General Grant Funding Options
Explore some of the top grant financing opportunities.
Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
Participating in these programs allows businesses owned to access the support and resources necessary to overcome specific challenges and establish successful, thriving companies.
Minority Business Development Agency
The MBDA offers grants for Minority Business Centers across the U.S., providing consulting, procurement support, and financial help for minority-owned businesses. They also have an ongoing grant competition to create an MBDA Virtual Business Center.
USDA Community Connect Grants
The USDA Community Connect Grants support minority-owned businesses expanding broadband in rural areas. Funds can be used for construction, land, and free service to community facilities. Eligible entities include state, local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and for-profit corporations.
SBA Minority-Owed Business Programs
Minority-owned businesses can access SBA's mentorship and guidance programs for support, including counseling, training, and assistance in securing government contracts. Qualification is based on SBA guidelines, where a minority member holds 51% or more of the company's stocks, assets, or equity. Eligible minority groups encompass African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, and Subcontinent Asian Americans.
Opportunity Fund
Opportunity Fund is a non-profit lender who partners with the SBA to facilitate loans so entrepreneurs can create jobs and promote upward mobility.
Their programs include:
-Small business loans of $30,001 to $250,000
-Microloans of up to $30,000
-Commercial vehicle loans of up to $200,000
-Express loans of less than $10,000
-Easy Pay loans of $5,001 to $250,000
-Mobile food truck loans from $2,601 to $100,000
Kiva
Kiva is a global non-profit working to help over 1.7 billion unbanked individuals access financial services. They crowdsource loans to improve financial services' quality and affordability, breaking down barriers to financial access worldwide.
Grants.gov
Grants.gov doesn't exclusively provide grants for minority-owned businesses, it's a valuable resource for finding grants tailored to your industry and eligibility. It offers guidelines, application details, and deadlines for over 1,000 small business grants.
Women-Owned Business Grants
Explore some of the top grant financing opportunities for women-owned businesses.
Incubators, Accelerators, Consultants, & Training for Women Entrepreneurs
Business incubators and accelerators are programs designed to support the growth and success of early-stage businesses. They provide entrepreneurs with resources such as mentorship, networking opportunities, and funding, and can be particularly valuable for women-owned businesses that face unique challenges in the business world.
Access to Funding
Incubators and accelerators provide financial support like seed funding, venture capital, and more.
Mentorship & Guidance
Incubators and accelerators offer experienced mentors to guide women entrepreneurs in business growth.
Networking Opportunities
Incubators and accelerators offer valuable networking to connect women entrepreneurs with partners, customers, and investors.
Educational Resource
Programs provide resources and training for women entrepreneurs to build essential business skills they need to succeed.
Current Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs
By participating in these programs, women-owned businesses can gain the support and resources they need to overcome the unique challenges they face and build successful, thriving companies.
SBA Funded Women’s Small Business Centers & Accelerator
The SBA sponsors thousands of Women Business Centers (WBCs) in every state and tributary across the US. They provide free, to low-cost counseling and training and focus on women who want to start, grow, and expand their small business.
Women’s Small Business Accelerator (WSBA)
A nonprofit accelerator created by accomplished women entrepreneurs for fellow women entrepreneurs. They offer education, peer support, mentoring, and accountability for women looking to launch and expand their businesses. The programs include "The Inspired Entrepreneur" 20-week course, "Power Circles" roundtables, and "Mentor Match" mentoring.
Asian Women Giving Circle (AWGC) Grants
The AWGC offers grants to NYC-based Asian American women-led groups and artists promoting social change through arts and culture. They focus on issues affecting Asian American women and typically grant five to eight projects annually, with amounts reaching up to $15,000.
iFundWomen
Describe how the courses can help a specific student based on their level of expertise on the subject. Describe how the courses can help them move to the next level.
WomensNet - Amber Grant
WomensNet proudly gives away a minimum of $30,000 in Amber Grant money each month. The deadline is the last day of the month, with winners announced by the 28th of the following month.
Minority Business Grants
Exploring Grant Resources and Opportunities to Foster Minority Business Growth
Inclusive Funding Solutions
Participation in these programs offers minority-owned businesses the critical support and essential resources required to address the distinctive obstacles they encounter, fostering the growth of prosperous and resilient enterprises.
The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants Program
Get $4,000 to boost your business! Apply for an NASE Growth Grant today. If you're a member, log in and follow the instructions for a chance to receive up to $4,000 for your small business. Use the grant for marketing, hiring, and more. Don't miss out – you could be the next recipient!
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBTT)
SBIR and STTR programs fund diverse startups to drive tech innovation, meet Federal research and development (R&D) needs, and boost commercialization. They support innovation and entrepreneurship for all, including women, people of color, people with disabilities, and those in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Rural Business Development Grants
This program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue.
USDA Community Connect Grants
The Community Connect program helps rural communities extend access where broadband service is least likely to be commercially available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for people and businesses. The projects funded by these grants help rural residents tap into the enormous potential of the Internet for jobs, education, healthcare, public safety, and community development.
USDA Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program
This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.
Tribal Energy Development Capacity Grant Program
Every year, The Division of Energy and Mineral Development provides the opportunity for Tribes to receive financial assistance to establish the legal framework for developing and regulating their energy resources.
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
Click the button to view the MBDA Grant Application in 5 simple steps!
First Nations Development Institute Grants
Grantmaking program provides both financial and technical resources to tribes and Native nonprofit organizations to support asset-based development efforts.
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
SBA partners with federal agencies to promote maximum utilization of 8(a) program participants to ensure equitable access to contracting opportunities in the federal marketplace. Once certified, 8(a) program participants are eligible to receive federal contracting preferences and receive training and technical assistance designed to strengthen their ability to compete effectively in the American economy.
Asian Women Giving Circle Grants
The Asian Women Giving Circle is a dedicated, all-volunteer group of Asian American women based in New York City. They are passionate about harnessing the transformative potential of arts and culture to promote a fair and just society. Together, they combine their resources to fund projects led by Asian American women artists and community groups. They take risks by investing in emerging and innovative change-makers. Grounded in their community, they constantly learn and innovate, firmly believing that funding can be a powerful form of activism.
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
Since 2012, the FedEx Small Business Grant has awarded U.S. based small businesses with grants to be applied towards growing or enhancing their business. Click the link to learn more!
