cycle dates aren't posted on the eligibility page.
GrantStanley M. Herzog Foundation: Grants (not open) + free SchoolBox training
Invitation only. No open grant applications. Training events are free.
PrizeVoya Financial: Unsung Heroes awards
Next round not posted. The last application guide (©2025) gave an April 18 deadline.
GrantWalton Family Foundation: General grantmaking
Invitation only.
GrantWalton Family Foundation: Innovative Schools Program
Closed. No reopening date posted.
GrantWindgate Foundation: Grants
Invitation only. Prior grantees only.
GrantWinthrop Rockefeller Foundation: Grants
Invitation only. Relationship-based: applications are by invitation, after conversations with its team.
GrantArkansas Community Foundation (local affiliates): Giving Tree Grants
Next round not posted. Two cycles a year. The 2026 cycles were Jan 10–Feb 15 and Jul 10–Aug 15. 2027 dates not posted yet.
Next round not posted. Adult/Family/Summer open January 2027 (2026: Jan 8–Feb 5). Youth Literacy opens spring 2027 (2026: Mar 5–Apr 2).
GrantUnion Pacific Foundation: Community Ties Local Grants
Next round not posted. Application dates aren't posted on its eligibility page.
GrantWhole Foods Market Foundation (formerly Whole Kids Foundation): School Garden Grant
Next round not posted. Opens every year in late winter; check back in February 2027 (2026: Feb 1–Mar 15).
Names founders often hear about that a private school or co-op can’t use, or that no longer exist. We checked so you don’t spend an afternoon finding out.
GrantNewSchools Venture Fund: Innovative Schools
Public schools only, so a private school or co-op doesn't fit.
GrantFedEx: Small Business Grant Contest
Retired after the 2024 cycle. Sites that still list 2026 dates are out of date.
CrowdfundingDonorsChoose: Classroom crowdfunding
Public, charter, Head Start and BIE schools only.
LoanGrow Schools (formerly Charter School Capital): Working capital and facility financing
Charter schools only, so private schools and co-ops don't fit.
GrantNEA Foundation: Student Success and Learning & Leadership grants
Educator grants of up to $5,000 for public-school NEA members only.
One-to-one confidential consulting and market research at no charge, with offices in Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, Magnolia, Russellville and West Memphis.
Last checked Oct 1, 2026
Free one-on-one coaches for your business plan and financial statements, offered with ACC’s microloan.
Last checked Oct 1, 2026
No-cost consulting for entrepreneurs, startups and growth-oriented for-profit small businesses. Also runs Kiva NWA.
Last checked Oct 1, 2026
Free volunteer business mentors, through the SBA.
Last checked Oct 1, 2026
Not a loan application: a tool to find lenders in your community. Matches come in about two days, with no guarantee of a loan.
Last checked Oct 1, 2026
A five-year school financial model from The Lending Lab, free during beta. Its sample school is a demo, not a benchmark.
Last checked Oct 1, 2026
Free online training to launch and lead Christian schools, microschools and homeschool co-ops, plus free training events.
Last checked Oct 1, 2026
A Model C fiscal sponsor for charitable projects: $75 a month plus 3.89% of donations. An example, not a recommendation.
Last checked Oct 1, 2026
With advance notice, park staff present the same curriculum-based programs offered to public and private school groups.
Last checked Oct 1, 2026
A homeschool class series for ages 7–12 ($17 members, $25 non-members per class), and group rates for 15+ from schools or 501(c)(3)s.
Last checked Oct 1, 2026
We couldn’t confirm these on the funder’s own site, so we don’t list them as options yet.
Funders ask small schools for the same few things: an EIN, a separate bank account, a budget, proof of enrollment. Here’s that list in plain English.
What funders ask a school forNot legal or tax advice. Whether your school should be for-profit or a nonprofit, or take on a loan, is a decision for your CPA or attorney. Always confirm the details on the funder’s own page before you apply.
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