Common Grant Application – Dewlyn Nonprofit Services

The Grant-Ready Award

Offered by: Greater Wealth Works and Dewlyn Nonprofit Services

Website: https://greaterwealthworks.org | https://dewlyn.com

Application Link: https://dewlyn.com/common-grant-application

This Common Grant Application is designed to help you prepare one strong, reusable grant document that can be adapted for multiple funding opportunities. It will also be used to determine one Grant-Ready Awardee, to be announced at the Grant-Ready Intensive training on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Award Details

Award Amount: $500
Number of Awards: 1
Deadline to Apply: Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST
Payout Timeline: 5–7 business days following the award announcement

Eligibility

Must be registered for and actively attending the Grant-Ready Intensive training on Saturday, April 18, 2026
Pre-startup and established small business owners are welcome to apply
Must be present at the time of the award announcement to win
Must provide a completed IRS Form W-9 prior to payout
Must provide a business logo in PNG or JPG format (minimum 300 dpi) for use in promotional materials
Must provide a professional headshot or business photo in JPG or PNG format (minimum 300 dpi)
Must agree to allow Greater Wealth Works and Dewlyn Nonprofit Services to use your name, image, business name, logo, and likeness in promotional materials including their websites, social media, print, and other online platforms to bring awareness to future small business workshops and programs
Must agree that the award is non-transferable and cannot be substituted for services or products

Application Fee: None

I. Business Contact Information

This section may seem simple, but it signals credibility. Funders want to know that your business is real and reachable. They are looking for consistency across your name, structure, and contact details. If your business is still forming, that is acceptable but be clear about where you are in the process. Focus on accuracy and completeness here. This is not the place to impress; it is the place to be clear and professional.

1. Business Full Legal Name:

2. Business Address:

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

3. Phone:

4. Email: *

5. Website / URL:

6. Date Business Established (mm/dd/yyyy):

7. Federal Employer ID (EIN):

8. Entity Type:

9. Please provide your social media handles in the space below:

Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Youtube, X.

10. Point of Contact (POC) Name: *

First

Last

11. POC Title:

12. POC Phone:

13. POC Email: *

II. Business Profile

This section helps the funder quickly understand what you do and where you are in your business journey. They are asking, “Is this a defined business, and does the owner understand it?” Be specific about your stage, how you operate, and where you sell. Avoid vague descriptions. Focus on helping the reader clearly picture your business in real life.

14. Please describe what your business does and the current stage of your business (for example, idea stage, startup, early operations, or established). (750-character max):

15. Please describe where your products or services are currently sold or offered (for example, online, in-person, marketplace platforms, or not yet launched). (300-character max):

16. Please identify your primary business sector or industry. Be specific. (200-character max):

17. Please state how many employees your business currently has, including yourself. If none, please state “0.” (150-character max):

III. Business Challenges

Funders are not expecting perfection. They are looking for awareness. This section helps them understand what you are facing and whether your challenges are real and relevant. Strong responses are honest and specific, not overly polished. Avoid trying to hide problems. Instead, clearly describe what is getting in the way of your growth and why it matters.

18. Please describe one meaningful challenge your business is currently facing. Be specific and realistic. (750-character max):

19. Please describe the top challenges impacting your business at this time. You may include up to three and briefly explain each. (750-character max):

20. Please state your current annual business revenue. If your business has not yet generated revenue, state “$0 – pre-revenue.” (500-character max):

21. Please describe any outside funding or capital your business has received. If none, please state “None.” (500-character max):

22. Please describe any significant milestones your business has achieved to date. If early-stage, describe progress made so far. (750-character max):

IV. Business Strategy

This is where funders begin to assess how you think. They are asking, “Does this business owner have a plan?” Your responses should connect your challenges to your actions. Focus on what you are doing or have done each day to bring your business to this point. When possible, show that you are already taking steps, even if they are small. This section is about your clear direction, your calculated efforts, and your intention to thrive, no matter what.

23. Please describe the strategies you have used or plan to use to overcome your current business challenges. (1000-character max):

24. Please describe how your business currently supports or plans to support your local community. (750-character max)

25. Please describe any job opportunities your business has created or plans to create in your local community. (750-character max):

26. Please describe the anticipated impact and outcomes for your business if you receive this award. Be specific about what will change or improve. (1000-character max)

V. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

In this section, funders are looking for awareness and transparency. They want to understand who is involved in your business and how you approach inclusion. Many large corporations support the communities that their employees live and work in. They want to partner with like-minded business that have a sense of corporate social responsibility. If you are early-stage, speak honestly about your values and how you plan to build your business. Focus on being real and thoughtful rather than trying to say what you think sounds right.

27. Please describe how your team reflects diversity or represents underrepresented groups. If you are a solo business owner, you may describe your own background. (750-character max):

28. Please describe any diversity and inclusion efforts, practices, or programs within your business. If early-stage, describe your approach or intent. (1000-character max):

29. Please describe how you measure or define success in your diversity and inclusion efforts. (500-character max):

VI. Business Resilience & Adaptability

This section is about how you respond to difficulty. Funders want to see that you can navigate challenges and continue moving forward. They are asking, “Can this person handle setbacks?” Share real examples of how you adapted, adjusted, or pushed through a challenge. Focus on actions you took, not just the situation itself.

30. Please describe how you have demonstrated resilience in your business. Share specific strategies, decisions, or qualities that have helped you move forward during challenges or uncertainty. (1500-character max):

VII. Award Narrative

This is the most important section of the application. This is where funders decide whether to invest in you. They are looking for clarity, purpose, and alignment between your story, your request, and your plan. Be specific about what you need, why you need it, and how it will move your business forward. Avoid general statements. This is your opportunity to connect your experience, your business, and your request in a way that makes sense.

31. Please tell your business story, including how you got started and what led you to this work. (1500-character max):

32. Please provide a clear and concise elevator pitch for your business (2 to 3 sentences). (500-character max):

33. Please describe your funding request, including what you are asking for and why. (500-character max):

34. Please explain how the grant will help your business at this stage. (750-character max):

35. Please describe how you will leverage this award beyond the initial funding. (750-character max):

36. Please describe your commitment to improving your business and the specific steps you have already taken to grow or strengthen it. (750-character max):

VIII. Disclosure

This section is about transparency and trust. Funders want to know that there are no hidden relationships or conflicts that could affect your application. Answer clearly and directly. If something applies, explain it. If not, simply state that. This section is not complex, but it is important for maintaining integrity.

37. Please disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to this application. If none, please state “No.” (300-character max):

38. Please describe your relationship to the business (for example, owner, co-owner, founder). (150-character max):

max): platforms, If

IX. Supplementary Information

This section helps funders visualize your business and the person behind it. While optional in some small business applications, providing a headshot or logo can strengthen your application by making it feel more complete and professional. If you have these materials, include them. If not, do not let this prevent you from submitting your application.

39. Please provide a headshot, if available. (Optional):

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload

40. Please provide your business logo, if available. (Optional):

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload

X. Bonus Points (Optional)

Applicants may receive up to 10 bonus points by completing one of the following:

1. Post on social media today that you are attending the Live Grant-Ready Training and share your experience. Provide proof of your post.

2. Sign up for Verizon Digital Ready through Greater Wealth Works using the link or QR code provided. If you have already signed up, you are not eligible for this option.

https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/partner-awbc-greater-wealth-works
https://bit.ly/486M9Rh

3. Sign up for a Greater Wealth Works membership at:
https://greaterwealthworks.org/business-resources-2/

1. Did you post on social media about the Live Grant-Ready Training?

2. Did you sign up for Verizon Digital Ready using the link provided?

3. Did you sign up for a Greater Wealth Works membership?

XI. Applicant Agreements

This section is required for all applicants. By completing and submitting this application, you confirm that you have read and agree to each of the following terms. If you are selected as the Grant-Ready Awardee, these agreements must be fulfilled before the award is paid. No payout will be issued without a completed IRS Form W-9 on file.

IRS Form W-9 Requirement

If selected, the awardee must submit a completed IRS Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification) by April 28, 2026. The W-9 must include your legal name or business name, taxpayer identification number (EIN or SSN), business address, and signature. Award payment will be issued within 5–7 business days of receipt of a valid, completed W-9. No payment will be released without it.

The W-9 should be sent directly to: rdavis@greaterwealthworks.org with the subject line “Grant-Ready Award – W-9 Submission.”

By submitting this application, I agree to provide a completed IRS Form W-9 if selected as the awardee, and I understand that payment will not be issued until the form is received. *

Photo and Image Release

By submitting this application, if awarded, you agree to grant Greater Wealth Works and Dewlyn LLC a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the headshot, business photo, and business logo submitted with this application. These materials may be used in promotional materials including websites, social media, print publications, email campaigns, and other online or offline platforms for the purpose of promoting future small business workshops, programs, and grant opportunities. Use of your materials will always be associated with your name and business name. You may withdraw this permission at any time by submitting a written request to both Rachel Davis, Executive Director for Greater Wealth Works, at rdavis@greaterwealthworks.org and Cheryl Smith, CEO of Dewlyn, LLC at csmith@dewlyn.com.

By submitting this application, if I am awarded, I grant Greater Wealth Works and Dewlyn LLC permission to use my name, likeness, headshot, business photo, and business logo in promotional materials as described above. *

Award Terms

By submitting this application, I understand and agree to the following award conditions: (1) The award of $500 is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for services, products, or store credit. (2) I must be present at the Grant-Ready Intensive training on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the time of the award announcement to be eligible to receive the award. If I am not present when the winner is announced, the award will be forfeited. (3) The award will be paid within 5–7 business days of receipt of a completed IRS Form W-9. Failure to submit your W-9 by April 28, 2026, voids the offer of award. (4) Greater Wealth Works and Dewlyn LLC reserve the right to verify the eligibility of all applicants prior to disbursing the award.

By submitting this application, I confirm that I understand and agree to the award terms stated above. *

Accuracy and Certification

By submitting this application, I certify that all information provided is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any misrepresentation or omission of material information may result in immediate disqualification or, if discovered after the award has been issued, may require repayment of the full award amount.

By submitting this application, I certify that all information provided is accurate and complete, and I understand that misrepresentation may result in disqualification or repayment. *

Applicant Signature

By printing my name below, I confirm that I have read, understood, and agreed to all terms in Section XI. of this application.

Full Name of Applicant:

Date:

Thank you for completing the Grant-Ready Application! Wishing you tremendous success on your grant-writing journey!