However, finding viable grants is often one of the biggest challenges faced by small business owners searching for this type of funding. With that in mind, below is a list of some current grant programs to help you get started on your search.
Businesses, associations, foundations, societies and other organizations may offer private grants for starting a business or growing it further. These private grants and awards often come with their own application requirements and are sometimes reserved for certain types of companies or those in specific industries.
$4,000
Not specified
Apply on a rolling basis; applications are reviewed quarterly in April, July, October and January
You must be an NASE member in good standing to apply. The following members may apply immediately upon receiving their membership:
Meanwhile, the following members may apply after 90 days of membership:
You can apply by visiting the NASE grants and scholarships application page.
$20,000
10
Not yet announced
In order to apply for the Venmo small business grant, you must meet the following qualifying criteria:
Once the application opens, you can access it through the Venmo Small Business Grant page.
Up to $25,000
15
Not yet announced
To be eligible to receive grant funds, business owners must:
Once this year’s application goes live, it will be available on the Amazon Small Business Grants website.
$10,000, with some businesses eligible for an additional $30,000
500 awards of $10,000 each, plus 25 additional $30,000 awards
Not yet announced
To qualify for American Express’s Backing Small Business Grant, you must:
While the 2025 application is not yet open, you’ll likely be able to get information on applying on the Backing Small Business Grant page.
Startup businesses often have unique challenges getting funding because some business loans and grants require applicants to have been in business for six months to a year. Fortunately, several small business startup grants are targeted to early-stage companies. Some are open only to specific demographics, so review the eligibility requirements carefully.
$5,000
50
Not yet announced
In order to qualify for the Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
In addition, your company must meet the following criteria:
When the 2025 application cycle opens, information will be posted on the Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program website.
$2,500
Not specified
Not yet announced
Those interested in applying for Bizee’s Fresh Start Business Grant will need to meet eligibility criteria, including:
When applying, applicants must do the following:
$18,000
Not specified, but there were 10 recipients in 2024
Not yet announced
To be considered eligible for the HoneyBook Breakthrough Grant, applicants must:
Interested business owners need to follow these steps to apply:
1. Fill out the initial interest form on the HoneyBook Breakthrough Grant landing page
2. Wait for an email with follow-up questions and a link to the formal application
3. Submit a video or written response that shares your story and details how the grant would impact your business
You may be familiar with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the main agency tasked with helping small business owners find funding. However, there are also many other government small business funding options available, including:
No maximum
Not specified
February 28, 2025
To qualify for one of the USDA’s grants, your organization must:
(Need help navigating the map? Check out our guide on how to use the USDA loan map for more information.)
Get information on how to apply in your state on the USDA grant website.
$50,000 to $275,000
$400,000 to $1.8 million
Not specified
Varies by agency
To qualify for federal funding through America’s Seed Program, your business must:
Read more details about the program’s specific eligibility requirements.
In order to receive funding, you need to apply with applicable participating government agencies. However, the SBA also partners with a number of local organizations that can help you prepare your proposals before you apply.
$75,000 to $400,000
Not specified
Not yet announced
To be considered eligible for PRIME funds, your business must be one of the following:
When the application is posted, information will be made available on PRIME’s Grants.gov webpage.
Just like there are government grants at the federal level, state governments also offer grants for small businesses. These grants are usually available through state agencies, where the competition may be less fierce due to the smaller applicant pool. They can also run across several states, so check the fine print before ruling one out because it seems to be out of your area.
The State Business Incentives Database can be a valuable database for business owners. It has a map feature that allows you to select your state to see the number of grants available, plus find information on tax credits and exemptions.
However, it requires a login that is only available to members of the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). A basic membership, which includes access to the database, costs $380 per year.
Part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the EDA can be an excellent resource for small businesses looking for state grants. The EDA collaborates with communities and regions to drive economic development across the country. It does so by offering grants and working directly with communities so they can encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
The research and work that go into applying for any business grant can be daunting, but an SBDC might be able to help. Business owners can use them to seek free consulting and training on various topics. SBDC consultants can help you find and apply for the right grants for your business.
If you’re already an established business owner and a minority, you might be able to get help connecting with capital, contracts and other new opportunities to expand your business through a regional MBDA center. These centers provide entrepreneurship education for minorities of all backgrounds.
Expanding into international markets can be intimidating to many small business owners, but it can also be one of the best ways to grow some types of small businesses. Another SBA offering, the STEP grant program offers funding to state agencies for educational and financial assistance in helping entrepreneurs go global. You can’t apply for a STEP grant directly since those funds go to state agencies, but you can follow the money to your relevant state agency to find out what support options are available.
Don’t forget to search your state government’s website for small business grants and assistance opportunities. Many operate their own small business funding programs as well. Here are a few examples:
Hardship small business funding can take many forms in addition to grants. You may qualify for subsidized small business emergency loans, for example. Here are some of the top options for grant assistance during times of hardship:
$2,000
Varies based on the amount of financing available at the time of need
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and grants are awarded monthly
To be considered eligible for an Etsy Disaster Relief Grant, you must meet the following criteria:
Interested applicants can apply by filling out the Etsy Disaster Relief Grant application form.
$10,000
Not specified
Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis; the submission period for this quarter ends on March 3, 2025
Eligible restaurateurs will meet the following criteria:
A full list of terms and conditions is available on the Hello Alice website.
You’ll need to complete the following steps to apply:
1. Create a Hello Alice account
2. Complete the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund application
Some small business grants are geared toward certain demographics. Here are a few curated lists of grants that serve specific communities:
The process to get a small business grant is a lot like how to get a business loan. Remember that every grant will vary, so check the requirements before applying. The following is a general step-by-step guide you can follow to get started.
Each small business grant has different requirements that applicants need to meet to be considered for the grant award. Before applying for a grant, check that you meet the basic program requirements, including location, business size, industry and match requirements, if any. Some may even require that you have a membership to a specific organization before applying.
Once you know that your business falls into the right category (or categories) to apply for a grant, you’ll want to gather your documents. A business plan and a cover letter laying out why you’re applying for funds and how you plan to use them will most likely be required. You may also need the following:
Lastly, you need to fill out the actual grant application, which is likely the most time-consuming part of the process. These applications typically require small business owners to answer open-ended questions, and application complexity can vary depending on the granting organization.
You might need to explain why you need the funds, your plan for the money if you win, the background of your business or how your business contributes to your community. These questions can be technical and specific depending on the grant you’re applying for, and they’re an opportunity to make sure your application stands out among the competition.
The main difference between small business grants and small business loans is that loans need to be repaid, while grants generally do not. A small business loan needs to be repaid in the agreed-upon time with the agreed-upon interest rates and can require collateral. Loans usually come from a bank or a specific lender; some institutions, like the SBA, offer both loans and grants. Both types of funding may have rules about how funds can be used.
While loans and grants have stark differences, they can each benefit your business and might be useful during different times of your business’s life cycle. Startup business grants might help new businesses get on their feet, while business loans are typically for larger amounts and can be helpful for scaling your company. Startup businesses may find it difficult to get a loan without at least several months in operation and consistent revenue.
Applying for free grants to start a business or expand your current operation can be time consuming. If you don’t think your odds of getting a small business grant are worth the effort involved, it may be better to focus on other avenues for small business funding instead:
