Who Wins Instant $1,000 Grants (And Why)

If you’ve ever wondered who actually wins $1,000 small business grants, you’re not alone.

Thousands of entrepreneurs apply for grants every month, but many assume the winners are either “picked randomly” or that only certain types of businesses qualify.

The truth is more nuanced — and more encouraging.

After reviewing hundreds of recent $1,000 Instant Grant winners on Skip, clear patterns emerge. These grants go to real businesses, across industries, states, and stages, and the path to winning is far more accessible than most people think.

Below, we break down who wins, why they win, and how you can apply in minutes.

What Are Skip's Instant $1,000 Grants?

Skip's Instant $1,000 Grants are no-fee, no-purchase-required cash and credit grants awarded regularly to small business owners through Skip. There are at least two drawings every single week that typically award several grants during each drawing.

They are designed to:

Support real operating businesses
Be fast to enter
Be accessible to entrepreneurs at all stages

Winners receive up to $1,000 in cash or credit which can be use

Marketing
Equipment
Inventory
Software
Operating expenses

👉 You can apply here: https://tryskip.com/1k

Who Actually Wins $1,000 Grants?

One of the biggest misconceptions about small business grants, especially Skip's Instant $1k Grants, is that they only go to:

Tech startups
Nonprofits
“Perfect” businesses with big revenue

That’s not what we see in practice. Recent winners of Skip's Instant Grants include:

Beauty & personal care brands
Food & beverage businesses
Marketing agencies
Childcare providers
Health & wellness businesses
Clothing brands
Consultants and service providers
Nonprofits
Solo founders and side hustles

Winners come from all 50 states, from cities like:

New York, NY
Los Angeles, CA
Houston, TX
Memphis, TN
Milwaukee, WI
Bethlehem, PA
Orlando, FL

There is no single “type” of business that wins — every type of business at every stage across all 50 states has won a Skip Instant Grant.

Common Traits Among $1,000 Grant Winners

While winners are diverse, they tend to share a few important characteristics.

1. They Are Real, Active Businesses

Grant winners typically have:

A business name
A clear product or service
Some form of online presence (or are actively building one)

This does not mean they are large or profitable — many are early-stage or growing.

2. They Complete Their Business Profile

Winners usually take a few minutes to:

Add basic business details
Confirm payout information
Complete required steps to apply

This makes it easier to verify and award grants efficiently.

While anyone who enters and has status as "Applied" is entered to win, the amount someone wins is based on what the entrepreneur has completed for their business.

3. They Show Consistency, Not Perfection

You don’t need:

A perfect website
Fancy branding
High revenue

Many winners:

Are solo founders
Have simple logos
Are still refining their offerings

What matters is that the business is legitimate and active.

4. They Actually Apply

This sounds obvious, but it’s the biggest differentiator.

Many eligible businesses never complete the application — not because they can’t, but because they assume they won’t win.

The reality: someone wins every time, and that someone often looks just like you.

Do You Need a Website to Win?

For many grants, having a website is required.

If you don’t have one yet, Skip allows you to:

Create a website quickly
Set up a business page
Prepare everything needed to apply

And again, you do not need to have a website to be selected, but your total eligible amount is based on business factors, one of which typically is having a valid website.

Are These Grants Legit?

Yes.

Since 2020, Skip has awarded over $1 million in direct grants to small businesses, with publicly listed winners, live grant drawings, and transparent grant pages.

This isn’t theoretical funding — it’s real money going to real businesses.

How Long Does It Take to Apply?

Most businesses can apply in just a few seconds. Entering is the easy part and then you have the option of increasing your eligible amount, which might take a few more minutes depending on what you need to complete.

There are no application fees and no purchase required.

How to Apply for a $1,000 Instant Grant

If you’re running a business — or actively starting one — you can apply today.

👉 Apply here: https://tryskip.com/1k

Once you apply:

You’ll be entered for upcoming up to $1,000 grant drawings
You’ll be notified if additional steps are needed
You’ll be eligible for future grant opportunities

Final Thought: Most Winners Didn’t Think They’d Win Either

If there’s one consistent theme across grant winners, it’s this:

“I didn’t think I’d win — I just kept applying and I finally won!”

If you’re running a real business and you’re willing to spend a few minutes completing your application, you already look like many of the businesses that win.

Apply once. Stay eligible. Let the rest take care of itself.

👉 Start here: https://tryskip.com/1k