Categories: Business and Economy

36 Small-Business Grants for Minorities

Minority-owned businesses are less likely to be fully approved for financing compared to their white-owned counterparts — according to data from the Federal Reserve published in 2025. Fortunately, many organizations across the country offer small-business grants for minorities, as well as other resources to help entrepreneurs bridge the funding gap.

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Private small-business grants for minorities

Small-business grants offer free funds that you don’t need to pay back. Business grants for minorities can be a particularly good option for new entrepreneurs and those that can’t qualify for traditional financing options.

Here are some grants to consider:

1. Wish Local Empowerment Program

Amount: $500 to $2,000.
Deadline: Rolling applications.
Eligibility: Black business owners who are at least 18 years old, have 20 or fewer employees, earn less than $1 million in annual revenue and operate a brick-and-mortar location in the U.S.

The Wish Local Empowerment Program offers grants to help support Black-owned small businesses. Funds can be used for a variety of purposes. If you’re chosen for the program, you must join Wish Local, a mobile shopping app.

Amount: $1,000.
Deadline: Applications due the last day of each month.
Eligibility: U.S.-based, for-profit businesses that generate less than $1 million annually and are at least 51% owned by a woman of color.

The HerRise Microgrant, offered by the Yva Jourdan Foundation and HerSuite Spot, provides monthly grants to women of color entrepreneurs. Funding can be used for computers, equipment, marketing materials, software purchase, website creation and more.

3. The Freed Fellowship Grant

Amount: $500; recipients also considered for an additional $2,500 year-end grant.
Deadline: Rolling applications; grants awarded monthly.
Eligibility: U.S. small-business owners; women, minorities and other underrepresented entrepreneurs are especially encouraged to apply.

The Freed Fellowship grant supports underrepresented entrepreneurs with both funding and mentorship. All applicants receive two months of free access to the Freed Studio, a virtual small-business community.

4. National Association for the Self-Employed Growth Grants

Amount: Up to $4,000.
Deadline: Rolling applications; reviewed on a quarterly basis (April, July, October and January).
Eligibility: Member of NASE; all business owners, including minority groups.

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) provides educational resources and grants for small businesses and entrepreneurs. To apply for a grant, you need to be an active member of NASE, provide a detailed explanation of how you’ll use the funds, show how the grant will support your business growth and provide supporting documentation.

5. Transform Business Grant

Amount: $1,000.
Deadline: March 20, 2026.
Eligibility: Business owners from systemically oppressed backgrounds, including minority entrepreneurs, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities and formerly incarcerated individuals.

Transform supports systemically marginalized entrepreneurs through its microgrant program. Winners receive a customized, year-long business strategy and development program in addition to funding.

6. Secretsos Small Business Grant

Amount: $2,500.
Deadline: March 31, 2026 for first quarter applications.
Eligibility: U.S.-based entrepreneurs who are at least 21 years old and have a legally registered business. Must be a traditionally underserved business (i.e. denied a bank loan, woman-owned, veteran-owned, minority-owned or located in a low-income area).

The Secretsos Small Business Grant program supports entrepreneurs who are often overlooked for traditional investment sources. Funds can be used for a variety of purposes. Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis. Applications open on the first day of the quarter and close on the last day.

7. Outta Excuses Small Business Empowerment Grant

Amount: $3,000
Deadline: March 31, 2026 for first quarter applications.
Eligibility: U.S.-based LLCs or nonprofits that generate less than $500,000 in annual revenue.

In addition to the cash grant, winners will receive one month’s worth of free weekly business coaching sessions. This grant is awarded quarterly. Applying will automatically enter you for a chance to win a bonus $10,000 in September 2026.

8. Breakthrough Program by DigitalUndivided

Amount: $5,000.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Eligibility: Black or Latina female small-business owners. Must have at least one year in business, a minimum of $50,000 annual revenue and include a technology component incorporated in the business.
Apply: Via the DigitalUndivided Breakthrough Program.

Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Chase, the Breakthrough Program delivers regional grants, mentorship and business development sessions covering topics such as startup funding, marketing and customer analytics.

Amount: $5,000.
Deadline: Third quarter applications will open from July 1 – 31, 2026.
Eligibility: Open to all U.S.-based small businesses who can demonstrate an impact on their community.

To qualify for a quarterly Breva Thrive Grant, your business must already be generating revenue. Breva also prefers applicants who have at least one year in business and are impacting historically underserved communities.

Amount: $500
Deadline: Applications open from April 1 – 30, 2026.
Eligibility: Any woman entrepreneur located anywhere in the world.

Giving Joy microgrants can be used to start a business or expand an existing one. The funds should be used for a project that will have a positive economic or social impact on girls and women in your community. Applicants must be 18 or over. Winners will be announced in June 2026.

Amount: $3,500.
Deadline: April 30, 2026.
Eligibility: Women and minority business owners.
Apply: Via the Galaxy Grants website.

Hidden Star, a nonprofit supporting underserved founders, offers Galaxy Grants to help reduce barriers to entrepreneurship for women and people of color.

12. Hey Helen Grant Program

Amount: $10,000.
Deadline: April 30, 2026.
Eligibility: U.S.-based businesses that are 100% women-owned and generate less than $1 million in annual revenue.

Presented by the Visionaries Collective, a networking platform for women business owners, the Hey Helen grant will be awarded three times in 2026 with one woman or nonbinary business owner winning each cycle. Funds can be used for a wide variety of business-related costs.

13. Small Business Hero Program

This grant program is a joint effort from Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp. Three businesses that have made an impact on their community will be awarded $20,000 grants, one year of free access to QuickBooks Online Advanced and one year of free Mailchimp Standard Marketing Plan. Winners will be announced on June 4, 2026.

Jobber supports home-service businesses through its grant program. Funds can be used for a variety of purposes. Sign up on Jobber’s website for information on the next grant cycle.

15. Santander Bank Cultivate Small Business Grant

Amount: Up to $20,000.
Deadline: Applications open through July 22, 2026.
Eligibility: Food businesses located in a low-to-moderate income area; must have operated for at least one year, generated $25,000 to $1 million in revenue in the previous calendar year and have one to 10 full-time employees.

The Cultivate Small Business Grant funds traditionally underserved businesses in the food industry. In addition to funding, selected entrepreneurs will enroll in a 12-week virtual education program, with a food-focused business curriculum.

16. Her Agenda Breakthrough Grant

Amount: $5,000.
Deadline: Sept. 18, 2026.
Eligibility: U.S.-based women entrepreneurs who are at least 18 years old and have been in business for at least one year.

Businesses must subscribe to the free Her Agenda newsletter before applying for this grant. Funds can be used for a variety of purposes including marketing, legal or operational costs and product development. There is a $25 application fee.


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Amount: One $25,000 grant for the grand prize winner; ten $2,000 grants for additional finalists.
Deadline: Applications open in spring 2026. Exact dates will be announced soon.
Eligibility: U.S. residents who own a for-profit business that has been in operation for at least one year; must have fewer than 250 employees and gross revenues of less than $20 million over the last two years.
Apply: Via the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website.

Formerly the America’s Top Small Business Awards, the CO-100 program recognizes high-performing small businesses across the country and provides grant funding to select winners.

18. The Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program

Amount: $1,000 stipend for participants.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Eligibility: Historically underrepresented entrepreneurs in the retail industry.
Apply: Via the Watson Institute website.

19. Pathway to Opportunity

Amount: $5,000 (first place), $2,500 (second), $1,250 (third).
Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Eligibility: U.S. small-business owners; Black business owners encouraged to apply.
Apply: Via the Pathway to Opportunity website.

Pathway to Opportunity (formerly the National Black Business Pitch) is an annual pitch competition for small businesses. Finalists are selected to pitch their businesses in front of a virtual audience and three winners receive cash prizes to support business growth.

20. The Black Ambition Prize

Amount: $20,000 to $100,000 for finalists, $1 million grand prize.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Eligibility: For profit businesses in the field of consumer products and services, healthcare, technology, AI and/or media and entertainment; at least one founding member should be from a traditionally underserved background, such as Black/African/African American, Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx, LGBTQ, parents with earned income below the poverty level, first-generation immigrants, first-generation college graduates, and those raised by a single parent.
Apply: Via the Black Ambition Prize website.

The Black Ambition Prize supports innovative early-stage companies through grant funding, coaching, marketing opportunities and workshops in pitching, leadership and business development.

Amount: $50,000.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Eligibility: Minority-owned beauty brands.
Apply: Via the Ulta Beauty MUSE Accelerator website.

The MUSE Accelerator supports underrepresented founders in the beauty industry. In addition to grant funding, the program includes a 10-week training and education curriculum, as well as mentorship.

22. Fifteen Percent Pledge Achievement Award

Amount: $200,000 for first place; $35,000 for second place; $15,000 for third place.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Eligibility: Black-owned e-commerce businesses earning at least $100,000 annually and members of the Fifteen Percent Pledge Business Equity Community (free to join).
Apply: Via Fifteen Percent Pledge website.

This annual award supports high-growth Black-owned e-commerce businesses and recognizes outstanding achievement within the community. In addition to grant funding, the first place winner receives mentoring and pro-bono consulting services from industry leaders.

23. National Black MBA Association Scale-Up Pitch Challenge

Amount: $50,000 for first place; $10,000 for second place; $7,500 for third place; $1,000 for People’s Choice Award.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Eligibility: Businesses with a Black founder; at least one pitch team member must be a National Black MBA Association member.

This annual pitch competition provides funding to high-potential businesses led by Black founders, along with exposure and pitch experience before industry leaders.

24. Famous Amos Ingredients for Success Entrepreneurs Initiative

Amount: $50,000.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Eligibility: U.S.-based businesses with less than five years in operation that are at least 90% Black-owned.
Apply: Via the Famous Amos Ingredients for Success website.

A partnership between Famous Amos and its community partner, the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), this annual program provides grants to early-stage Black business owners. In addition to funding, awardees also receive mentorship, networking, and educational resources.

Amount: Varies.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Eligibility: Latino-owned bakeries, eateries and food trucks.
Apply: Via the Siete Juntos website.

The Siete Juntos Fund supports Latino-owned food businesses, as well as wellness and education organizations.

26. Black Kitchen Initiative

Amount: Varies.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Eligibility: Black-owned food businesses.
Apply: Via the LEE Initiative website.

Launched in 2021, the Black Kitchen Initiative issues grants to independently owned businesses that uplift the legacy of Black cuisine and foodways in the United States.

27. BGV Pitch Competition

Amount: Varies.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Eligibility: Businesses generating revenue that are 51% owned by under-resourced women founders.
Apply: Via the Black Girl Ventures website.

Held by Black Girl Ventures, this pitch competition is open to underrepresented female business owners. Founders pitch their businesses in a live, community-driven competition and win money based on audience votes.

28. Hawaii FoundHer Program

Amount: $20,000.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Eligibility: For-profit, early stage businesses (less than three years in operation). Must be 51% owned by women who are Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander or Asian and based in Hawaii.

This accelerator program offers grant funding to Native Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific Islander women business owners. Program participants also receive a childcare stipend, mentorship, retreats and educational workshops.

29. Cécred x BeyGOOD Salon Business Grant

Amount: $10,000.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Eligibility: Salon and barbershop business owners who have demonstrated ﬁnancial hardship.
Apply: Via the BeyGOOD website.

The Cécred x BeyGOOD Fund is a collaborative grant program between Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s public charity foundation, BeyGOOD, and her haircare company, Cécred. The program, which is designed to promote professional stylists, funds salon business grants and cosmetology school scholarships around the country.

30. EBay Up and Running Grant

Amount: $10,000.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
Eligibility: U.S.-based businesses who are actively selling on eBay and in good standing.

Minority business owners who sell on eBay may be interested in the annual eBay Up & Running program. In addition to funding, winners receive a $500 stipend to purchase technology from eBay Refurbished, as well as access to eBay education and seller resources.

31. NuProject grant programs

Amount: Varies.
Deadline: Applications are currently closed; sign up on NuProject website for updates.
Eligibility: Startup and revenue-generating cannabis businesses located within the state of Oregon.
Apply: Via the NuProject website.

NuProject is an Oregon-based organization that supports entrepreneurs in the legal cannabis industry through 0% interest and low-interest loans, grants and coaching. The nonprofit prioritizes historically underrepresented groups to receive funding.

Amount: $2,500.
Deadline: Closed on Feb. 16, 2026.
Eligibility: Entrepreneurs with a clear business idea or early-stage business.

The quarterly Greatness Grant is administered by entrepreneur Nehemiah Davis with the goal of providing financial support to aspiring business owners. In addition to grant funding, winners also receive mentorship and networking.

💡 Nerdy insight

Minority business owners can get small-business loans from banks, SBA lenders and online lenders. Some banks and nonprofit organizations also have dedicated financing programs specifically for minority groups.

Federal business grants for minorities

Amount: Varies by grant program.
Deadline: Varies by grant; deadlines are listed within each opportunity on the Grants.gov website.
Eligibility: Open to all types of entrepreneurs, including minority groups.
Apply: Register your business using the System Award Management platform and get a unique entity identification number; create an account on Grants.gov to submit applications.

Grants.gov is a database of federal small-business grants. It contains more than 1,000 grant programs administered by over 20 government agencies.

34. The USDA Rural Business Development Grant Program

This USDA grant promotes the development and expansion of small businesses in rural areas — minority-owned or not. Grants can be used for a variety of purposes, including training and technical assistance, acquisition or development of land and long-term business planning.

35. Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs

These two small-business programs provide contracts and grants for early-stage small businesses that are looking to commercialize innovative research and development.

Resources for minority-owned businesses

Minority business owners can also use various resources to help them start and grow their businesses. These tools can provide additional funding opportunities, business training and mentorship, among other forms of assistance.

National Minority Supplier Development Council

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

This development agency, part of the Department of Commerce, promotes the growth of minority-run small businesses by connecting owners with financing resources, federal contracts and market opportunities. Connect with a local MBDA business center in your region for more information.

SBA 8(a) Business Development Program

Socially or economically disadvantaged small-business owners are eligible to receive help through the SBA 8(a) program. It doesn’t offer grant funding but does provide business development assistance, training, and management and technical guidance.

To qualify, a small business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are socially and economically disadvantaged.

Small Business Development Centers

These SBA-sponsored resource centers offer free one-on-one coaching and consulting on topics like market research and financing your business. They may be able to help you apply for the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program and Minority and Women Business Enterprise Certifications.

Operation HOPE 1 Million Black Businesses

The Operation Hope program combines business training and financial counseling along with access to small-business financing options. Through a partnership with Shopify, Operation Hope offers business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs free access to Shopify products, plus coaching.

Gold House Ventures is an investment fund that provides capital to Asian and Pacific Islander founders. In addition to seed funding, Gold House Ventures offers accelerator programs, classes, mentorship and more.

Alternatives to minority small-business grants

Business grants can be difficult to apply for and even harder to win. For other ways to help fund your minority-owned business, consider the following options.

SBA microloans: These loans offer up to $50,000 and can be a good choice for new or very small businesses. They’re typically issued by nonprofit community financial institutions, many of which offer additional training and resources.
Business lines of credit: These business loans work similarly to credit cards but usually have higher credit limits. They can be a good choice for companies that need to borrow money but aren’t quite sure how much — you’ll only pay interest on what you borrow, and you can repay funds and borrow again as often as you need.
Crowdfunding: If you can tell your business’s story online in a way that persuades your customers and supporters to invest in you, you may be able to raise significant capital to launch or expand your business.
Peer-to-peer business loans: Because they’re issued by private investors instead of financial institutions, P2P business loans may be easier for new or small businesses to qualify for. Some are similar to crowdfunding platforms.

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