Microenterprise Grant

About MEGRANT

 

Fall Application Deadline

 
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12 p.m.
 

Spring Application Deadline

 
Wednesday, March 24, 2027 at 12 p.m.
For assistance with your application, please contact Amy Parker
Phone: 907-347-5808
 

The Micro Enterprise Fund strives to increase access to Micro Enterprise and self-employment opportunities for persons with disabilities who are Âé¶¹ÎÞÂë°æ Mental Health Trust Beneficiaries. Grant funds may be used for costs associated with starting a new business, expanding a current business or acquiring an existing business.

KTVA (2019): Statewide grant helps Âé¶¹ÎÞÂë°æns with disabilities become their own boss

Definition of a Micro Enterprise

The business must meet the definition of a micro enterprise, which is a business with total capital needs of not more than $35,000 and fewer than 5 employees.

Allowable Uses of a Grant Award

Allowable costs include but are not limited to: business license, insurance, permits, inventory, raw materials to make a product, equipment, supplies, rent or lease for space to offer a service or product, utilities, furnishings, marketing activities, transportation costs not related to vehicle purchases, accounting services and training/support services.

MEGRANT Application Process

The Microenterprise grant application is an online application. In order to access the application link you must first attend an orientation. The orientation dates are listed below. You will also need to provide documents to show you are eligible. At the bottom of this page is more information about eligibility documentation requirements.

Please email Larrisa Cummings at lscummings@alaska.edu to register for one of the following orientation dates. Once you have completed orientation and submitted the eligibility documents you will be given the link to the online application.
 
If you are unable to attend either of the posted orientation dates please reach out to Larrisa Cummings at lscummings@alaska.edu to arrange a different orientation time. 
 
Scheduled Orientation times:
Wednesday, August 5 at 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, August 19 at 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
 

For assistance with your application, please contact Amy Parker

Phone: 907-347-5808
 

Application Guidelines:

 
  • Requirements

    The grant amounts people request varies depending on the business. Applicants can request a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $12,000. Multiple applications per applicant are accepted in different review periods, but the lifetime maximum is $12,000. (For example, if Joe is awarded $3,000 in 2025 he can request up to $9,000 in subsequent applications).

    If you are requesting $500 - $2,500 you are required to submit this application and the following supporting documentation:

    • Proof of Mental Health Trust Authority Beneficiary Status
    • Documentation of your match. If a portion of your match is from DVR: You will need to show DVR approval. For requests of $2,500 or less a 50% match is required, for amounts above that a dollar for dollar match is required. This will be explained in the orientation.
    • Resume
    • Provide quotes for items you are requesting the grant to pay for. Vendors MUST accept a check. No Big Box stores or large online stores are accepted. Use local stores or smaller online businesses who will work with you. This will be explained in the orientation.

    If you are requesting over $2,500 you must submit all of the above and in addition submit:

    • A Business Plan
    • Financial Statements to include: Three year monthly detail Profit and Loss projections and a 3 year cash flow projection.
  • Eligibility

    Eligibility: To be eligible for a grant from the Microenterprise Fund, applicants must be an Âé¶¹ÎÞÂë°æ Mental Health Trust Beneficiary, as defined by the Trust:
    a. People with mental illness: Statutory definition [AS 47.30.056(d)]:
    b. People with developmental disabilities: Statutory definition [AS 47.30.056(e)]:
    c. People with chronic alcoholism: Statutory definition [AS 47.30.056(f)]:
    d. People with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia: Statutory definition [AS 47.30.056(g)]
    e. People with Traumatic Brain Injury

    Applicants are required to provide documentation of their beneficiary status, with the submission of their application, which can be:

    a. Medical documentation - from a Doctor and that includes a diagnosis;
    b. Vocational Rehabilitation Eligibility statement based on beneficiary disability type;
    c. Other legal documentation of disability as deemed acceptable by the fund administrator

Resources

 

Related Links


Information regarding Mental Health Trust Authority Beneficiary groups


Workshops, consultation, tools, and resources for small businesses


General information about eligibility, supports, services, and the rehabilitation process


Provides information and support to small businesses including online classes, templates, and resources


Provides information about owning, operating and establishing a small business in AK

Part of the Commerce, Community, and Economic Development web site with specific tools and assistance for small business owners


Online resources and templates