Table of Contents
This is the fifth installment in a five-part series.
There might not be such a thing as having too many resources when it comes to starting your own business.
Some people concentrate on small business startup loans or finding investors, but an exciting route to explore is grants. Small business grants are funds provided by governments, nonprofits, or private organizations to help businesses grow or launch, and unlike loans, they typically don’t have to be repaid.
We’ve put together a list of grants and funding programs for startups along with some super useful checklists of best practices for you, to help you no matter where you are on your journey.
Key Points
• There are many grants and funding opportunities for startups, including programs for disadvantaged entrepreneurs and industry-specific awards.
• Federal grants are available through the Program for Investors in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME) to assist disadvantaged micro-entrepreneurs.
• Free marketing services and technology makeovers are provided to startups owned by women or people of color through the Comcast RISE program.
• Various grants for small businesses, including startups, are offered through partnerships by the Hello Alice Grant Platform.
• In addition to grants, businesses may be able to rely on small business loans to get the funding they need to launch their business.
Recommended: Small Business Grants: Where to Find Funding
Small Business Grants 2026: The Top 17
What could be more useful than small business loans and grants when you’re turning your idea into reality? These programs offer what could prove a turning point.
1. U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce helps small businesses access funding through a mix of grant programs and support initiatives aimed at economic growth.
2. Minority-Owned Business Loans and Grants
The U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) offers targeted grants and loans designed to aid minority-owned businesses. Owners can find information about the programs at MBDA.gov.
Recommended: Small Business Grants for Minorities
3. Women-Owned SBA Program
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program is a federal government program contracting dollars to women-owned businesses every year. Through this Small Business Administration (SBA) program, women entrepreneurs get business training, counseling, federal contracts, and access to credit and capital.
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4. The Self Employed Growth Grant
The National Association for the Self Employed (NASE) offers growth grants of up to $4,000.
Since 2006, the NASE has awarded nearly $1 million in small business grants. They can be used for marketing, advertising, hiring employees, expanding facilities, and other business needs.
5. Innovation Research and Tech Programs
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant programs focus on research and development for technology innovation and scientific research. The programs help connect small businesses with federal grants and contracts with 11 government agencies.
6. The FedEx Small Business Grant
The FedEx Small Business Grant Contest offered corporate small business grants for growth. The program ran from 2012 through 2024 and has since retired, but entrepreneurs can still learn from their journeys.
7. Amber Grant for Women
Since 1998, the Amber Grant has been giving money to female entrepreneurs monthly. They’ve expanded their grant-giving to include “Marketing Grants” and “Business Category Grants,” as well as two “$25,000 Year End Grants.”
8. Veterans Grant
The Second Service Foundation (formerly StreetShares) offers small business grants for veterans. The Military Entrepreneur Challenge provides financial support to help veterans, military spouses, and Gold Star Family entrepreneurs who lack the financial means to start or grow their small businesses.
Recommended: Small Business Loans and Grants for Veterans
9. Refugees Grant
Provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Microenterprise Development Program helps refugees develop, expand, or maintain their own businesses and become financially independent. To equip refugees with the skills they need to become successful entrepreneurs, the program provides training and technical assistance.
10. Nonprofit Environment Grant
Nonprofits interested in protecting the environment can apply for a small-business grant through the Patagonia Corporate Grants Program. The retailer looks for innovative businesses with proposed projects that are quantifiable and have specific goals, objectives, and action plans. These nonprofit grants typically fall between $5,000 and $20,000.
11. Rural Small Business Grant
The U.S. Department of Agriculture administers the USDA Rural Business Development Grants program, which provides financing to strengthen and grow small businesses in rural communities.
12. Grant Application Database for Women-Owned Businesses
IFundWomen is a grant marketplace that specializes in funding and coaching for women-owned businesses. You can submit one application and when IFundWomen adds a grant from an enterprise partner, it will match the partner’s grant criteria to applications within the database. If your business is a match, you’ll receive a notification and invitation to apply.
Recommended: 30 Small Business Grants for Women
13. Federal Grants for Disadvantaged Micro-Entrepreneurs
The Program for Investors in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME) offers federal grants to micro-enterprise development organizations so that they can provide assistance to disadvantaged micro-entrepreneurs. These organizations, such as the Nebraska Enterprise Fund and the Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon, both of which were awarded funding in 2021, can be private nonprofits or run by state, local, or tribal governments.
14. Facebook Small Business Resources
Small Business Funding is a resource offered by Meta for business owners to connect with purpose-driven lenders, access educational resources, and find communities of small business owners like them.
15. Visa Program for Tech Startups
The Visa Everywhere Initiative is a grant competition that offers funding to tech-forward startups across five different regions worldwide. Applicants must show how they’ve developed a product or service that creatively involves Visa’s products. The overall winner of the competition is awarded a $100,000 small-business grant. Additional grants are awarded to finalists.
16. Marketing Makeover Award
Through the Comcast RISE program, startup businesses can receive free marketing services and technology makeovers. These awards are given quarterly to businesses that have been operational for at least one year. To qualify, you also need to be located within the Comcast or Effectv service area — and your business must be 51% owned by someone who identifies as a woman or person of color.
17. Hello Alice Funding and Partnerships
The Hello Alice Grant Platform partners with a variety of companies, such as Progressive and DoorDash, to offer different grants for small businesses, including startups. You can create an account to receive notifications about new opportunities and apply to the grants that are relevant to your business.
Recommended: Working Capital Adjustment
3 Checklists of Best Practices for Small Business Success
These three checklists will help you cover all the bases.
18. Internal Revenue Service Checklist
The IRS checklist below provides the basic steps you should follow to start a business, along with useful links for action:
1. Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) if applicable
2. Select a business structure
4. If you have employees, have them fill out Form I-9 and Form W-4
Information about specific industries can be found at the Industries/Professions Web page.
19. Chamber of Commerce Checklist on Insurance
The insurance policies you need will depend on the size of your company (i.e., how many employees you hire) as well as your assets and liabilities. The Chamber of Commerce recommends looking into these:
• Worker’s compensation
• Professional liability insurance
• Product liability insurance
• Business vehicle insurance
• Small business health insurance
• General liability insurance
20: Checklist for Digital Marketing Success Plan
Based on best practices in marketing, you should cover these five bases to help your business take off:
1. Create a brand identity
2. Build a website
3. Establish a social media presence
4. Activate email marketing
5. Explore online advertising
Recommended: Nonprofit Startup Grants
The Takeaway
Exploring small business startup grants and funding programs can uncover valuable opportunities that don’t require repayment and may give your business a financial boost without debt. While grants are competitive and often come with eligibility criteria, understanding what’s available and how to apply positions you for success.
If you’re seeking financing for your business, SoFi is here to support you. On SoFi’s marketplace, you can shop and compare financing options for your business in minutes.
FAQ
What are small business startup grants?
Startup grants are funds provided by governments, nonprofits, or private organizations that don’t have to be repaid. They’re often designed to support new businesses, innovation, or entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups.
Who typically qualifies for small business startup grants?
Eligibility varies, but many grants target early-stage businesses, women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, or mission-driven companies. Some grants also focus on specific industries or geographic areas.
How do startup grants differ from small business loans?
Grants don’t require repayment, while loans must be paid back with interest. However, grants are usually more competitive and may come with stricter application requirements or usage guidelines.
What can small business startup grants be used for?
Grant funds may be used for expenses like equipment, marketing, product development, or operating costs, depending on the grant’s rules and restrictions.
Photo credit: iStock/Hispanolistic
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