The Woogie Fund aims to help small businesses and non-profit organizations improve their economic conditions. 

William A. “Woogie” Harris was a serial entrepreneur and businessman committed to helping small businesses reach their full potential. He extended his financial resources and his home to other entrepreneurs who lack adequate support to compete in their respective industries.

This $10,000.00 Woogie Fund aims to continue Woogie’s generosity with small businesses and non-profits in communities across the nation. The Woogie Fund will be awarded to 3 qualified small businesses or non-profits.

The Woogie Fund of $10,000 will be awarded to one small business owner or a non-profit organization.

The ‘National Opera House’ or the ‘NOH’ is a Nonprofit Organization with 501(c) (3) status. We have partnered with several chambers in various states.  NOH is the grant fund manager.

Eligible small businesses and non-profits must:

• Operate an established entity (Limited Liability Company (LLC), an S-Corporation (S-Corp),  a C-Corporation (C-Corp, or a 501(c)3 )
• Be in business for at least 12 months
• Have some financial records (Income and Expenses)
• Complete the online application form in its entirety
• Pay an application fee of $99. 
• Be based in the United States
• Have an annual revenue of less than $1 million
• Have a business bank account

You do not need to submit any additional documents for the Woogie Fund.   We will verify with official government databases to confirm your company or organization’s status.

No. You do not need a business license to be eligible for the Woogie Fund.

Yes. Sole proprietors are eligible to apply for the Woogie Fund.  However, you must be registered with your state’s Secretary of State system to be eligible.

Yes.  Non-profit organizations are eligible and can apply.

Unfortunately, no. This round is only available to U.S. based businesses and non-profit organizations.

We do not request any information related to the immigration status of applicants. Applicants must answer all application questions and submit all required documentation to be eligible

At the top and bottom of this page, there are two links to the application form. Click either links and follow the instructions to apply.

The deadline is May 01, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST.  However, NOH reserves the right to close the Woogie Grant application before the  stated deadline. Conversely, NOH reserves the right to extend the application after the stated deadline.

Yes.  Your business may apply more than once ONLY if you have not been awarded in the past.  If you have been awarded  (in any amount) by NOH, you must wait 12 months before you can re-apply.

Yes. Each business is considered a separate entity with its own application.  You must complete separate applications and pay separate application fees for each business or organization.

Yes. There is a fee of $99 to apply. 

Please consult your accountant for advise.  Generally speaking, your application fee is considered a tax deductible item.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with the application, please send an email with the issues you are experiencing to support@nationaloperahouse.org.  One of our support staff will make sure to guide you through the application process.

Unfortunately, no.  The Woogie Grant application is very short and should take less than 30 minutes to complete.

Once you submit your application and pay the application fee, you will receive a notification about the next steps.  Please make sure that you input your correct contact information (e.g., email and telephone number).

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Following a strategic selection process, awardees are vetted and verified by NOH to ensure they submitted a complete application, meet eligibility criteria, and pass the business verification review.

Once you have submitted your application and received an email about the next steps, you will not be notified again until the application deadline.  You will receive an email confirming whether you were selected or not.

The Woogie Fund is distributed several days after the application closes. Please reference the schedule below:

• Woogie Fund Deadline: May 01, 2024; 11:59pm EST
• Fund winner will be selected on May 13, 2024. 
• The winner will be announced on May 17, 2024.
• Deposits of $10,000 will be issued directly into one winners’ bank account on May 24, 2024.  Please allow 3-5 business days for the deposit to clear.
• We reserve the rights to close application early prior to stated deadline or extend the deadline.

Yes, this Woogie Fund may be subject to tax reporting based on the value of the grant received. NOH will issue 1099 tax forms to all grant recipients in early 2024 to be filed as part of the 2024 tax year. Please consult with a tax professional to learn more.

If you received a Woogie Fund in any previous round, you are ineligible to reapply for 12 months. After the 12 month period, you may apply.