Business Grants to Fuel Your Growth

Businesses that receive early funding are significantly more likely to scale, yet entrepreneurs of Color are consistently underfunded and overlooked.

Our grants fuel founders who can turn a strategic infusion of capital into real, game-changing growth and are committed to our mission of advancing representation and inclusion in CPG.

Introducing our 2026 Grantees

Recipients of the Madeline Haydon Award for Entrepreneurship

Melody Stein
pi00a

Melody is the founder of pi00a. pi00a brings globally inspired Neapolitan-style pizza to the frozen aisle while centering inclusion and accessibility. Founded by a Deaf and CODA-owned family business, pi00a is building both great food and meaningful employment within the Deaf community.

Recipient of Once Upon a Farm Brand
Builder Award

Kristen Smith-Devine
Tre's Street Kitchen

Kristen is the founder of Tre’s Street Kitchen -- a food service and product business rooted in culture, community, and bold flavor. From campus dining and catering to retail sauces, the brand has grown into a respected operator with deep community ties and institutional partnerships.

Hilary Cocalis
Sipwell Wine Co.

Hilary is the founder of Sipwell -- a modern canned wine brand reimagining how people experience wine  - prioritizing quality, sustainability, and accessibility. With a focus on better ingredients and inclusive branding, Sipwell is helping expand who wine is for and where it belongs.

Recipient of the Baking Goods
innovation award

Michelle Wainwright
Cute as a Cupcake

Michelle is the founder of Cute as a Cupcake, a joyful dessert brand known for its beautifully crafted cupcakes and commitment to community. What began as a local bakery has grown into a beloved business offering catering, shipping, and innovative retail formats.

We are so grateful to our donors for making this program possible!
 

Business Grants

About Project Potluck Business Grants

The Project Potluck Grants provide catalytic, no-equity capital to promising entrepreneurs in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry.
These grants are designed to fuel business growth for founders who align with Project Potluck’s mission of advancing representation and inclusion in the CPG industry.  Each year, multiple grants are awarded from a pooled fund, with criteria and amounts determined by our donor partners.

Applicants submit a single application to be considered for all eligible grants — and no equity is ever required.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Applications for 2025 are closed. The recipients will be announced in December 2025. The next cycle is expected to launch in spring 2026. Please check back here or subscribe to our newsletter for updates on timelines and eligibility.

The Project Potluck Grant Program is open to eligible entrepreneurs who meet the following requirements:

  • Founder of a U.S.-based CPG brand currently in market (DTC, retail, or foodservice)

  • Holds at least 51% ownership of the business they represent

  • Business is active and has demonstrated traction (e.g., sales, partnerships, retail placement)

  • Can clearly articulate how the grant would accelerate growth

The program is open to all backgrounds and seeks to support a diverse range of founders and business models.

One of the most valuable ways to strengthen your competitiveness in future cycles is by building financial readiness — and we’re excited to offer you support in this area through Bags.  Bags offers tools and guidance to help founders better understand their financial position, plan ahead, and make confident decisions. We strongly encourage you to start with Bags’ free financial review tool, which provides a clear snapshot of your business’s financial health and practical next steps.  Bags is also generously offering one-on-one support to the Project Potluck community, giving you the opportunity to work directly with their team and ask questions specific to your business. You can book time with them here

All applications are reviewed by a committee of industry leaders using these criteria:

  • Growth potential: Will the grant meaningfully accelerate the business?

  • Clarity of use: Is there a focused, compelling plan for using the funds?

  • Founder perspective: Does the founder demonstrate leadership, vision, and a strong connection to their brand?

  • Commitment to diversity: Does the applicant demonstrate a commitment to advancing representation and inclusion in the CPG industry?

The committee also considers diversity across business models, regions, and categories when selecting finalists.

Grant offerings may vary each year. For 2025, awards included:

  • Madeline Haydon Award for Entrepreneurship: Two awards of $10,000 each, at least one granted to a female-identifying entrepreneur

  • Once Upon a Farm Brand Builder Grant: One $10,000 award, prioritizing midwest-based innovators

  • Baked Goods Innovation Award: One $5,000 award for a brand in the baked goods or baking ingredients category

Project Potluck partners with entrepreneurs, executives, and companies who want to invest directly in the next generation of CPG leaders. We’d love to work with you to design a grant that reflects your values and allows us to further our mission.  We offer flexible tiers and customizable partnership opportunities so you can choose the level of impact and visibility that fits your goals.

Ready to explore launching your own grant?  Contact us at team@potluckcpg.org to start the conversation.