Economic Opportunity Grants · November 15, 2026 State
Grants for businesses creating new high-paying jobs in rural Utah communities. Quarterly application windows available.
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
Federal/ State/ Foundation
Updated daily
Varies
NORTHEAST ENTREPRENEUR FUND INC · Rolling / Open Foundation
Rural Field to Market Grant Funder: Entrepreneur Fund (Funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation) Overview: Direct support grants for Minnesota farm and food businesses. Geographic Scope: Minnesota Focus…
CENTER ON RURAL INNOVATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation
Rural Innovation Initiative (RII) Status: Active program Overview: The Rural Innovation Initiative is a technical assistance program supporting rural communities working to create digital economy…
Varies
CENTER ON RURAL INNOVATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation
Rural Innovation Network Status: Active community of practice Overview: The Rural Innovation Network is a growing consortium of small towns engaged in building digital economy ecosystems. It…
Up to $20,000 per new business ($40,000 in Just Transition communities); Up to $2,500 per new hire ($5,000 in Just Transition communities)
COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT · Rolling / Open Foundation
Rural Jump-Start Grant Program Funder: Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Geographic Scope: Rural, economically distressed counties in Colorado designated as…
Up to US $25,000
Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade · Rolling / Open Foundation
Rural Jump-Start Program Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade Amount: Up to US $25,000 Last Updated: October 21, 2025 Summary The Rural…
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE · June 30, 2026 State
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program The purpose of RMAP is to support the development and ongoing success of rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises, each as defined in 7 CFR 4280.302.…
$0 - $100,000
Rural Business-Cooperative Service · June 30, 2026 Federal
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program Provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro…
$50,000 - $500,000
Rural Business-Cooperative Service · June 30, 2026 Federal
Rural Microentrepreneur Program(RMAP) Provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to provide microloans for microenterprise startups and growth through a Rural…
$100,000 to $350,000
CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE CERTIFIED · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation
Rural Small Business Loan Program Status: Active ongoing program Geographic Scope: Rural areas in California, Arizona, and Nevada with population less than 50,000 Focus Areas: Small businesses in…
$10,000 - $40,000
GO-EDC FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation
Rural Winnebago Revolving Loan Fund Purpose: A flexible gap financing tool to support small and emerging businesses engaged in job creation and economic development in the rural Winnebago area. Award…
Varies
RUTH MOTT FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation
Overview _NOTE: We strongly encourage you to talk to a program officer before applying._ Mission Working with the community, we connect people, ideas, and resources for a vibrant and inclusive Flint.…
$1,000
HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation
Safety Leadership Award Overview: Presented by Builders Insurance Group and the Home Builders Association of Georgia. The award recognizes a top-tier HBAG member organization that has demonstrated…
Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
State Treasurer's Office · Rolling / Open State
Sales Tax Exclusion (STE) Program CAEATFA supports California's mission to provide financial incentives to cutting-edge companies by offering a sales and use tax exclusion to manufacturers purchasing…
COMMERCE LEXINGTON INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation
Salute to Small Business Awards - Business Success Award Funder: Commerce Lexington Inc., Lexington, Kentucky Program Overview: Commerceision Lexington Inc. has honored small business contributions…
COMMERCE LEXINGTON INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation
Salute to Small Business Awards - Entrepreneur Award Funder: Commerce Lexington Inc., Lexington, Kentucky Program Overview: Commerce Lexington Inc. has honored small business contributions to the…
COMMERCE LEXINGTON INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation
Salute to Small Business Awards - Minority Business Award Funder: Commerce Lexington Inc., Lexington, Kentucky Program Overview: Commerce Lexington Inc. has honored small business contributions to…
MISSION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY · Rolling / Open Foundation
Overview _NOTE: Due to the high number of nominees, we are not accepting applications until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience._ The San Francisco Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund is a…
Up to US $8,000
Center for Cultural Innovation · Rolling / Open Foundation
San José Creative Economy Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: The Center For Cultural Innovation Amount: Up to US $8,000 Last Updated: May 12, 2025 Summary The San José Creative Economy Fund provides…
Varies; distributed to nonprofit organizations and small businesses
CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation
Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund Overview: Emergency relief fund activated ahead of major hurricanes to support recovery and rebuild efforts on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Program Status: - Activated:…
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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