Don Anderson Growth Grant

Running Start Don Anderson Growth Grant application

The Running Start Business Growth Grant will support previous winners of the annual Running Start Competition to take their company/initiative into more sustainable operations. Grants will support students to build on their pilot: activities might include consulting legal help, forming a 501C3 or LLC, developing content/videos to develop online presence, paying for promoter or label fees for a record, joining a fiscal sponsor, or going from prototype to launch. The focus is on securing sustainable funding/solutions for their venture.

The award(s) will range from $2000-$7000, according to budget needs and merit of the application. The award is dispersed as a scholarship to your student account. Please note that need-based loans or a balance on your account may affect the dispersal of funds.

Eligibility: Any past Running Start Competition winner is eligible for the Running Start Growth grant, providing that the following criteria are met:

Student is currently enrolled as a student in a degree program at Michigan State University in the semester the funds are awarded
Student has completed their 6 month report for the Running Start Competition

To apply:

Please email the following items as attachments to Emily Henley: henleyem@msu.edu

proof of enrollment with Burgess Institute incubator Discovery Track (email confirmation is fine)

a narrative (no more than 2 pages, single spaced) addressing the following questions:

How do you intend to use the money? Please discuss your goals and outcomes. Include an estimated timeline for your use of the funds.
How will these funds allow you to build on the work you started with your Running Start Competition venture? Please provide evidence of the impact or stewardship of your previously awarded funds.
What are your plans to make your venture financially sustainable? In other words, how will this grant help you to grow your clientele or audience, create recurring income, land recurring funding, or otherwise keep the project going after the grant funds are used up?
How does the proposed project or activities align with your vision and goals for your venture or career path?

An itemized budget that breaks down the costs of your project and demonstrates the relationship of these costs to the project’s long-term sustainability. Outline your expenses and align these expenses with your explained project goals. Outline your anticipated revenues that will help you meet your expenditures.

At least one piece of supporting documentation to demonstrate your stewardship of your previously awarded funds (video, links, documents, images, etc). Effective documentation provides evidence that you have successfully met your initial goals (i.e. participants, ticket sales, reviews, press, social media impressions, etc)

2024 Running Start Competition Finalists Deadline: Sunday, Sept 15, 2024