The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator grant program provides creative entrepreneurs with small business consulting and $2,000 in critical financial resources to grow businesses and revenue. 55% of the funds available for distribution in this program have been reserved for Black, Indigenous, or persons of color (BIPOC), or individuals residing in low-income communities identified by the Small Business Administration’s low income communities map. The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance administers this grant on behalf of the PA Council on the Arts for Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties through the Partners in the Arts (PPA) Program. The 2025 Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program launched on March 3, 2025. View the full grant guidelines. 

Click here for the Info Session Slidedeck - CEA section starts on slide 17

Process and timeline

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility 

Check your eligibility here. If you are eligible, you will receive information about the next steps in the process. 

This grant program offers $2,000 in support to creative entrepreneurs starting a business or currently operating a micro-business with gross revenue less than $200,000 in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. Eligible applicants must participate in creative fields such as marketing, architecture, visual arts, crafts, design, film and media, digital games, music, entertainment, publishing, or a similar creative field. Creative entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for the Creative Entrepreneurs Accelerator Program once every three years. Non-profit organizations are not eligible for funds through this program.

Applicants must: 

• Have not received Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Funding in the past three years (Creative Entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program once every three years).*
• Be at least 18 years of age and a current resident of Pennsylvania for at least one year. 
• Demonstrate gross revenue of less than $200,000 from the creative entrepreneur business. 
• Be a creative entrepreneur intending to form a business or operating a business in Pennsylvania within one or more of the following creative industry areas:
  • Marketing – Advertising and marketing agencies & professionals
  • Architecture – Architecture firms & architects
  • Visual Arts & Crafts – Galleries, artists, artisans & makers, tattoo artists
  • Design – Product, interior, graphic, and fashion design firms and designers
  • Film & Media – Film, video, animation, TV & Radio businesses 
  • Digital Games – Companies, programmers & individuals producing games.
  • Music & Entertainment –Producers, venues, musicians & performers
  • Publishing – Print or electronic businesses & content creators, editors & writers 
• Possess all current and valid licenses, permits, leases, certifications, and registrations required to engage in the creative endeavor (e.g. tattoo, street performance) in the geographical location served by the entrepreneurship.

*Note on Re-application:

• Applying and receiving funds after the 3-year mark is contingent upon availability of funds after applicants that have never received funding have had an opportunity to be funded. 
• Previous grant recipients must have successfully completed all grant requirements, including submission of their final report, in order to be eligible for the grant. 
• Other requirements for reapplying after 3 years include a follow-up visit with a referral partner to review business plan and progress of business. If you are a previous grant recipient and have questions about the status of your grant, please contact grants@philaculture.org.

Step 2: Business plan consultation with a Referral Partner 

Following eligibility confirmation, applicants will receive contact information to schedule a consultation and business plan review with a local small business development organization, known as a Referral Partner. Prospective applicants have between March 3, 2025 - April 30, 2025 to have their meeting.

The Referral Partner will help with the logistics of starting a business including the development of a business plan and growth strategies. 

Business consultation services are provided at no cost to prospective applicants.

Widener University Small Business Development Center and Temple University Small Business Development Center act as Referral Partners. 

Widener University tiene servicios en español.

We encourage applicants to connect with Referral Partners as early as possible. This timing is to ensure that meeting appointments are available prior to the application window opening. This meeting is a mandatory requirement as part of the application process. Review the criteria for approval in the grant guidelines. Referral of a creative entrepreneur by a Referral Partner does not guarantee that a grant will be made.
 

Step 3: Application - May 5 - May 23 *Happening Now* 

Applications are now open. APPLY HERE. The application portal closes on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. 

Applications will be reviewed once the application window closes with no prioritization based on the order received.

Applicants must submit application materials through GPCA’s Submittable system. Only applicants who have completed a meeting with a Referral Partner will be considered. However, meeting with a Referral Partner does not guarantee that a grant will be made.

Preview the application questions here.  This copy is for information purposes only. Applications will not be accepted via Google Docs or email.

Step 4: Notification and award 

Successful applicants will be notified in July 2025. 

For those approved, the Cultural Alliance will enter into an award agreement with the creative entrepreneur. 

The CEA program includes the use of a data and information resource called the Impact Management System (IMS)/ Business Growth Ladder (BGL). This tool gives the creative entrepreneur insights into their business growth. Entrepreneurs will receive a link from Bridgeway Capital where the entrepreneur will self-report their information. Once the creative entrepreneur inputs their data into the IMS/BGL system, the grant funds will be processed. 

A limited number of grants are available and demand for this funding is high.

Note: For those who completed the referral process and an application in 2024, but did not receive funding: you will not be required to repeat the referral meeting in advance of application. You WILL have to complete a new application.
 

Step 5: Utilize the grant 

Funds will be delivered in August 2025. The grant period is one year (August 15, 2025 - August 14, 2026) though most grantees utilize funding right away.

Eligible Use of Funds
Funds must support business formation or development. Nonprofit businesses are not eligible for support under this program. Eligible uses of grant funds include:

• Professional fees for workshops, consultants, and career coaching.
• Participation in events, trade shows, festivals, etc. that offer access to audience and revenue
• generation potential.
• Business development fees for courses or seminars for business skills.
• Research and development.
• Marketing and promotion.
• Development or upgrades to technology related to business practices.
• Studio/rehearsal/retail space rent (outside of regular business operating costs, rent, and utilities)
• Reasonable fees for supporting/collaborating artists.
• Purchase of supplies and/or equipment.

Ineligible Use of Funds

• Activities outside the funding period.
• Activities that have a religious purpose.
• Payments to lobbyists.
• Activities for which academic credit is given.
• Offsets to regular business operating costs, including regular salary or wages.
• Hospitality, food, or beverages.
• Direct or indirect participation in a political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
• Attempts to influence legislation.

Step 6: Report

The grant term is one year (August 15, 2025 - August 14, 2026) All grantees will be required to submit receipts and a list of their expenses/use of funds, along with completing the IMS/BGL survey, due September 15, 2026.

Receipts and the list of how funds were used can be submitted at any time during the grant term once funds have been spent.

The CEA Grant is funded through a program that activates State Taxpayer Funding. For the purpose of tax reporting, the funds are not considered a “gift” and should be reported in tax filing. For further questions regarding filing please visit the IRS website at irs.gov or consult with a tax professional.

Helpful Resources

• Full CEA Guidelines from PCA
• Eligibility Checklist
• Application Questions
• View the list of 2024 CEA grantees

If you have questions about the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator grant, please email grants@philaculture.org