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Small Business Grants, Funding Opportunities, and Resources

Tia Muhammad

Have a bright idea that needs funding? Check out this list of funding opportunities dedicated to empowering women and minorities with a small business! Sectioned into geographic location including global grants, this article will delve into valuable funding resources specifically designed to support and uplift underrepresented entrepreneurs. Whether you're a woman or a member of a minority group, we understand the unique challenges you may face and are here to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive. Discover how to leverage these opportunities to propel your small business towards success and break down barriers along the way. Let's dive in!

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES (unless specified in the description)

Amazon App Store Small Business Accelerator

The Small Business Accelerator Program allows developers that earn less than 1 million USD in total annual revenue in the previous calendar year to access additional benefits up to or equivalent to 20% of Appstore revenue. If eligible, you’ll receive a 10% increased royalty payment and AWS credits equivalent to 10% of your app revenue. - https://developer.amazon.com/apps-and-games/small-business-program

Amazon AWS Healthcare Accelerator

Virtual four-week technical, business, and mentorship accelerator that will scale high potential startups focusing on the challenge of healthcare burnout, training, retaining, and deploying the healthcare workforce. Earn AWS credits. - https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/AWS-Healthcare-Accelerator

Antler Global Startup Program

Antler is a global early-stage VC that runs multiple programs for business startups around the world. See the website for more info about the program and application dates. - https://www.antler.co/platform/#apply-now

Awesome Foundation

Foundation distributes $1,000 grants, no strings attached, to projects and their creators. At each fully autonomous chapter, the money is pooled together from the coffers of ten or so self-organizing “micro-trustees”.  Awarded monthly - https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en

Make It Circular Challenge

Challenge invites designers, creative entrepreneurs and startups from around the world to submit ideas and Innovations that radically rethink their way of life: from what they eat and wear, to why they buy and how they build. Using the power of design, they can make a circular future more accessible for all. Funding of 10,000 Euros. - https://makeitcircular.whatdesigncando.com/

Outpost Residency

Outpost is a residency for creative writers of color from the United States and Latin America. Each September, two writers are awarded a $2,000 stipend as well as complimentary travel, lodging, and meals to spend a month cultivating a generative writing community in the mountains of Southern Vermont. - https://www.outposttheresidency.org/

RESPOND Accelerator

The RESPOND Accelerator is a 5-month startup accelerator program that systematically advances how entrepreneurs lead, grow and scale sustainable businesses. While the team is based in Munich, most of the accelerator operates online and they work with startups from across the globe. - https://respond-accelerator.com/apply/

Susan Beech Mid-Career Artist Grant

The Susan Beech Mid-Career Artist Grant provides $20,000 toward the completion of a significant jewelry-related project. The proposed project should be about jewelry, loosely defined. Applicants must be between the ages of 35 - 55. - https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=10753

Tech4Eva Fem Tech Accelerator

All start-ups or projects developing innovative solutions to foster women's health are welcome to apply to this program. - https://app.future-of-health.org/public/application/inc/633ae7b367374ccd3db4f4d8

Techstars Accelerators

Techstars accelerators have one goal: to help entrepreneurs succeed. During each three-month program, they surround companies with the best mentors and an unrivaled network of corporate partners, investors, and alumni.  Companies can receive $20K for 6% of company.  Various locations and due dates - https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/

AFRICA-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES

Grindstone Incubator

Must be based in South Africa - incubator will include training, corporate advisory, coaching, mentorship and funding. Specific interventions for each company include a structured gap analysis, understanding of the company value system, building a digital go-to-market strategy, financial modelling, intellectual property assessment, strategic and financial valuation as well as populating a data room - https://grindstonexl.com/

CANADA-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES

Boost Your Business Technology

Grant for up to $15,000 offers support to Canadian-owned small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who want to adopt new digital technologies. https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/152.nsf/eng/00013.html

Downtown Vancouver Storefront Security Grant

Businesses in the Downtown Vancouver catchment are eligible to apply for this funding. Downtown Van will match up to 50% of the cost (max $5,000) incurred to repair and restore damages from criminal activity. - https://www.dtvan.ca/projects/storefrontsecuritygrant/

Google For Startups Accelerator

Google for Startups Accelerator Canada is a 10-week accelerator program for Seed to Series A Canadian technology startups. - https://startup.google.com/accelerator/canada/

Innovators & Entrepreneurs Foundation (IEF) Microgrant Program

The IEF micro-grants exist to support Canadian entrepreneurs and small & medium sized enterprise (SME) owners belonging to racialized and/or equity-deserving communities as they overcome and recover from the various global and regional business disruptions and impacts of recent years. Funding of $5,000. - https://www.ief-fie.ca/the-canie-microgrants/

OPPORTUNITIES ONLY WITHIN THE UNITED STATES

Amazon's Black Business Accelerator

Dedicated to helping build sustainable equity and growth for Black entrepreneurs by enabling their success as sellers. Grow your business with access to financial support, strategic business guidance and mentorship, and marketing and promotional support. - https://sell.amazon.com/programs/black-business-accelerator

Black New Venture Competition

The Black New Venture Competition (BNVC) connects promising early-stage Black founders with resources to develop their ventures into dynamic powerhouses. The competition serves as a launching pad for innovative ventures by providing exposure to capital, mentors, and advisors. Funding up to $200,000. - https://bnvc2023.splashthat.com/

BK-XL Accelerator Program

BK-XL is an early-stage 10-week startup accelerator program for BIPOC founders.  You do not need to be a current New York resident to apply. However, upon acceptance into the BK-XL program, you must be based out of Brooklyn for the duration of the programming.  Investments up to $500,000. - https://visiblehands.smapply.io/prog/bk-xl/?utm_campaign=BKXL_Lightbox&utm_source=bk-xl.com&utm_medium=web

California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC)

The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size, or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on twelve different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region. - https://business.ca.gov/california-competes-tax-credit/

Creative Writing Fellowship

he National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowships program offers $25,000 grants in prose (fiction and creative nonfiction) and poetry to published creative writers that enable the recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement. https://www.arts.gov/grants/creative-writing-fellowships

Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund

The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. The Fellowship Fund does not give money directly to the veteran, but rather to third-party vendors for items the veteran has identified will make a crucial difference in the launch of their farm business. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. - https://farmvetco.org/fvfellowship/

Feed The Soul Foundation Grant

Grant to aid marginalized professionals in the culinary industry who identify as Black and Latinx. Applicant must own a culinary business with at least 4 employees. Grants for $10,000. - https://feedthesoul.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6gPK0ODLAxlJQRE

FemHealth Accelerator Grant

Applicants should be early-stage women-owned companies in the FemHealth space building technology-enabled products and solutions that drastically improve women’s health and wellness.  Grants for $10,000. - https://www.stitchcrew.com/femhealth-accelerator

Freed Fellowship

Every month, one $500 grant is awarded to an underrepresented founder in the US to invest in their existing business. No strings attached. No equity required. Grant recipients are also eligible to receive an additional end-of-year grant of $2,500. https://www.freedfellowship.com/grant1

Fruit Guys Community Fund Grant

The applicant farm must be an established working farm with at least 1 year of experience that is looking to improve operations. Projects should help small farms and orchards operate more environmentally and economically, as well as strengthen community outreach. Funding up to $5000. - https://fruitguyscommunityfund.org/apply/

Halstead Grant (Jewelry)

Halstead Grant is an annual award for emerging silver jewelry artists. Applicants submit answers to 15 business questions in addition to their design portfolios. The experience is designed to help jewelry entrepreneurs create a strategy to kick-start their careers. Grant for $7,500. - https://grant.halsteadbead.com/

Hello Alice Grants For Your Small Business

Small Business Growth Fund provides the capital high-growth small business owners need to make their next big move. Each recipient will receive a $25,000 grant, provided by Mastercard, to accelerate their growth and achieve their goals. - https://helloalice.com/yosb/owners

Juntos Crecemos Hispanic Digital & Delivery Program (PepsiCo)

PepsiCo is inviting Latina entrepreneurs who work in food service to apply for eight weeks of personalized expert consultation, including best practices across operations, technology, marketing and digital presence. https://pepsicojuntoscrecemos.com/jefaowned/

Kinetic Black Business Support Fund

Must be a black-owned small business in the state of GA, Charlotte, NC or Lexington, KY and receiving broadband internet Services from Windstream.  Grants for $2,500 - https://business.windstream.com/bbsf#

Mazuma Small Business Grant

Mazuma will select finalists to feature on their website and social media. They will then open the vote to the public to help decide which finalist wins the $10,000 grand prize. They will also provide a $1,000 prize for two additional business owners. - https://mazumausa.com/contest/

Novae Grants Database

Novae Grants database are intended for small businesses with 6-100 employees, though some are also intended for larger businesses and sole proprietor startups - https://grants.novaegrants.com/

Rev Summer Prototyping Hardware Accelerator

The Rev Summer Prototyping Hardware Accelerator is open to anyone with an idea for a product and a passion for entrepreneurship. The program is free and open to the public, and teams do not need to have a legally-formed LLC to participate. The classic track supports product ideas across all industries, and the AgTech and CleanTech tracks offer startups the chance to work with a like-minded cohort and learn from industry experts.  Stipends from $2000-$10,000 are available. - https://www.revithaca.com/prototyping-hardware-accelerator/

Small Business Growth Fund (Hello Alice)

The Small Business Growth Fund provides the capital high-growth small business owners need to make their next big move. Each recipient will receive a $25,000 grant, provided by Mastercard, to accelerate their growth and achieve their goals.  - https://helloalice.com/yosb/owners?utm_campaign=sbgf_r4_22&utm_source=hello%20alice%20social&utm_medium=social

SPUR (Shared Purpose, Unlimited Reach) Pathways

Through an integrated and collaborative approach, Macy’s, Inc. and Momentus will provide access to a range of capital options from microloans to growth capital to equity investments. This represents a commitment to underrepresented businesses and aims to galvanize the retail industry to invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs - https://www.macysinc.com/purpose/spurpathways

Square Black Equity Grant

This program will provide Black-led platform partners with both financial support as well as increased exposure and visibility. Company must have been founded by or have a current CEO who identifies as Black/African American. Company must be US based and its platform must be publicly launched and have at least 5 customers. Funding up to $15,000 - https://squareup.com/us/en/campaign/black-equity-grant-program

Start Small Think Big

A nonprofit that helps small businesses with high potential and limited access to the resources needed to create thriving businesses. They partner with small business owners, providing personalized business support and building connections with local communities.  If you are interested in being considered as a “client” for free services, you can fill out this form https://partner.startsmallthinkbig.org/bofainstitute (for English) or https://partner.startsmallthinkbig.org/bofainstitute-esp (for Spanish)  They also offer free webinars (in Eng and Span).  See this link for their upcoming events: https://www.startsmallthinkbig.org/events-for-small-businesses

StitchCrew FemHealth Accelerator

Accelerator is seeking early-stage women-owned companies in the FemHealth space building technology-enabled products and solutions that drastically improve women’s health and wellness. Funding of $10,000. - https://www.stitchcrew.com/femhealth-accelerator

Truist NonProfit Grant

The Truist Foundation supports nonprofits with grants that target leadership development, economic mobility, thriving communities and educational equity. https://www.truist.com/purpose/truist-foundation/grant-application

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready (for Hispanic-owned businesses)

To be eligible for the grant, qualified applicants must be a 51 percent Hispanic-owned small business and complete, in any combination, at least two courses, coaching events, or community events. Grants for $10,000. https://www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/digital-inclusion/small-business-training

Veterans Business Outreach Center

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program offers resources to veterans who are interested in starting or growing a small business. There are 22 locations (soon expanding to 35) and they offer workshops, training, counseling, and mentorship opportunities. https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/veterans-business-outreach-center-vboc-program

Wish Local Empowerment Program

You must be a Black-owned business with a brick-and-mortar shop within the United States and less than 20 employees. If selected for the program, you must join Wish Local (which is free). Grants for up to $2000 - https://www.wish.com/local/empowerment

Young Farmer Grant Program

National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) has partnered with Chipotle to support young and beginning farmers and ranchers start up and grow their businesses with a flexible funding opportunity each spring.  Must be under the age of 40. Grants for $7,500.  https://www.youngfarmers.org/youngfarmergrants/

Zen Business

For a limited time, Zen Business is giving every mom in America the ability to start an LLC for free. - https://www.zenbusiness.com/moms/

STATE-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES

Arkansas

California

  • California Dream Fund - To apply for the grant, the program first requires eligible startups to participate in a no-cost business startup program that combines helpful startup training workshops with one-on-one consulting services. Upon successful completion of the program, eligible participants will be given a link to apply for grant funding up to $10,000. - https://calosba.ca.gov/funding-grants-incentives/california-dream-fund-program/

  • Carson, CA Small Business and Commercial Improvement Grants - Small Business Grant Program will provide grants of $5,000 to $25,000 for businesses impacted by the pandemic, while the Commercial Facade Improvement Program will offer a dollar-for-dollar matching grant to encourage businesses to make aesthetic improvements to their storefronts. Businesses must be located in Carson and have 50 employees or fewer. - https://ci.carson.ca.us/communitydevelopment/SBGProgram.aspx

  • Lake County, CA Microgrant Program - Must be physically located in Lake County and have <5 full-time equivalent employees. Grants for $2,500 on a first come, first served basis - https://www.lakecountycaedc.org/grants/

  • Oakland Facade and Tenant Improvement Program - The Facade and Tenant Improvement Programs (FTIP) are designed to support investment for commercial retail buildings with storefront businesses in the city of Oakland.  Grants for up to $75,000. - http://www.oaklandca.gov/ftip

  • Orange County Microbusiness Grants - Business must have less than $50,000 in revenue and 5 or fewer employees and be located in Orange County. Funding of $2,500. - https://www.oconestop.com/orange-county-microbusiness-grants

  • San Bernardino County Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant - Must be a business located within the San Bernardino County boundaries with 5 or less employees. Grants for $2,500 - https://www.selectsbcounty.com/major-initiatives/microbusiness-covid-19-relief-grant

  • San Francisco Vandalism Relief Grant - Business must have a storefront that was damaged after July 1, 2020 and business must have less than $8M in revenue.  Grants for $2,000 - https://sf.gov/get-grant-vandalism-related-costs-your-small-business-storefront

  • San José Access SBDC Small Business Rent Relief Grant Program - The City of San José is providing grant funding of up to $15,000 to support small businesses with outstanding rent and utility debts related to Covid-19. - https://www.accesssbdc.org/sjrr22

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

  • Site Readiness Fund - The Site Readiness Fund provides grants, loans or other economic assistance to qualified businesses or local governments based in Delaware that invest in constructing, renovating, or improving commercial, industrial sites that are readily available to businesses - https://business.delaware.gov/site-readiness-fund/

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

  • Chicago Job Creators Grant - Must be located in the state of Illinois and have a current staff of 2-20 employees. Will have the ability to add 1-2+ net new premium wage jobs in the next 12 months. Your company must be a service-based business and at least one revenue stream serving other businesses. Must be a for-profit company with annual revenues between $100K and $3 million. Grants for $100,000. - https://foundersfirstcdc.org/chicago/

  • Climate Infrastructure Fund - Applicants may be Chicago non-profit organizations and small businesses, with priority given to projects located in environmental justice communities. Prioritization will be given to projects with documented climate mitigation and resiliency improvements, equity impacts and project readiness. Funding up to $250,000. - https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/dpd-recovery-plan/home/climate-infrastructure-fund.html

  • Danville, IL Small Business Grant - Businesses must be restaurants which prepare and sell food either for on-premise or off-premise consumption or have been deemed by the State of Illinois as a “non-essential” business which was required to “cease all activities except for minimum basic operations”. Must have a commercial business location within the City of Danville (home-based businesses are ineligible).  Grants for $10,000. - https://www.cityofdanville.org/government/community-development/cdbg-covid-19-small-business-assistance-grant

  • Gurnee, IL Small Business Grant - The village of Gurnee, Illinois launched a small business grant program last month. Grants can be used to improve business facilities and each business must provide at least half of the capital (match) for each project. Grants up to $10,000 - https://www.gurnee.il.us/business/small-business-capital-investment-grant-program

  • Schaumburg Small Business Grants - The Village of Schaumburg has allocated $245,000 to provide grants of up to $30,000 to small businesses defined as having 50 or fewer employees. Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis until grant funds are expended. https://centerofconcern.org/schaumburg-small-business-grants/

  • Small Business Improvement Fund – Chicago - Grants for permanent building improvements and repairs. Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development facilitates the program. Local businesses can apply for grants that cover between 30 percent and 90 percent of their remodeling or building costs.  Funding up to $250,000. Different application deadlines based on location in Chicago. - https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/small-business-improvement-fund/home.html

Kansas

  • HERImpact Kansas City Pitch Competition - Women business owners and social entrepreneurs in Kansas City are encouraged to compete this spring in a Shark Tank-style funding event aimed at investing in women’s ambitions to start and scale local businesses. This competition is for women social entrepreneurs in the Kansas City metropolitan area (i.e., the 14 counties straddling Missouri and Kansas). The total prize pool of $50,000 will be split among the winning contestants. - https://1863.smapply.io/prog/herimpact_kc_pitch_2022/

Louisiana

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

  • Small Business Growth Activator - Washtenaw County - Your business must have been open and operating in Washtenaw County as of March 16, 2020 and have fewer than 5 employees. Eligible businesses may receive additional website, bookkeeping, and marketing support valued up to $2,500. Grants of $5,000 - https://www.washtenaw.org/3710/Small-Business-Growth-Activator

Minnesota

Missouri

New Hampshire

  • Coos Economic Development Corporation Grant - For small businesses in Coos County: Berlin, Colebrook, Gorham, Lancaster, and Whitefield. Grant awardees will receive up to $5,000 towards storefront rent for 3-months, insurance, utilities, signage, and other reasonable expenses. - https://www.coosedc.org/blogcontent/popupgrant

  • Manchester Small Business Grant and Program Assistance - Support small businesses based in Manchester, NH with fixed business costs, including rent, utilities, and payroll, accrued during the pandemic, costs associated with transitioning to e-commerce business platforms, outdoor space upgrades, and other technical assistance needs.  Grants up to $10,000 -https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Planning-and-Comm-Dev/American-Rescue-Plan-Act

New Jersey

  • Small Business Improvement Grant - All creditworthy, small, minority-owned or women-owned businesses in New Jersey may apply for assistance under the Small Business Improvement Grant. Businesses may be reimbursed for capital improvements, or purchase and/or installation of new furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Grants up to $50,000 - https://www.njeda.com/smallbusinessservices/

New Mexico

New York

  • Empire State Development Corp.’s COVID-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program - Individual businesses can apply for tax credits of up to $25,000, which may cover up to half of qualified, pandemic-related expenses. Qualifying expenses include supplies or upgrades related to health and safety, including disinfectants, new HVAC equipment, touchless kiosks, and outdoor-space expansions. - https://esd.ny.gov/covid-19-capital-costs-tax-credit

  • Hope4Heroes - Military veteran’s program specifically designed to mentor and provide support for small veteran-owned businesses in New York’s Bronx County. Must be a veteran with an honorable character of service & must currently own and operate a small business in Bronx County, New York.  Award is one year of financial mentorship - https://militarywarriors.org/hope4heroes/

  • Oyster Bay Forward Grant Program - Grant Program is open to businesses that employ up to 50 full-time equivalent employees as well as sole proprietors. Open to for-profit and non-profits. Grants for $5,000 - https://ndc.smapply.io/prog/oyster_bay_forward/

  • Rockland County Grants - Grant opportunities for restaurants and small businesses located in Rockland County up to $25,000 - https://rocklandgov.com/departments/county-executive/reviving-and-rebuilding-rockland/grants/

  • Seed Funding Grant Program - The New York State Seed Funding Grant Program was created to provide assistance to early-stage small businesses to succeed in a recovering New York State economy. Must be incorporated in New York State or licensed or registered to do business in New York State and have less than $1MM in revenue. Grants up to $25,000 - https://nyseedgrant.com/

  • Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Small Business Grant – Grants of $5000 available to small businesses in St. George, Tompkinsville and Stapleton. - https://www.sichamber.com/driapplication

North Carolina

  • Creative Renewal Fellowship - Creative Renewal Fellowship is intended to provide a structured period of rest and creative exploration for vocational artists. Funds may be used for travel, housing, and/or the equipment necessary to conduct proposed activities. Applicants should have 10+ years of pursuing a career in their discipline and be residents of Mecklenburg County for three years at the time of application.  Funding of $15,000. - https://artsandscience.org/creative-renewal-fellowship

  • Venture Connect - Venture Connect offers companies the unique opportunity to present their scaling plans to a national audience of investors as well as potential future partners, customers and employees. Selected companies will pitch live on multiple stages, sharing their company goals to gain visibility and potential financial backing while waving the flag for great innovation coming out of this region. - https://cednc.org/venture-connect

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

  • NEMIC Accelerator Program - The program is an intensive, 6-month, business accelerator geared towards Medical Technology (Med Tech) and Digital Health solutions. Free for Rhode Island residents. Funding up to $20,000 -https://nemicfoundation.com/nemic-accelerator-program-1

South Carolina

Texas

Virginia

Washington, D.C.

  • DC Bridge Fund 3.0 - Must be a brick and mortar for-profit business within Washington, DC. Funding up to $45,000. - https://dmped.dc.gov/page/bridge-fund-

  • Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund - Supports District-based equity impact enterprises - An equity impact enterprise is a DC resident-owned, small business that is at least 51% owned by an individual who is economically disadvantaged or subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias. Businesses that will receive funding should have less than $2,000,000 in annual revenues. Finally, to be eligible, the applicant must certify in writing that the business is unable to obtain conventional financing. - https://1863.smapply.io/prog/iieif_2022/

Washington (state)