sage Microgrant Program
The SAGE Microgrant Program supports small businesses, urban agriculture, and creative projects that bring energy and opportunity to the Sweet Auburn neighborhood. These grants help local entrepreneurs and community leaders bring their ideas to life whether through greening rooftops, upgrading community spaces, or offering free services to neighbors.
The next round of micro grants will open early summer 2026. Stay tuned for details on how to apply and grow your idea right here in Sweet Auburn.
Goals & Objectives
- Support Small Business Growth: Provide financial assistance to small businesses in the Sweet Auburn community to enhance their operational capacity, improve infrastructure, expand their services, and start-up cost.
- Enhance Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens: Strengthen food security and community engagement through investments in urban farming and community garden projects that promote sustainability and access to fresh, locally grown produce.
- Promote Art Education: Support local schools in developing art-related projects that inspire creativity and foster artistic expression among students. This may include visual arts, performing arts, or interdisciplinary projects.
Eligible Applicants
- Small Business Development: Small businesses located in or primarily serving the Sweet Auburn community. This includes but is not limited to retail, artisanal, or service-based businesses. Businesses must be independently owned and not part of a national franchise. Annual revenue of less than $20,000.
- Urban Farming/Community Gardens: Organizations, community groups, or residents engaged in urban agriculture, food access, or garden-related community-building projects. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate sustainability and long-term community benefits.
- Art Education Projects: Schools or educational organizations within the Sweet Auburn community proposing art-related projects for their students. Projects should have a clear educational goal and promote student creativity.
Funding Guidelines
Microgrants of up to $2,500 will be awarded. The number of grants available is subject to funding availability. Applicants should request only the amount necessary to implement their proposed project and must provide a detailed budget outlining how funds will be used.
Past Awardees
Faces & Futures: Community Portrait Series | Website: facesfutures.com
Faces and Futures is a community-centered photography initiative that provides free professional headshots to individuals who may otherwise lack access to this resource. Through four photography sessions hosted in Sweet Auburn, the program creates a safe, affirming space where residents especially job seekers, small business owners, and creatives can be seen, celebrated, and equipped with high-quality visuals to enhance their resumes, personal brands and portfolios.
CloveHouse farm used the micro grant funds to purchase and upgrade essential photography equipment. enabling the project to offer professional-level images and improve the overall quality of each session. This investment also ensures the sustainability of the initiative beyond the grant period, as the equipment can be reused for future sessions and events.
The project is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves to “be seen” and show up in the world with confidence. With no glitz or gatekeeping, Faces & Futures removes barriers to access and supports workforce development, entrepreneurship, and artistic empowerment in the community.
Atlanta Center for Photography: Rooftop Herb Garden and Community Workshops
The Atlanta Center for Photography used its microgrant to create a rooftop herb garden, transforming unused space into a hub for creative and environmental education. The garden has supported community workshops and classes that explore photography, sustainability, and plant life. Participants learned to use herbs and flowers to make photosensitive emulsions and created lumen prints using rooftop plants—blending art and nature in hands-on, interdisciplinary experiences. The project deepened the organization’s community connection and activated a new green space on Auburn Avenue.
Purple Door Salon: Customer Experience Enhancement
The Purple Door Salon, a beloved Black-owned business in Sweet Auburn, used its microgrant to elevate its physical space and deepen its commitment to customer care. The funding supported a series of upgrades including enhanced amenities, aesthetic improvements, and the creation of a boutique espresso bar for guests to enjoy while waiting or relaxing between services.
These enhancements mot only modernize the salon’s environment but also help distinguish it as a wellness-centered destination the community. The espresso bar reflects the owner’s passion for hospitality and attention to detail–creating a warm, memorable atmosphere for new and returning clients alike. By investing in small but meaningful improvements, the grant has allowed The Purple Door to scale its business model, attract new customers, and contribute to the corridor’s vibrancy.
Restoring One’s Hope: Expanding FED Nutrition Program
Restoring One’s Hope used its SAGE Microgrant to expand the FED Nutrition Program (Food Education & Development) with a focus on food-based entrepreneurship. The grant supported hands-on workshops that taught underserved and unhoused participants key skills in financial literacy, marketing, and culinary planning. ROHA also provided licensing support, ServSafe exam prep, and startup materials to help participants launch small food ventures. These efforts were part of a broader goal to promote economic independence through food education and business training.
Looking ahead, ROHA is working to establish a community hub featuring a teaching kitchen, certification cent, and space for food entrepreneurs at 18 William Holmes Borders Drive.
