DISTRICT BRIDGES · Rolling / Open Foundation
Latino Small Business Capital Access Program (CAP) Funder: District Bridges in partnership with the Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA) Geographic Scope: Washington, DC Focus Areas: - Capital…
Small Business Grants
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.
986 grants
Foundation
Updated daily
$30,000 - $135,000
LAKE CHAMPLAIN REGIONAL CHAMBER · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation
LaunchVT Pitch Competition Program Type: Early-stage business acceleration and pitch competition Geographic Scope: Vermont Award Amount: - First prize: $30,000 cash - Vermont EPSCoR Innovation…
$500 - $2,000
GREATER RALEIGH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE · June 5, 2026 · Annual Foundation
Leadership Raleigh - John Freehafer Scholarship Fund Program Type: Partial scholarship fund Geographic Scope: Greater Raleigh and Triangle region, North Carolina Focus Areas: Leadership development…
$10,000 per business
EAST COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT · Rolling / Open Foundation
LEAP Program (La Mesa Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program) Status: Application currently closed Overview: The La Mesa Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (LEAP) is a partnership between the City of…
Varies
Van Ness Group Inc · Rolling / Open Foundation
LEDC Growth Loans Overview: LEDC is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing alternative financing to help build and grow local businesses. Type: Alternative…
Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Chicago Lawyers Committee · Rolling / Open Foundation
Legal Assistance For Nonprofits Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Inc. Amount: Unspecified amount in in-kind support Last Updated: February 26, 2025…
Central Michigan University · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation
Lift ME - All-Black Business Accelerator Program Status: Active; applications opened February 28, 2023 Geographic Scope: Saginaw County, Michigan Program Purpose: L evel the playing field, I ncrease…
GALLATIN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION DBA · Rolling / Open · Semi-annual Foundation
Link Up Business Accelerator for Women Overview: A three-month intensive training program for women entrepreneurs designed for community building, business education, and group accountability.…
Van Ness Group Inc · Rolling / Open Foundation
LISC Small Business Seeking Financing Ready Series Overview: Program from LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) referenced by Van Ness Main Street to help small businesses seeking financing.…
$5,000 - $15,000
UNITED STATES HISPANIC CHAMBER OF · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation
Local Chamber Grant Program Funder: United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) in partnership with Wells Fargo Overview: The USHCC has partnered with Wells Fargo to provide substantial…
BERKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL VENTURES INC · Rolling / Open Foundation
Local Meat Processing Support Program Purpose: Aims to improve processing bottlenecks for livestock farmers in the Berkshire-Taconic Region, supporting livestock producer viability and the…
DISTRICT BRIDGES · Rolling / Open Foundation
Logan Circle Main Street Small Business Grants Funder: District Bridges (Logan Circle Main Street program) Geographic Scope: Logan Circle area, Washington, DC (14th Street corridor and surrounding…
DISTRICT BRIDGES · Rolling / Open Foundation
Lower Georgia Avenue Main Street Small Business Grants Funder: District Bridges (Lower Georgia Avenue Main Street program) Geographic Scope: Lower Georgia Avenue area, Washington, DC (Georgia Avenue…
$10,000 - $25,000
TOLEDO AREA CHAMBER FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation
Lucas County Small Business Stabilization Grant Status: Application portal has been closed. Applications previously submitted are being reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Funder: Toledo…
Varies
ILLINOIS MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE CENTER · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation
Made in Illinois Status: The 2025 application window has closed Geographic Scope: Illinois Focus Areas: Manufacturing and Illinois manufacturers Overview: A grant or funding program supporting…
Up to US $1,000
PARTNERS OF THE AMERICAS INC · Rolling / Open Foundation
Madelyn L. Laschober Endowment Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Partners of the Americas Inc Amount: Up to US $1,000 Last Updated: May 14, 2025 Summary The Madelyn L. Laschober Endowment Fund,…
$30,000
SMALL BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT CENTER · Rolling / Open Foundation
Main Street Initiative Overview: A grant program designed to help small businesses grow and sustain their operations while making positive community impact and supporting retirement savings. Award…
CEDAR SKYLINE CORP DBA MAIN ST WATERL · June 30, 2026 · Annual Foundation
Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant Funder: Main Street Iowa and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Geographic Scope: Eligible Main Street districts in Iowa; Main Street Waterloo can…
CEDAR SKYLINE CORP DBA MAIN ST WATERL · Rolling / Open Foundation
Main Street Iowa Open 4 Business Competition Funder: Main Street Iowa Focus Areas: - Business development - Business expansion Geographic Scope: Main Street districts in Iowa Overview: A competition…
Up to US $100,000
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development · Rolling / Open Foundation
Main Street Matters: Business Improvement Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Amount: Up to US $100,000 Last Updated: August 05, 2025 Summary…
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.
Ready to apply for these grants?
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