Ready to Get Real? Apply for the Rural Gone Urban Small Business Grant

The Rural Gone Urban Foundation awards grants to women small business owners with slim margins and big dreams. Grants fund critical marketing assets like websites, social media strategy, and advertising plans, key elements in standing out in today’s crowded marketplace.

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Applications Open June 2025

• Applications Open June 2025

Have a small business that’s ready to level up but needs a little cash to make it happen? Lucky for you, we’re here to help—because you actually deserve to thrive, not just survive. The Rural Gone Urban Small Business Grant is back, and we’ve got funding, guidance, and a whole lotta love to give.

Applications open June 1, 2025 and close 10 days later. That’s right, just 10 days to get your act together and show us why your business is ready to be the next big thing (or at least your next big step). Don’t worry, we won’t judge you for procrastinating—just make sure you hit submit before the clock runs out.

Let’s Get To Work

  • When

    Applications open June 1, 2025.

  • Who

    Women, rural business owners who want to take things to the next level. We’re talking real businesses with a heart, soul, and plans for world domination (or at least some local buzz).

  • What's on Deck

    Cold-call interviews with finalists (yes, we’ll call you like it’s 1995).

    A $5,000 grant awarded in summer 2025 to be used for marketing assets like websites, social media strategy, and advertising plans, key elements in standing out in today’s crowded marketplace.

    Up to six months of monthly brand strategy coaching calls with the Small Business Grants Program committee.

  • What We’re Looking For

    We want to see your business in all its glory:

    Your passion: If you’re excited, we want to be excited.

    Your hustle: Show us how your business has been kicking ass and taking names.

    Your vision: We want to know what’s next, and how this grant can make that happen.

So, are you in?

Brooke Taylor, the founder of the Rural Gone Urban Foundation, kicked off her strategic communications business, Rural Gone Urban, LLC, from a horse barn apartment—because why not? She had one client, a prayer, and a bank account that barely had three figures. The margins were thin, the stakes were high, and the hustle was real.

With years of experience as an account executive in advertising, Brooke had enough grit to rival the toughest of old-school cowboys. She was all in, no backup plan, and somehow pulled off the impossible. Then, just when things seemed like they were getting started, she got a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. But instead of retreating, she created the Rural Gone Urban Foundation to show her then-2-year-old daughter that supporting strong, brave women is not a one-off—it’s a way of life. Because when you face down the big stuff, you don’t just survive; you thrive, and you bring others with you.

Application Tips

  • Be detailed.

    Do not assume we know anything. The committee has never met you or heard of your brand. The ball is in your court to share why you’re the right human for this grant.

  • Be real.

    The small business grant committee is looking for more than the highlight reel. We’re interested in your character, your passions, and your work ethic.

  • Be honest.

    All small business grant committee members have signed non disclosure agreements, which means we cannot legally share any information you provide within your application without your permission, unless that information can cause harm to yourself or others.

  • Ask for help.

    Work with a trusted advisor, mentor, or friend who can help you see the forest for the trees. They may remember an anecdotal story that may elevate your application to the next level.

  • Review.

    Even the most renown authors have an editor. Review your application before submission. However, please know, we will not discount your application because of grammatical errors.

The Real Reel: This is Funding for Marketing

This isn’t your typical “we’ll give you money for whatever you want” grant. No, no – we have standards.

The Rural Gone Urban Foundation is here to fund the stuff that will make you stand out in today’s marketplace. Think websites, social media strategies, and advertising plans – the things that will help you stop blending in and start thriving.

Last year, we had applications asking for funding to install septic tanks and cover full salaries. No judgment, but let’s just say that wasn’t quite the vibe we were going for.

We’re a very young nonprofit that got its start in 2022, and we’re founded — and operated — by a stage 4 cancer thriver who’s also juggling a full-time business.

So, we get it – building a business while hustling through life’s curveballs isn’t easy. If you believe we’re just sitting here with a massive budget to run the foundation? Not exactly.

But for now, let’s focus on you. So, if you're seeking money to boost your business with the right tools – apply and let’s see how we can help.

For the love, please read the FAQs before sliding into our DMs.

  • The Census Bureau defines rural as any population, housing, or territory not in an urban area. This definition is closely tied to its urban definition, of which there are two geographical types:

    "Urbanized Areas" have a population of 50,000 or more.

    "Urban Clusters" have a population between 2,500 and 50,000.

    Learn more.

  • Your business is at least 51% owned and controlled by women. This means having direct control (not through another entity) to handle day-to-day management and long-term decision making for the businesses.

    Learn more from SBA.gov

  • Business owners will need to upload business entity paperwork.

    Sole Proprietor
    A sole proprietor is someone who owns a business individually. They have not separated the business from the owner's tax or legal liabilities. It is possible that the business is under a different name than the individual, often known as a doing business as (DBA) name.

    Proof of sole proprietorship ownership can be accomplished with:

    1. A copy of the owner's tax return with the Schedule C included.

    2. A copy of the DBA proving that the individual established the alternative business name.

    Limited Partnership, Limited Liability Partnership, Corporation, Limited Liability Company (LLC)
    These four structures are called formal structures and must be registered with their Secretary of State to be formed. Secretary of State will provide a certificate of that business structure.

  • For the small business grant application references, we're looking for professional references who can speak to your character, work ethic, and potential as a business owner. These can include mentors, colleagues, clients, or anyone familiar with your professional skills, goals, and work history.

    While personal references are not required, we’d prefer references who are connected to your professional journey and who understand your vision for the business you're working to grow. If the person you're choosing as a reference is aware of your current business plans or vision, that’s a bonus! It helps provide context to your goals and your drive to succeed.

    Just make sure they’re someone who can speak to your strengths, your character, and your commitment to the business.

  • All business structures are eligible to apply as long as they meet the rural and women-owned requirements and are able to provide documentation of their business status.

  • Grants fund critical marketing assets like websites, social media strategy, and advertising plans, key elements in standing out in today’s crowded marketplace.

    Recipients must use the financial grants as they pertain to the projects they outlined in their application and must provide appropriate documentation.

  • Applicants will create an account when applying for grants, which will allow all applicants to review and edit as needed prior to submission. Additionally, if an applicant is not awarded a grant, they can access their previous application information to resubmit for upcoming award cycles.

  • The Rural Gone Urban Foundation invested in a platform to respect applicants’ private information, reduce unconscious bias, and to streamline the application process for applicants.

    We use Good Grants.

  • Grants will be awarded directly to the business receiving the grant.

  • Yes. Whether you receive a grant or not, you will hear from the grant committee.

  • The Rural Gone Urban Foundation is funded by individual and corporate donations.

  • Yes. You will provide documentation of your business filing status.

  • Right here.

When a storm arises - literally or figuratively - we have an opportunity to lean into it, or run.

Bison do what any of us hope we’d do it in that situation — they face the storm.

While the others — elk, deer, moose, et al. - run, bison turn into the storm. And in doing so, they’re in midst of the storm for less time than those who are running with it.

The Rural Gone Urban Foundation supports brave and strong women. Those who turn into their storms. Those who refuse to backdown from a challenge.

Still have questions?

Please share, in detail, what questions or clarifications you have or need. Submissions are directed to Small Business Grant Committee.

Committee Transparency

The Small Business Grants Committee is comprised of women who have launched their own brands based in rural America.

Amber Wright (Dreamcatcher Sports, Sunset Corner, Vian T-Shirt Company)
Brooke Taylor (Rural Gone Urban), Hannah Miller (Goin’ Coastal Outfitters, Hannah Mo Consulting)