The Galaxy Grant application is a free, single-page online form at galaxyofstars.org that takes about 30 seconds to complete and asks for six pieces of information plus a password. Run by Hidden Star, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the grant awards up to $4,250 to women and minority business owners or aspiring entrepreneurs.1Galaxy of Stars. Galaxy Grants Funding for Women and Minority Business Owners The current cycle closes July 31, 2026, with winners announced the first week of August on the Galaxy of Stars social media pages.2Galaxy of Stars. Galaxy Grant Thank You Page
Who Qualifies
Eligibility is minimal. You must be at least 18, based in the United States, and either a woman or a minority. You do not need an existing business. People who want to start one can apply on the same footing as current owners.3Microenterprise Collaborative in Inland Southern California. Galaxy Grants
There is no requirement to be a registered LLC or sole proprietorship. The form does not ask for a business plan, financial statements, revenue history, credit score, tax ID, or proof of business formation. You also need to create a free Galaxy of Stars account during the application, unless you already have a Galaxy Plus+ membership, which auto-enters you for all grant opportunities.1Galaxy of Stars. Galaxy Grants Funding for Women and Minority Business Owners
What the Form Asks
Every field fits on one page. No uploads, no essays.1Galaxy of Stars. Galaxy Grants Funding for Women and Minority Business Owners
- First and last name
- Email address (this is where confirmation and winner notifications go)
- U.S. zip code
- Gender: Male, Female, or Prefer Not To Say
- Ethnicity: Hispanic or Latino, African American or Black, Native American or Alaska Native, Asian American or Pacific Islander, Caucasian or White, Other, or Prefer Not To Say
- Business status: “I Would Like To Start A Business” or “I Currently Own A Business”
- A password for your new Galaxy of Stars account
Submitting also creates a free Galaxy Starter account and agrees you to the Galaxy of Stars terms and conditions.
Submitting and What Happens Next
Click submit. There is no application fee.1Galaxy of Stars. Galaxy Grants Funding for Women and Minority Business Owners A confirmation page loads, and a confirmation email lands in your inbox shortly after. Keep that email as proof of entry.2Galaxy of Stars. Galaxy Grant Thank You Page
Only one entry per person is allowed per grant cycle unless the specific grant page says otherwise.4Galaxy of Stars. Terms and Conditions The deadline for the current cycle is July 31, 2026, and winners are announced at the beginning of August 2026 on Galaxy of Stars social media.2Galaxy of Stars. Galaxy Grant Thank You Page
How Winners Are Picked and How Much They Get
The $4,250 figure is a ceiling, not a guaranteed amount. Recent awards have varied: one recipient in April 2026 received $3,500, and two recipients in January 2026 each received $1,000.1Galaxy of Stars. Galaxy Grants Funding for Women and Minority Business Owners The terms explain that when multiple winners are selected in a cycle, the first winner receives the full advertised award and subsequent winners may receive lesser amounts.4Galaxy of Stars. Terms and Conditions
Selection is not a merit review. The terms state Galaxy of Stars may use a random number generator to pick winners “without human bias,” and the organization reserves the right to confirm eligibility before making an award.4Galaxy of Stars. Terms and Conditions Winners must allow Galaxy of Stars and Hidden Star to use their name, business name, and likeness to announce the award and promote future grants.
Fine Print Worth Reading
Two provisions matter. Galaxy of Stars reserves the right to change entry requirements, deadlines, and application fees before or during any grant period, with the only required notice being an update to the terms and conditions page. Checking the page again shortly before you submit is a reasonable habit.4Galaxy of Stars. Terms and Conditions The program is also not obligated to hold any given contest or make any award, which means a cycle could be canceled or modified without notice beyond a website update.
The award itself carries no repayment obligation, interest, or loan structure.5St. Louis American. To Address Systemic Inequities, Galaxy of Stars Announces New Grant for Women and Minority Founders
Taxes if You Win
The IRS generally treats grants, prizes, and awards as taxable income, and no exclusion covers business grants from a nonprofit. Plan to report the award as part of your gross income for the year you receive it.
Depending on the amount and how Hidden Star processes the payment, you may or may not receive a 1099. Either way, the reporting obligation is yours. If the grant is your only non-wage income for the year, the amount alone is unlikely to trigger estimated tax payment requirements, but setting aside a portion when the money arrives keeps filing season predictable.