Female business owner in restaurant
There are many grant programs bachelor to small businesses, depending on a variety of qualifying factors. — Getty Images/ljubaphoto

Times are tough for minor business organization, but aid is available, from both the government—federal, state or local—and the individual sector. It may be in the form of a grant, a loan or a leg up competing in a difficult business surroundings. Hither's a breakup to help you sort through what'south bachelor.

Federal stimulus assist

Businesses of all sizes have been negatively impacted past the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Some are just getting started, while others take had to rethink their business model. President Biden'due south recently enacted coronavirus stimulus bill is designed to help, providing $one.nine trillion in assist to businesses and individuals. The nib includes assist in the form of tax credits, loans and grants.

[Read: Modest Business Update: More on PPP Loans and the Employee Retentivity Tax Credit]

Government grants

Begin your search for a grant from the federal authorities at Grants.gov. This government site offers the most comprehensive database of funds the regime is going to give away. In that location are thousands of grants to apply for, with opportunities for companies from all backgrounds.

Keep in mind that not all assistance flows directly from the federal government to pocket-size business. Some funds are distributed to land and local governments and agencies, nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher learning. These entities, in turn, distribute the funds, or use them to provide technical or educational help on a local level.

In addition to the programs listed here, be sure to check with your land and local governments and utilise the resources listed below. When searching through grant and contracting options, annotation that you may qualify for more than one plan.

As illustrated by the post-obit sampling of grants, the assistance available to you from the government will vary, depending on your specific situation.

  • Farmers Market Promotion Program: The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) from the USDA aims to assistance increment the number of straight producer-to-consumer products and marketplaces. FMPP hopes to assist farmers of all kinds receive training and technical assist, in addition to supporting their growth and expansion. Applicants must meet the requirements every bit specified on the plan's website and submit their awarding by May sixteen.
  • MUREP Minor Business organisation Engineering science Transfer Research (G-STTR) Planning Grants: Small Business Innovation Research/Minor Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) are well-known, highly competitive grant-based programs supported by government funding. While they help many small businesses receive the funding they need for special inquiry projects, there are many eligibility requirements that may exclude sure businesses from applying. The Minority University Inquiry and Education Project (MUREP)-Small-scale Business concern Technology Transfer (M-STTR) Enquiry Planning Grant provides the opportunity for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to receive funding to set them for NASA's annual Small Business Innovation Inquiry/Small Business organization Engineering Transfer (SBIR/STTR) solicitation. Requirements for the application are listed on the grant announcement, and applications are due May 23.
  • National Found of Health Grants. The National Institute of Wellness (NIH) is currently funding grant opportunities related to COVID-19 research. These grants are reserved for small businesses that develop and inquiry biomedical engineering science. There are multiple grants available with deadlines throughout 2021 and across.
  • NIDILRR's SBIR program. The SBIR programme aims to support organizations to assist advance technology, enquiry, and support the social/economic benefits for the nation. The SBIR volition be backing the National Institute on Disability, Contained Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) through the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to provide 10 grants that support the improvement of the lives of those with disabilities. The total grant funding is estimated to be $one million, and an outline of the available grants under this programme tin exist found at the ACL website.
  • Modest Business organization Innovation Research Program (SBIR). The SBIR offers grants to small businesses and so they tin can participate in federal research and development with the potential for commercialization. Information technology's a highly competitive awards-based program that helps businesses attain scientific excellence and technological innovation. To qualify for SBIR grants, y'all must operate a for-profit company and satisfy other requirements.
  • Small Business Technology Transfer Programme (STTR). Similar to SBIR, the STTR program focuses on funding research in the R&D arena. However, what separates the STTR is the requirement that the small business organization have a formal collaboration with a inquiry institution. To qualify for STTR grants, you must operate a for-profit company and satisfy other requirements.
  • Small Business Transition Grant for Early on Career Scientists: Both academia and small businesses assist stimulate the U.s. economy and produce products or services that benefit the US population. The NIH aims to support both industries while acknowledging there are often issues that arise when transitioning engineering and products from academic laboratories to a pocket-size business organisation setting. The Small Business organisation Transition Grant for Early Career Scientists provides funding to those making this change to ensure that the best, about experienced teams are hired and the projects have enough resources to successfully launch in a small business setting. Requirements for applicants are detailed in the grant announcement. This grant will be open until August 23.
  • Trade Adjustment Assist For Firms: In the early 2000s, the U.S. Section of Commerce sponsored the Trade Adjustment Assistance For Firms (TAAF) program to help financially assistance manufacturers affected past import competition. Through this program, firms tin qualify for up to $75K in federal match funding to help them financially recover from import competition and full general business decline. The Economic Evolution Administration (EDA) funds local assist centers that are bachelor to help applicative businesses apply and reduce awarding paperwork.
  • U.Southward. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). Targeted grants and loans designed to help minority-owned businesses are offered throughout the year. Minority-owned businesses tin observe information about local MBDA Business organization Centers at MBDA.gov.
  • U.S. Small Business concern Administration State Merchandise Expansion Program (Footstep). Intended to assist modest businesses desiring to export product, this program distributes federal funds through state entities. Small businesses that meet the criteria set by each country can apply the financial assistance to participate in foreign merchandise missions and shows, obtain entry to foreign markets, develop websites and design international marketing products or campaigns.
  • U.S. Economical Development Administration (EDA). The EDA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce offers ongoing funding opportunities for projects that support regional and national economic development. Applicants can employ for a variety of rolling-footing EDA investments that fund projects in construction, non-construction, planning, technical help, research and evaluation, higher education and more than.

Every bit y'all would await, credence of gratuitous money from the government comes with a off-white amount of paperwork. Applying for a grant can be time-consuming and technical. You want to make sure, therefore, that you lot are eligible earlier applying. In addition to the legal and administrative prerequisites, at that place are ongoing reporting and auditing requirements.

Government contract help

The federal authorities spends billions of dollars on goods and services each year. A lot of that coin is spent through a competitive bidding process. Programs have been put in identify to help some small businesses with the process, allowing them a meliorate take a chance to compete for those federal dollars.

  • Service-Disabled Veteran-Endemic Pocket-sized Business Plan. The federal government seeks to accolade at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to such businesses annually, and so this plan helps with coming together that target. This federal contracting plan offers assistance to pocket-size concern owners who are service-disabled veterans. Eligible pocket-size businesses must be over 50% owned/controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans, accept mean solar day-to-twenty-four hour period operations and long-term goals managed by at to the lowest degree 1 service-disabled veteran and have a service-connected disability.
  • Women-Endemic Minor Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program. The federal government seeks to laurels at least five% of federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses annually. Through this SBA plan, the Part of Women's Business Ownership provides support to women entrepreneurs by offer business grooming, counseling, federal contracts and access to credit and capital. Their goal is to offer equal opportunities for all women in business.
  • 8(a) Business Development Plan. The purpose of this plan is to help small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged entities. This is achieved by limiting competition for certain government contracts to businesses participating in the 8(a) concern development program. To participate a business concern must be certified every bit an 8(a) entity.
  • HUBZone Program. This program aids businesses in underutilized business zones by making them more than competitive in regard to some government contracts. Businesses that join the HUBZone plan can compete for set-aside contracts as well as receive preference on others, including a ten% price evaluation preference in open contract competitions.

Natural Resource Sales Assist Programme

In addition to the billions of dollars spent purchasing goods and services, the federal government also sells large amounts of natural resources and surplus belongings. The SBA Natural Resource Sales Assistance Program sets aside a percentage of these goods for behest past modest businesses but. In addition, federal agencies sometimes carve up surplus materials into smaller parcels, making it easier for small businesses to purchase. The five categories are:

  • Timber and related forest products.
  • Strategic materials.
  • Royalty oil.
  • Leases involving rights to minerals, coil, oil and gas.
  • Surplus real and personal property.

The plan as well provides preparation for small businesses on government sales and leasing.

Full general pocket-size business concern grants

There are many nonprofit and corporate entities offering grants and other assistance to small businesses. Here are a few such programs that are open to qualifying small businesses in any manufacture:

  • 500 Global Flagship Accelerator Programme. Startups and modest businesses seeking funding can do so on a rolling, twelvemonth-round basis with the 500 Global Flagship Accelerator program. Since 2010, this plan has offered businesses the opportunity for a 4-month accelerator program based in San Francisco in addition to a $150,000 investment. Rules for applying can be institute on the company's website.
  • 2022 Small Business organisation Growth Fund: Hello Alice started off the new year's day by jubilant the Year of Minor Business and offering funds through its grant program. Round one was so successful that the visitor has decided to launch round two of the Modest Business organization Growth Fund. L pocket-size business owners will receive $five,000 grants and must apply before May twenty at half dozen p.chiliad. ET. Find more than eligibility requirements on the grant announcement page.
  • The Barstool Fund. This grant is for small businesses affected by COVID-19 who kept on many employees during the pandemic and has a proven runway tape of success. Winners are called on a rolling basis; employ today for a hazard to receive funding for your business.
  • Business organization Warrior Small Business Loans. The company Business Warrior understands that information technology can be difficult to go loan approval through a traditional banking method. To assist small-scale businesses get access to capital, Concern Warrior is giving $5 million to minor business owners. They will provide betwixt $v,000 and $50,000 loans without the loftier rates cash advance companies normally charge.
  • Dream Big Awards: Applications are now open for the US Chamber of Commerce'south Dream Big Awards 2022. The Dream Large Awards is an annual plan that recognizes the achievements of small businesses across America that have contributed to the state's economic growth. This year, the winner will exist announced at The Large Week for Small Business and receive a $25,000 cash prize. Eligibility criteria are outlined in the grant announcement and applicants have until Friday, July eight, to submit materials.

  • eBay Upwardly & Running 2022: This year'due south installment of the eBay Upward & Running grant is open for applications until June 10. In partnership with Hello Alice, eBay is relaunching this grant program to support pocket-sized concern ventures by providing more than $500,000 in grants and education resources. More than 50 eBay business sellers will receive a grant parcel of $ten,000, which includes cash, education and coaching provided by eBay, and more. Specific eligibility criteria in regards to existence an eBay seller can exist found on the grant website.

  • GoFundMe Small Business Relief Fund. GoFundMe'south Small Business Relief Fund will friction match $500 grants to qualifying small businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and heighten at least $500 through a GoFundMe entrada. The fund is backed by GoFundMe and corporations like Intuit QuickBooks, Yelp, GoDaddy and Bill.com. Small-scale business organization owners with existing campaigns can add the hashtag #SmallBusinessRelief to their entrada and fill out this grade to confirm their business organisation.
  • Walmart Local Community Grants. Through this small business grant, local organizations can receive funding from Walmart and Sam'due south Club facilities. Grants range from $250 to $five,000. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2021.

Industry-specific and variety modest business organization grants

Some small business grant programs are bars to a specific entrepreneur demographic or business contour and they frequently have an application process that is easier to navigate. This is a sample list, so be sure to check with nonprofits and big corporations in your geographic expanse or industry.

  • Amazon's Black Business Accelerator Programme. If y'all're a seller in Amazon's store, you lot may be eligible for the Black Business Accelerator Programme. Created to support Black entrepreneurs, the program offers financial support, mentorship, business advice, and promotional back up. Eligible sellers will have access to costless imaging services, cash grant opportunities, advert credits and money toward start-up costs. You can acquire more than about this opportunity at their website.
  • Amber Grant Foundation. With a unproblematic goal of supporting women entrepreneurs, the Bister Grant Foundation was founded by WomensNet in 1998. The foundation awards a $x,000 grant each month and an additional $25,000 grant each Dec to women entrepreneurs with a compelling story.
  • AWS Bear on Accelerator: Black Founders: Amazon Spider web Services (AWS) is an Amazon subsidiary that sponsors the widely-pop Impact Accelerator program defended to helping high-potential startups gain admission to education and funding. The AWS Impact Accelerator has specifically committed itself to helping underserved communities. During this circular, Black founders are eligible to utilise, while later this summertime into next yr there will exist separate opportunities for all women, Latino, and LGBTQIA+-identifying founders. Qualifying startups in the Black Founders program volition receive a $125,000 cash grant in addition to $100,000 worth of educational services. Applications are open up until May 13.
  • BIPOC Small Business Grant past Annuity Payment Freedom. This grant by Annuity Payment Liberty was created in response to the touch on of the pandemic on BIPOC-owned businesses. There are both marketing grants to assist drive traffic and micro-grant opportunities. These are awarded to businesses on a rolling basis, with winners announced on the last day of each month.
  • Black Founder Startup Grant. The Black Founder Startup Grant program from the SoGal Foundation and other sponsors provides grants of up to $10,000 to Black and multiracial women and nonbinary entrepreneurs. The program accepts applications on a rolling footing and is open to entrepreneurs with a legally registered business who program to seek investor financing to scale.
  • Upper-case letter One Business Grant. Capital One announced its Majuscule Ane Business grant program this week, which volition aim to support black-owned businesses. In partnership with the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), $ten,000 grants volition exist awarded to black-owned businesses to try and supplement any concern that was lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Comcast Rise. This quarter's awarding for the Comcast Rise grant is open until the grant period ends on June 17. The Comcast Ascension grant provides marketing, media, technology, and creative services to modest businesses majority endemic by women and people of colour. The application is simple and eligibility requirements are outlined on their website.
  • DoorDash's Eating house Disaster Relief Fund: The Spring round of DoorDash's Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund is officially open. The fund was created in response to an increase in damage to small-scale businesses resulting from natural disasters. Co-ordinate to FEMA, nearly 40% of pocket-size businesses are unable to remain open later on a natural disaster occurs. DoorDash's grant tries to combat this in its ongoing $200 million Master Street Potent effort to help restaurants rebuild their businesses. You tin find eligibility requirements and the application on the Hello Alice website.

  • Etsy Emergency Relief Fund: If you're an Etsy business organization owner, you may exist qualified to apply for relief funding courtesy of a partnership with CERF+, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to helping artists set up for and recover from emergencies and disasters. The partnership was established in 2017, and both companies continue to provide up to $2,500 in funding through the grant plan. To apply, you must have been a registered Etsy business for at to the lowest degree one year and accept been affected by a natural disaster. This grant opportunity is rolling.

  • Fast Break For Small-scale Businesses. The pop Fast Intermission for Small Businesses grant program is back for 2022. LegalZoom, the NBA, WNBA, and NBA One thousand League have partnered once once more to assist back up small business concern ventures in underserved and underrepresented communities past providing several $10,000 grants and up to $500 in LegalZoom services. While the grant application isn't open quite yet, it's recommended to add together your proper noun to the email list and apply in one case information technology's open this spring.
  • Fearless Strivers Grant. This year, Mastercard and Fearless Fund are partnering to create the Fearless Strivers Grant, defended to supporting Black women-owned small businesses. According to their website, Blackness women-owned businesses receive less than 1% of venture capital funding, despite the fact that these businesses are big parts of economical growth. To give back to these businesses, the Fearless Strivers Grant will provide eleven minor businesses with $10,000 grants, 1-on-one mentorship and digital tools to aid foster growth. Applications are open through the end of the year, closing on December 31, 2022.
  • Foundation for a Just Lodge Grants. Foundation for a Just Guild offers grants to local, national, regional, and global organizations and networks that back up the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQI individuals. You tin can email the arrangement for more data on specific grants.
  • Go. Be. Elevate Fund. Formerly known every bit the Good Piece of work Network, Go.Be. aims to assistance entrepreneurs and small business owners with a focus on various and minority businesses. To continue to support small businesses led by women and people of color, Go.Be. volition grant upwardly to $4,000 toward any projection meant to help grow your small business. To be eligible for this grant, you must exist a Go.Be. client, so caput to their grant page and see if your pocket-sized business fits the criteria for entry.
  • Halstead Jewelry Grant. The Halstead Grant is officially open again for applications for the 2022 grant competition. This grant was created in 2006 for aspiring jewelry creators to have easier access to funding for their minor businesses. The grand prize consists of $7,500 in start-upward capital and $one,000 in merchandise. Check the website for eligibility requirements. Applicants have a big window (until August 2022) to utilise!
  • IFundWomen COVID-19 Relief Fund. IFundWomen launched a COVID-19 Relief Fund that provides community-funded microgrants and free coaching to women-endemic businesses affected by COVID-19. Grants are distributed on a rolling basis. To be considered, women entrepreneurs must start a campaign on IFW.
  • IFundWomen Entrepreneur Of The Yr 2022: Started on National Women's Day (March 8th) and closing in June, this is the largest grant provided by IFundWomen. This annual fund honors women and their small businesses through monetary back up and business concern guidance. This year, the Entrepreneur of the Year will receive a $100,000 disinterestedness investment, plus access to educational resources and other cash grants. The program criteria and eligibility requirements are outlined on the IFundWomen website. Applicants are due past June 8!
  • Jobber Grants Program: Whether yous're in the planning stage for your pocket-sized business thought, merely launched your business organization, or have successfully been in business for iii or more years, this grant is for you. The Jobber Grant Program highlights domicile service businesses in diverse stages of development by providing grants ranging from $ii,500 to $15,000. Home services include those businesses that provide ane-time or recurring maintenance or repair in industries such as landscaping, car detailing, pool maintenance, and more. According to the grant annunciation, applications only take five minutes to complete, and businesses across the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec) are eligible to utilise before the May 26 deadline.

  • Justworks Grant Program: Justworks.org is an Hr software platform for modest businesses committed to supporting minority- and women-endemic businesses by leveling the playing field. The company knows these groups may confront more obstacles to success, such as disparities in opportunity due to socioeconomic status, race, gender, or sexual orientation. To help combat this, Justworks.org will be sponsoring a grant programme that awards five not-turn a profit organizations $50,000 toward their growth and development. Applications are open until May 27, and those interested can apply online.

  • National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants. According to its website, the NASE has distributed over $1,000,000 in grants to its members. Its growth grants provide up to $4,000 to help with training, marketing and more than. You must be a fellow member for 90 days before you are eligible to utilize.

  • Luce Indigenous Cognition Fellowship: 2023: The popular Kickoff Nations fellowship has returned this year with 10 fellowships of $75,000 bachelor to Native knowledge holders. Native knowledge holders play a key role in work that benefits Indigenous people and communities, and this grant supports those who work toward advancing transformative change. The fellowship is a prestigious two-year program designed to help back up the growth and development of Native leaders. Interested applicants have until May 26th to utilise on the Start Nations grant page.

  • Patagonia Corporate Grant Program. Patagonia's corporate grant programme offers betwixt $x,000 and $twenty,000 of funding to nonprofits with missions to protect and preserve the environment. If yous meet the grant requirements, you tin use today.
  • Power Forwards Minor Concern Grant. Black-endemic pocket-sized businesses located beyond New England are eligible for the Ability Forward Minor Business Grant program. Sponsored past the NAACP, Vistaprint and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, eligible businesses with a maximum of 25 employees volition be awarded grants of $25,000 on a rolling basis.
  • Rebuild The Cake: Rebuild The Block was created with the sole purpose of supporting Black entrepreneurs. Through their grant plan and donations, the company provides monetary support to Blackness businesses to help them connect with community members on a larger scale. Their popular grant programme is open up correct now, merely don't wait to apply — the awarding form simply accepts xc applicants per iii-month wheel. To employ, Black-owned businesses must detail how they've been affected by COVID-19 and/or looting destruction. More than requirements can be found on the grant page.
  • SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant. This grant gives Black women or non-binary entrepreneurs the opportunity to receive upwards to $10,000 in a cash grant. SoGal has partnered with several sponsors to create this grant in order to promote and support Black women and those identifying as non-binary having equal opportunities to uppercase for their pocket-size businesses. To utilize, you should have a legally-registered business, cocky-place as a Black adult female or nonbinary entrepreneur, and programme to seek financing now or in the time to come. This borderline is rolling, so the sooner you lot apply, the amend!
  • StartOut Scholarship Program. StartOut offers scholarship opportunities to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who wish to participate in their Founder Program and get a Giving Member. The initiative provides a 12-month membership for those LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who take been underrepresented, underserved and underestimated within their community.
  • Swiftarc Beauty Fund. Swiftarc Ventures, a Venture Capital letter firm, appear this week that they will be funding a $10 meg beauty fund aimed at female-led beauty and wellness start ups. This fund is backed by influential women in the beauty and investment industries and will reward the winner not merely with grant money, but peer-to-peer networking opportunities and mentorship. While Swiftarc Ventures hasn't nonetheless released a borderline for applying, this opportunity should be on your radar!

Additional resource

The programs listed to a higher place are a practiced kickoff when it comes to grants and funding. You may find additional resources bachelor by following the links below.

  • Funding options for minority-owned businesses, including multiple grants, funding sources and depression-cost loans that are intended to assist minority-owned businesses abound.
  • Funding options for women-owned businesses, including x programs, agencies and organizations that are helping women entrepreneurs exist better represented in the ranks of American concern owners.
  • SBA Pocket-sized Concern Development Centers, which tin assistance companies of all kinds locate additional funding opportunities at the national and local level.
  • SCORE, which tin can assign a volunteer concern mentor who can provide guidance on numerous topics, including funding and operations.

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Published May ten, 2022