Startup Grant Opportunities
Looking for funding to grow your startup? This page features a curated selection of grants and funding opportunities from public and private entities.
Explore the opportunities and get the boost your business needs.
Private Companies and Nonprofits Grants
Freed Fellowship Grant
The Freed Fellowship grant program offers a $500 grant to small-business owners each month. All applicants get feedback from the Freed Studio and recommendations on how to grow their business. They also receive two months of free mentoring in the Freed Studio virtual community.
The Amplifier Grant
The Outrage is an activism organization that offers a $5,000 new business grant to companies making a difference in their community. The Amplifier Grant is available on a seasonal basis; funding is awarded in January, April, July and October.
IFundWomen Universal Grant Application Database
IFundWomen partners with other corporations to administer business grants. The company generally focuses on small-business grants for women, but also offers startup grants, crowdfunding and coaching, among other resources.
Amber Grant for Women
WomensNet gives three $10,000 Amber Grants each month and three $25,000 grants annually. Although startups are eligible for all grants, one of the monthly $10,000 grants is specifically geared toward new businesses.
Hustler’s Microgrant
HerSuiteSpot is a digital platform that provides training and coaching to women-owned small businesses. The company offers the $1,000 Hustler’s microgrant each month that’s available to any small business in the U.S. To apply, you need to provide basic information about your business and explain how you would use the grant funds.
Awesome Foundation Grants
The Awesome Foundation offers $1,000 business grants on a monthly basis. These grants are available to individuals, groups and organizations — so there is no minimum time in business requirement. Grants are awarded by individual foundation chapters, which are organized in different cities across the U.S.
Faire Small-Business Grant
If you own an independent retail store that opened within the last year — or plan to open this year — you may qualify for the Faire Small-Business Grant. This new business grant offers $5,000 in Faire credit to independent retailers based in the U.S.
ZenBusiness Grant Program
ZenBusiness evaluates applications on a monthly basis and winners receive a $5,000 grant, access to the company’s Money Pro services, as well as “ask me anything” office hours with the ZenBusiness team. If you apply for a certain month and don’t win, you can reapply for the following month. Winners are not eligible for subsequent grants, however.
Venmo Small Business Grant
The annual Venmo Small Business Grant offers $10,000 grants to 20 business owners. This program also provides mentorship from industry leaders and the opportunity to be featured on Venmo’s social media pages.
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
This annual competition awards grants to small-business owners in a variety of industries. To be eligible, you’ll need to have been in business for at least six months, and have had an active FedEx business account during that same timeframe. One winner will receive a $50,000 grant, and nine additional small businesses will get $20,000 grants.
Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program
Each year, the program chooses 50 small-business owners to participate in a yearlong initiative that includes workshops, networking groups, a $5,000 business education grant and a culmination presentation. Tory Burch Fellows participants also receive access to 0% interest loans through Kiva.
Jobber Grants
Jobber, an operations management software company, offers $10,000 grants to home-service businesses, such as landscaping-, painting-, cleaning- and plumbing companies. To be eligible for this grant, you must be an existing or aspiring home-service business owner who is at least 18 years old. Grant funds can be used for any business purpose.
Government Grants & Resources for Startups
Find government funding and support to help grow your startup. Explore federal, state, and local grants, along with resources designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Grants.gov
Government agencies routinely post new grant opportunities on this centralized database. If you see an opportunity relevant to your business idea, you can check if startups are eligible. Many of these grants deal with scientific or pharmaceutical research, though, so they may not all be relevant to Main Street businesses.
State and local government grants
The federal government awards a variety of grant funding to other governments, like states or cities, or to nonprofit economic development organizations. Those entities then offer grants to local businesses. Plugging into your local startup ecosystem can help you stay on top of these opportunities.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs
These federal grant programs are designed for businesses with innovative technology or scientific research ideas. Federal agencies list the types of research they’re hoping to fund, and if you think your idea qualifies, you can submit a proposal. Unsolicited proposals aren’t allowed.
Small Business Development Centers
These resource centers funded by the Small Business Administration offer business coaching, education, technical support and networking opportunities. They may also be able to help you apply for small-business grants, develop a business plan and level up your business in other ways.
Minority Business Development Agency Centers
The MBDA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, operates small-business support centers similar to SBDCs. The MBDA doesn't give grants to startup businesses directly, but these centers can connect you with grant organizations, help you prepare applications and secure other types of business loans.