Small Business Grants in Maryland
Last updated October 27, 2026
There are 45 active small business grants tagged to Maryland. Updated daily.
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| ★ | Grant |
|---|---|
| Maryland Small Business Development Center - Eastern Region Salisbury University Salisbury University · State Not published · Varies To provide assistance to small businesses being established on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. | |
| Neil Muldrow Business Development Fund Central Baltimore Partnership Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Neil Muldrow Business Development Fund, run by Central Baltimore Partnership, aids small businesses that wish to locate or expand in Central Baltimore. | |
| Foreign Trade Shows Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies Subsidized space to a limited number of qualified Maryland companies at overseas trade shows. | |
| Belair-Edison Facade Improvement Program Belair-Edison Neighborhoods Inc · Foundation Rolling · Up to $10K Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, Inc. (BENI), a Baltimore Main Streets partner organization, offers a Facade Improvement Program under which a Belair-Edison Main Street merchant can receive a matching grant up to $10,000 for aesthetic… | |
| Maryland Economic Adjustment Fund (MEAF) Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies MEAF assists business entities in the state to upgrade or modernize operations, develop or expand commercial applications for technology or enter into and compete in new or different markets. | |
| Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Program Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs · State Not published · Varies Procurement program to enhance opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses to perform on state-funded contracts. | |
| Maryland New Start Microloan Program Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies The New Start Microloan Program provides no-interest loans to covered individuals for the purpose of starting a small business. | |
| Neighborhood BusinessWorks Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development · State Not published · Varies The Neighborhood BusinessWorks loan program provides financing to new or expanding small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Priority Funding Areas and Sustainable Communities throughout the state. | |
| Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority (MSBDFA) Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies MSBDFA promotes the expansion of businesses owned by economically and socially disadvantaged entrepreneurs that do not meet established credit criteria of financial institutions and are unable to obtain adequate business financing on… | |
| Maryland Business Enterprise Program for the Blind State Department of Education · State Not published · Varies The purpose of this program is to provide business opportunities on federal, state, county and private properties to Marylanders who are legally blind. | |
| Maryland Offshore Wind Supply Chain Investment Program Maryland Energy Administration · State Not published · Varies This program provides grant funding on a non-competitive basis to support new or existing businesses entering the offshore wind supply chain in Maryland. | |
| Maryland Capital Access Program (MD CAP) Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies The Maryland Capital Access Program (MD CAP) is a financing resource that creates a loan loss reserve to encourage lenders to make loans to small businesses that may otherwise have difficulty qualifying, helping them secure working capital… | |
| Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies The Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 grant program provides grants to small and mid-sized Maryland manufacturers to invest in advanced technologies, automation, and digital tools that improve competitiveness and efficiency. | |
| Microenterprise Loan Program Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development · State Not published · Varies The Maryland Microenterprise Loan Program (MLP) expands opportunities for microenterprise development, creates new opportunities for small business development and sustains local economies in Maryland communities through direct lending to… | |
| Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Account - Video Lottery Terminal Fund (VLT) Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies VLT fund uses proceeds from Maryland’s casinos to assist small, minority, and women-owned businesses. | |
| Partnership for Workforce Quality (PWQ) Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies Provides matching grants to small and mid-sized Maryland companies to support employee training and workforce skill development. | |
| Maryland MADE (Manufacturing Assets Deployed for Energy) Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies The Maryland MADE grant program provides grants to small Maryland manufacturers to invest in the adoption and deployment of smart manufacturing and high-performance manufacturing technologies that will increase energy efficiency, reduce… | |
| Bond Financing Maryland Economic Development Corporation · State Not published · Varies MEDCO has the statutory powers to issue non-recourse, taxable or tax-exempt revenue bonds to finance eligible projects. | |
| Small, Minority-Owned Business Sports Wagering Assistance Fund (SWAF) Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies The goal of the Small, Minority-Owned, Women-Owned Business Sports Wagering Assistance Fund (SWAF) is to maximize the opportunity for small businesses to participate in the sports wagering industry. | |
| Child Care Capital Support Revolving Loan Fund Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies The Child Care Capital Support Revolving Loan Fund is a financing resource to provide no-interest loans for capital expenses to child care providers who participate in the State Department of Education's Child Care Scholarship Program. | |
| Creativity Grants for Projects Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies Creativity Grant for Projects strengthen the vitality and sustainability of artists and small organizations and provide opportunities to serve the growing needs of relevant arts projects and collaborations within Maryland communities. |
Showing 25–45 of 45
About small business grants in Maryland
Small business grants provide free funding you never have to repay — unlike loans. Federal agencies, state economic development offices, and private foundations offer grants for everything from startup costs to expansion, research, and hiring. Competition can be stiff, but the payoff is significant: non-dilutive capital with no interest or equity cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are small business grants really free money?
Yes. Unlike loans, grants do not need to be repaid and unlike venture capital, they require no equity. However, most grants come with reporting requirements and must be used for the stated purpose. Some grants reimburse expenses rather than providing upfront cash.
What is the easiest small business grant to get?
Local and state-level grants tend to have less competition than federal programs. Look for community development grants from your city or county, state small business innovation programs, and foundation grants targeted at your specific industry or demographic. Micro-grants under $5,000 often have simpler applications.
Can startups apply for small business grants?
Absolutely. Many grants specifically target early-stage companies. The SBIR and STTR programs fund R&D startups, while foundations and state programs offer startup-specific grants. Some require an existing business entity, while others fund pre-revenue ventures.
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