Over $50 billion in government grants is available to small businesses annually in the United States. Add private foundation and corporate grants, and the total accessible capital pool is even larger. Yet most business owners have never applied for a grant because they don't know where to start.
This hub is your starting point. It covers the major grant categories, links to demographic-specific programs, and explains how to find and apply for grants that match your situation.
$50 billion in government grants for small businesses is available annually. Less than 3% of eligible businesses apply. The biggest barrier is awareness, not competition.
This guide is organized to help you find the right programs quickly. Use the links below to go directly to your demographic category, or read the general grants section if you're looking for programs open to all businesses.
| Demographic | Key Programs | Max Award |
|---|---|---|
| Women-Owned Businesses | Amber Grant, IFundWomen, Cartier | Up to €100K |
| Veterans & Military | StreetShares, Hivers & Strivers | Up to $250K |
| Black-Owned Businesses | Fearless Fund, Hello Alice, SBA 8(a) | Up to $150K |
| Latino & Hispanic | USHCC, LBAN, Camino Financial | Up to $50K |
| Immigrants & New Americans | Welcoming Center, ICA Fund, IRC | Up to $50K |
| Disabled Entrepreneurs | JAN, NIDILRR, AbilityOne, VR programs | Varies by state |
SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research): Up to $1.75 million for tech and science-based businesses. Highly competitive but transformative for qualifying businesses. Applications at sbir.gov.
USDA Rural Business Development Grants: For rural businesses creating jobs. Awards range from $10,000 to $500,000. No specific demographic requirements. Applications through local USDA Rural Development offices.
State Economic Development Grants: Every state has programs that support small businesses creating jobs. Search "[your state] + small business grant + economic development" to find current programs. Awards typically range from $5,000 to $100,000.
FedEx Small Business Grant: Annual competition open to all U.S. small businesses. Top prize: $50,000. Strong brand recognition, which increases applicant quality but also overall competition.
NASE Growth Grants: National Association for the Self-Employed offers $4,000 grants to members. Membership costs $120/year — making the ROI excellent for qualifying businesses.
Step 1: Check grants.gov — the federal government's centralized database of all federal grants. Filter by your NAICS code (industry) and eligibility type.
Step 2: Check your state's economic development agency. Most states maintain their own small business grant databases, separate from federal programs.
Step 3: Check your SBDC (Small Business Development Center). Free advisors who know every current local, state, and federal program your business might qualify for. Find yours at americassbdc.org.
Step 4: Check demographic-specific programs using the links in the table above.
Read the entire eligibility section before starting any application. Don't spend 10 hours on an application you're not eligible for. Answer every question completely. Incomplete applications are disqualified immediately. Use data and specifics. "Our business serves 250 customers per month and will create 3 jobs with this funding" beats "our business helps many people." Show community impact. Most grants prioritize businesses that create jobs or serve underserved populations. Quantify your impact explicitly.
"I applied to 12 grants last year. Won 3 totaling $47,500. The key was treating each application like a job application — personalized, complete, and specific to what that particular grant valued." — Restaurant owner, Baltimore MD
Find out which grant programs you qualify for based on your business type, location, and demographics.
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