Applications to participate in the Flourish: Fund Ideas That Matter event are now open. Flourish: Fund Ideas That Matter is an annual micro-granting event hosted by FuseDSM and Love Local that’s designed to give women and gender-nonconforming business owners a chance to earn money by pitching their business ideas to the community. “We created this event in 2018 to create a more grassroots way of supporting local ideas and we’re excited to continue expanding our impact by locking arms with FuseDSM, a chamber dedicated to supporting small businesses,” Flourish founder Emily Steele said. The winner of last year’s Flourish Fund event was Thistle’s Summit bakery owner Marti Payseur, who earned $3,500. Other winners have included race car driver McKenna Haase and Sweet Tooth Farm owner Monika Owczarski. The application window will close at the end of the day on Aug. 15. All for-profit, established businesses looking for a spark, growth or revamp that serve the Des Moines metro area are encouraged to apply. Three finalists will be selected to present their idea at the Flourish event at Jasper Winery on Sept. 20. More information and applications can be found at the Flourish Fund website.