Grants for Small Businesses: Your Essential Resource Guide
As grant writing experts, we often hear from entrepreneurs asking, "Are there any grants out there for small businesses?" It's a real question behind a lot of hope and hard work, whether you're launching something new, expanding, or navigating a rough patch.
We put together this guide to help you find real, current grant opportunities, along with practical tips for applying well. A note on how to use this list: grant programs from corporations and platforms change constantly, application windows open and close, amounts shift, and some programs retire entirely. Always confirm current details on the funder's own site before you invest time in an application.
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Tips for small businesses applying for grants
Understand the grant's purpose. Before applying, make sure you clearly understand the objectives of the grant. Each program has specific goals, and aligning your project with those objectives significantly improves your chances.
Read the eligibility requirements. Each grant has its own criteria. Review these carefully to confirm your business actually qualifies before investing time in the application.
Develop a strong proposal. Your proposal should be well-structured, clear, and compelling. Outline your business plan, objectives, and how the funds will be used, including specific detail about the impact your project will have on your community or target market.
Provide supporting documentation. Many applications require financial statements, business plans, or letters of support. Gather these in advance to streamline the process.
Follow the instructions exactly. Adhere to every formatting and submission requirement. Missing a deadline or skipping a requirement can mean automatic disqualification, regardless of how strong the proposal is.
Seek feedback before you submit. A second set of eyes, a colleague, mentor, or professional in the field, can catch what you can't see in your own draft.
Be persistent. Grant applications are competitive, and a decline isn't a verdict on your business. Use any feedback to strengthen the next application, and keep looking for new opportunities.
Available grant opportunities
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs, also known as America's Seed Fund
Through SBIR and STTR, America's Seed Fund awards non-dilutive funding to develop your technology and chart a path toward commercialization. The federal government invests in your solution while you retain full ownership and control. Open to technology-focused entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses with fewer than 500 employees.
Website: sbir.gov
Grants.gov
The federal government's central portal for grants across multiple agencies. Search and apply for funding opportunities in one place. Eligibility varies by grant.
Website: Grants.gov
Comcast RISE
Comcast RISE provides a package of support to small businesses, including a monetary grant, technology upgrades, creative production, and business consultation. Eligibility and eligible cities rotate by application cycle; the most recent round awarded 500 grant packages across five U.S. regions. The current cycle has closed, but the program continues on a rolling basis, so stay tuned for the next round of applications.
Website: Comcast RISE announcement
The Awesome Foundation
Small grants (typically $1,000) for creative projects proposed by individuals or groups. No specific eligibility requirements, making it accessible to a broad range of applicants.
Website: Awesome Foundation
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants
NASE offers grants up to $4,000 to members for business needs like marketing, hiring, or expansion. Membership is required to apply.
Website: NASE
Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG)
This USDA program funds business and economic development initiatives in rural communities, with a 2026 cycle offering $27.7 million. Worth knowing before you apply: individuals and for-profit small businesses cannot apply directly. Eligible applicants are public bodies, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, and federally recognized Tribes serving rural areas. If you're a small business owner, the practical path in is often through a local economic development nonprofit or Tribal entity that can apply on behalf of, or in partnership with, businesses in the community.
Website: RBDG Program
Amazon Business: Small Business Grants
Amazon Business awards grants to support the growth of small businesses that are active Amazon Business customers.
Website: Amazon Business Grants
Etsy Emergency Relief Fund
In partnership with CERF+, a nonprofit supporting artists through emergencies and disasters, Etsy offers relief grants of up to $2,000 to sellers affected by a federally declared disaster. Applicants must have been an active, good-standing Etsy seller for at least one year.
Website: Etsy Emergency Relief Fund at CERF+
IFundWomen
IFundWomen maintains a grant application database used as the entry point for its funding opportunities. When IFundWomen partners with a brand, they match that partner's grant criteria to businesses already in the database.
Website: IFundWomen
QuickBooks Small Business Hero Program
Presented by QuickBooks and Mailchimp, this program awards a $20,000 grant to businesses in each application phase throughout the year, along with social media promotion and free access to QuickBooks and Mailchimp services.
Website: QuickBooks Grants
Venmo Small Business Grant
Venmo partners with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network to award $20,000 each to a small group of entrepreneurs annually. Eligibility requires an active Venmo Business Profile, fewer than 10 employees, and under $50,000 in annual sales.
Website: Venmo Small Business Grant
The UPS Store Small Biz Challenge
Now in its ninth year, this annual challenge awards a $35,000 prize pool, split between a grand prize winner and finalists, along with a feature in Inc. magazine. Open to independently owned, non-franchised U.S. businesses with nine or fewer employees. The application window typically opens in January; the most recent cycle's deadline has passed, so watch for the next opening.
Website: The UPS Store Small Biz Challenge
Other resources
Hello Alice: helloalice.com/funding/grants
Final thoughts
Understanding the grants landscape can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate it alone. These opportunities are designed to support businesses like yours, whether you're innovating, expanding, or simply keeping the doors open. A strong application, careful attention to eligibility, and persistence go a long way.
Cheering you on,
Allison
