Small Business Grants for Entrepreneurs

If you’re looking for financing for your business but don’t love the idea of taking on a loan you have to pay back, there’s one thing you should consider: small business grants. These are funds you can use to support and grow your business…and they don’t have to be paid back.

What is a Small Business Grant?

Like a small business loan, a small business grant provides capital you can use to grow your business, hire staff, invest in marketing, or purchase equipment or inventory. They may be offered by corporations, nonprofits, or local and federal governments. Some grants target certain geographical areas or demographics like women, minorities, or veterans. Some grants are specific to a particular industry.

Pros of Grants 

I’ll repeat myself: grants are great because you don’t have to repay them. You don’t have to worry about setting aside profits each month to cover your loan payment, nor do you have to pay interest.

Another benefit is that, in comparison to working with investors, grants don’t require you to give up equity. You have full control of your business decisions and don’t have to share profits.

Cons of Grants

While there are benefits to grants, there are a few disadvantages to be aware of. The process of applying for grants can be time-consuming, and if you’re not well-versed in how to fill out the application, you may minimize your chances of being awarded a grant. You can hire a professional grant writer to help, though that will eat into your award funds.

Competition for grants can be high. Certainly, yours isn’t the only business applying for a grant, which means you’ll be up against hundreds, if not thousands, of other applicants.

Some grants may require you to use the funds for specific purposes, such as hiring employees or opening a business in an underserved area. Read the fine print before applying to be sure you can meet those requirements.

And not all grants are created equal. Some grants are for a few hundred dollars, and others are for tens of thousands of dollars. You might not be awarded all the money you need for your business, and in that case, you may also need to explore other financing options, like loans or investors. And finally, be aware that grant money may be subject to taxation.

Where to Find Grants

Now that you’re sold on the idea of applying for small business grants, let’s explore where you can find them. There are several grant databases offered by government agencies, nonprofits, and private corporations. Some are free, while others may charge a fee for you to use them.

Grants.gov

Grants.gov focuses specifically on grants offered by federal agencies, like the Department of Agriculture, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among others. The site is free to use and also includes useful tips to help you apply for federal funding opportunities.

GrantWatch

GrantWatch provides details on grants for nonprofits and businesses. It has thousands of grants regularly updated, and also includes an AI grant writing tool. Plans start at $22 per week or $249 per year.

OpenGrants.io

OpenGrants.io has more than 4,000 open grant opportunities, and also offers the option to hire a grant writer. There’s a free seven-day trial, and then plans start at $19 per month.

Other Sources for Small Business Grants

Beyond these grant databases, you can search online for grants in your industry or grants that are specific to your demographics (especially if you are a minority/veteran/woman business owner). 

Additionally, look for grants offered by local government agencies and corporations. They often want to serve local businesses and may offer grants as a way to support the community.  Your local Small Business Development Center can also be a useful resource.

To find grants offered by corporations, search [company] small business grant. For example, both Target and Sephora offer grants.

And finally, you can also look at professional organizations you are a member of to see if they offer grants. Entrepreneurial organizations are particularly known to provide grants to members. 

Small Biz Grants to Apply For

These grants are either actively open to applicants or regularly call for applications.

The FedEx® Entrepreneur Fund

FedEx ran its Small Business Grants program for 12 years, but now it’s partnering with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network(GEN) to offer $300,000 in grants. Thirty grants of $10,000 each will be awarded to entrepreneurs who have a connection to the military and/or entrepreneurs with disabilities. 

Amber Grants for Women

If you’re a woman with a business, consider applying for the Amber Grant, which awards $10,000 to a woman-owned business each month. There is also an annual grant of $50,000. The business category grants include skilled trades, health and fitness, food and beverage, sustainability, and more.

Amazon Business Small Business Grants

This grant program is open to Amazon business customers with annual revenue of less than or equal to $1,000,000. The grand prize grant is $25,000, and there are four winners of $20,000 and 10 semi-finalists who receive $10,000.

Fresh Start Business Grant

Offered by Bizee, the Fresh Start Business Grant provides $2,500 for startup costs, as well as business formation services. The application requires a video stating how entrepreneurship will impact your life, as well as a sample business plan.

Pilot Small Business Growth Fund

Hello Alice has also partnered with Pilot.com to offer a total of $250,000 in small business grants. Eligible US businesses must have generated between $5,000 and $5,000,000 in gross revenue in 2025.

National Kitty Fund

The National Kitty Fund provides $1,000 to 25 businesses run by mompreneurs. The application requires a short pitch video.

AARP Community Challenge

This grant, offered by AARP, provides funding to projects that develop communities that are more livable for people of all ages. There are several grants within this program, including Flagship Grants, Capacity-Building Microgrants, and Demonstration Grants, with amounts ranging from a few hundred dollars for short-term activities to $15,000 for larger initiatives.

The Halstead Grant

If your business is in the jewelry industry, you may be interested in the Halstead Grant, which provides winners with $7,500 and $1,000 in merchandise. To enter, you’ll need to answer 15 business questions and provide your design portfolio.

Tips for Getting a Grant

To increase your odds of winning one or more grants, planning is key. Here are tips to help you on your journey.

Start your Research Early

Keep an eye out for announcements for the next round of grants, and take note of deadlines. I suggest making a spreadsheet of all the grants you’re interested in, including:

• Name and URL
• Deadline
• Requirements to apply

Allow for ample time to gather whatever information or documents you need to apply, with a buffer for any last-minute hiccups that could delay you from finalizing your application.

Gather What You Need

Now that you’ve got those requirements nicely organized in your spreadsheet, it will be easy to see what you need to apply for each. And good news! You may be able to reuse some of the docs, so keep them handy for future applications.

You may need to provide a budget, financial statements, and a mission statement. A grant may ask for business licenses, a business plan, or other documents. 

Consider Hiring a Grant Writer

Writing a grant proposal requires a special skillset. Investing in a professional writer can help increase your chances of being awarded a grant. Look at the expense as an investment in your business’s future!

Apply for All the Grants You Qualify For

Don’t be shy about applying for as many grants as possible. Some grants may only cover a small portion of the funds you need or have very specific terms of use. If you need additional money after exhausting your grant options, consider combining grant funds with other financing options, like a business loan or bringing on an investor.

When it comes to funding your business, free money is best! Small business grants provide a great financial resource…without needing to be repaid.