Free Weekly Grants & Government Contract Leads for Small Businesses

The Money Lead is a free weekly email from Chris Kenney (Traffic Founder) with verified small-business grants and federal contract opportunities, sorted by deadline. Every lead links to its official source, so you can check it yourself in seconds.

What you get every week

• Open opportunities only. Grants and SAM.gov contract notices that are still accepting applications or quotes when the issue goes out.
• Sorted by deadline. The ones closing soonest are at the top, so you know what to work on this week.
• The key facts up front. Amount (when stated), who qualifies, set-aside and NAICS code, deadline with time zone, and how to submit.
• A link to the official source on every lead. No paid-placement “grants,” no loan offers dressed up as free money.
• Free to subscribe. Free readers get the top leads each week. Paid members get the full list.

A sample: 3 leads open right now

Checked against the official sources on October 17, 2026. Always confirm the current details on the source page before you apply.

1. Hey Helen Grant: $10,000 every month for women founders

• Amount: $10,000 per monthly round
• Who qualifies: Women-owned (50%+) US businesses with under $1M in revenue
• Deadline: Next cutoff Oct 31, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. One application is considered for 12 monthly rounds
• The catch: $15 application fee
• Source: visionaries.co/helen-grant

2. Smithsonian construction IDIQ pool (Washington, DC area)

• Amount: Projects of $1M–$8M each, competed among the pool of awardees
• Who qualifies: Total Small Business Set-Aside, NAICS 236220
• Deadline: Nov 9, 2026, 3:00 PM EST
• The catch: Per the solicitation documents, you need 3 prime projects of $3M+ in the past 5 years (one in a historic building), 2 years of CPA-audited financials and a bonding letter
• Source: SAM.gov notice 33330226RF0010010

3. Little Rock AFB: elevator equipment maintenance, repair and inspection

• Amount: Not stated on the notice
• Who qualifies: Total Small Business Set-Aside, NAICS 238290
• Deadline: Nov 18, 2026, 12:00 PM CST
• The catch: The only site visit is Oct 26. RSVP by Oct 22, 4:00 PM CST, and bring a REAL ID to get on base. Questions are due Oct 27, 10:00 AM CST
• Source: SAM.gov notice FA446027Q0005

Want the full list? Read the latest free issue: 14 Small-Business Grants Closing Before Thanksgiving (2026).

How every lead is checked

Each opportunity is opened on its official page (the funder’s own site or the SAM.gov notice) and checked for status, deadline, eligibility and set-aside before it goes in the issue. If something can’t be confirmed on an official page, it gets cut or flagged. More on the process: How The Money Lead Checks Every Opportunity.

Get next week’s leads free

The Money Lead lists opportunities for information only. It isn’t affiliated with any funder or government agency, and listing a lead doesn’t guarantee eligibility or an award.