Small business grant and loan programs are great sources of capital for startups and SMBs, but they’re difficult to find amid the sea of outdated websites and broken links.
The good news is that the number of grants and resources available to small businesses, including relief for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, is ever changing and updating. Below, check out a list of federal and private funding opportunities for small businesses like yours — all current as of September 2020.
1. Small Business Relief, GoFundMe
GoFundMe is offering matching grants from donors of up to $500 to help small businesses that have created a fundraiser through the Small Business Relief Initiative or had an existing GoFundMe fundraiser. Small businesses are required to raise at least $500 via their fundraiser to qualify for matching funds, which will be available until the entire Small Business Relief Fund is depleted.
Deadline: Rolling
2. Black Founder Startup Grant, SoGal
SoGal Foundation teamed up with Winky Lux, bluemercury, twelveNYC, Lively and other sponsors to provide several $5,000 and $10,000 cash grants to Black women or nonbinary entrepreneurs feeling the impact of COVID-19.
Deadline: Rolling
3. Grants for Small Business, National Association for the Self-Employed
NASE members can apply for monthly small-business grants worth up to $4,000, as well as an annual $3,000 college scholarship for members’ dependents.
Deadline: Rolling
4. Amber Grant, WomensNet
WomensNet distributes $1,000 monthly grants to women with small businesses, for a total of at least $10,000 every month. They’ve also expanded their grant-giving to include a year-end grant of $25,000.
Deadline: Rolling
5. Business for All Grant, Hello Alice
This Hello Alice program offers exclusive mentorship opportunities and grants of up to $50,000 to support long-term business growth. Mentors include Gwyneth Paltrow, Kristen Bell, Lisa Price, Armando Christina “Pitbull” Perez, Jeff Hoffman and more, to empower every American with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Deadline: September 25, 2020, winners announced later this fall.
6. The Red Backpack Fund, GlobalGiving
Spanx and The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation teamed up with GlobalGiving to establish The Red Backpack Fund, making at least 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. to help alleviate the impact of COVID-19.
Deadline: Rolling
7. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs
The SBIR and the 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 from 12 government agencies. Check out Hello Alice’s Guide to SBIR/STTR grants here, and read about how small businesses like yours can benefit from this lucrative source of government fundings in this blog.
Deadline: Rolling
8. Get Venture Ready, Fearless Fund
In an effort to support WOC entrepreneurs from all ends of the spectrum, Fearless Fund designed a 12-Month Get Venture Ready educational program with monthly masterclass teachers. At the end of the program you will have the chance to pitch for a $5,000 business grant.
Deadline: December 31, 2020
9. Business and Industry Loans, USDA Rural Development
The USDA is making available up to $1 billion in loan guarantees to help rural businesses — those in a city or town with a population of fewer than 50,000 — meet their working capital needs during the coronavirus pandemic.
Deadline: Rolling
10. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) grants
Operated by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the MBDA helps minority-owned businesses access the resources they need to grow, with regular grant competitions. Visit their site for information on various current opportunities.
Deadline: Rolling
11. Operation HOPE Small Business Development Program
This program is designed to help entrepreneurs in low-income communities start businesses despite poor credit, lack of capital, or limited access to financial services. The program also includes 12 weeks of adult education programming designed to provide entrepreneurs with the skills, tools, and knowledge to succeed.
Deadline: Rolling
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