PHOENIX — State Forty Eight Foundation will open its applications for its annual grant program on Sunday, Sept. 27, providing eligible Arizona entrepreneurs with an opportunity to receive funding to support the growth and success of their businesses.

As part of the application process, eligible business owners must attend at least one day of the 2026 Entrepreneur Speaker Series, either in person or virtually, and complete a post-event survey. The speaker series brings together Arizona founders, executives and industry leaders who share real-world experiences, practical strategies, and lessons learned from building and growing successful businesses.

The grant program is designed to help Arizona entrepreneurs gain access to both financial resources and valuable business education.

Arizona entrepreneurs submit 120,000 to 135,000 new business applications each year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. This breaks down to an average of about 14 new business applications submitted every hour, reflecting strong and steady startup activity across the state.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Arizona’s economy, and entrepreneurs often need more than just funding to take their businesses to the next level,” stated Kristin Priscella, executive director of the State Forty Eight Foundation, in a news release. “Through this grant opportunity and our Entrepreneur Speaker Series, we’re creating opportunities for business owners to learn, connect and access resources that can help them continue to grow.”

Grant Eligibility

To be considered for a State Forty Eight Foundation grant, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Must be a for-profit business registered in Arizona.
• Must have annual revenue of $1 million or less.
• Must have been generating sales for at least six months.
• Must attend at least one day of the 2026 Entrepreneur Speaker Series, either in person or virtually, and complete a post-event survey.
• Must complete the online grant application in its entirety.

The Entrepreneur Speaker Series requirement is intended to provide applicants with an opportunity to learn from experienced business leaders while gaining practical insights they can apply to their own companies. The event is free to attend, but attendees must be registered in advance.

Since 2020, State Forty Eight Foundation has provided over $185,000 in grant funding to fifty-four Arizona-based small businesses, with 50% of those funded being women-owned, co-owned, or owned by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) founders.

Grant applications open on Sunday Sept. 27 – Sunday, Oct. 11. Winners will be announced later this year at the Winners’ Circle Celebration. Eligible Arizona business owners are encouraged to review the full guidelines and complete the online application. There are also optional webinars scheduled for September 15 and September 30. For more information about State Forty Eight Foundation, the 2026 Entrepreneur Speaker Series, or the grant application process, visit sfef-speakerseries.org.

Editor's note: The above was republished from a State Forty Eight Foundation news release.