Small to medium sized minority, women, or veteran owned businesses in Michigan can get financing from various free grant as well as loan programs. Lenders, including banks, credit unions, government agencies, corporations and others provide funds to help them start or grow a business. Find an updated list of loan as well as grant programs available in Michigan below that may be near you.
The funds are aimed at helping women owned businesses, Black owned companies, Latino businesses, Asian, Veterans and other disadvantaged groups get the financing they need. Each and every agency will have their own application process in place. Note that in general the funds go quickly, so it is recommended to apply as soon as possible. But new lenders, whether a bank, the federal government, private donors, etc. are always providing more money to the greater Michigan community.
There are grant as low cost (or interest free) loan programs in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor and across the state. Find how, and where, to get loans or free grants for your business below. Or find how to get capital to start your company. A number of agencies provide financial assistance, guidance, and other resources for women as well as minority owned companies or those seeking to start a business.
Find loans and free grants for minority or women businesses in Michigan
The list of financial assistance programs below will be updated daily. There are a number of loan programs well as well as grants available to help Black owned companies, Women businesses, LGBTQ, and other minority businesses. find funds from a bank, credit union, corporation or other program below.
Year round – ongoing financial help
Free business development services, applications to financial help and other resources are offered by the West Michigan Region of Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC). They help women and minority business owners in the Grand Rapids region. There is market research help, free consulting, applications to grants or SBA loans, and many other services. Read more. https://sbdcmichigan.org/west-michigan-region/
Restore the Village Fund is for Black and minority owned businesses in Detroit and Wayne County. There are grants, free coaching services, startup help, and other advice to help (1) a company get started or (2) assist current businesses. Free grants and financial support is offered to both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Black Leaders Detroit overseas the applications. Read more. https://blackleadersdetroit.org/
A Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) known as MIWF – Michigan Women’s Forward is a Microloan lender. They also offer other business workshops, STEAM workshops, a Girls For change Program, volunteer opportunities and more. Any business can apply for a loan or other free assistance/advice, but a focus is on women, including Latinas, Black women, immigrants and the disadvantaged. From time to time government grants may also be provided by the lender, and find more details on their services here. https://miwf.org/grow-your-business/apply-for-a-loan/
December 2020
Small businesses in the city of Kalamazoo can get grants of up to $2500. There is the city Small Business Health Protection Grant which is being offered by the United Way of the Battle Creek as well as city of Kalamazoo Michigan. The business needs to have less than 50 employees and under $2.5 million in revenue. The funds can pay for expenses related to COVID, such as PPE, etc. Minority, women, and veteran owned businesses are being allocated some of the funds as well. Learn more or apply. https://changethestory.org/small-business-support/
November 2020
Small businesses, sole-proprietors and start up companies in Detroit can apply for grants from 2 local non-profits. The funds are for Asian owned, African/Black Americans, Latinos, and other businesses owned (or started) by people of color. Hundreds of grants, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Applications are accepted, reviewed, and processed by ProsperUS Detroit as well as Black Leaders Detroit. Funds are for English and Spanish speakers, businesses that have filed taxes, and others in the city of Detroit. Funds are for e-commerce as well as physical businesses. Apply here. https://blackleadersdetroit.org/bld-flagstar-bipoc-grant.html
Michigan businesses of people of color (black, Indigenous, Latino, etc.) can apply for grants of up to $5000 from Flagstar Bank. The funds are for businesses impacted by color – these are not loans from the lender but free grants. The business most be small, with revenue under 1 million dollars per year (pre-COVID). Wherever Flagstar operates this grant program is offered, including in Troy, Detroit, Fort Wayne, and others. Apply here. https://www.flagstar.com/
September 2020
Grand Rapids Opportunity for Women and the ReStart Kent loan program as well as the Muskegon County Recovery Loan, has a second application period for $10,000 loans. Some of the money is paid by the SBA, and the low cost loans have a low interest rate and no origination fees for women, veterans, and minority run small businesses. It is only for residents in those counties. Learn more. https://www.growbusiness.org/
August 2020
Kent County and Grand Rapids residents can get up to $25,000 in free small business grants. Not only may financial aid be offered to female, minority, and struggling businesses, but they are can get technical help, counseling, advice on growing (or saving) their business, and other support. Apply for funds here. https://calvin.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9vOEdNgz4hzfkuV
Michigan Women Forward’s Resilience Fund helps small businesses regain financial footing through free grants and free advice. The goal of this fund is to be able to service individuals who are low to moderate income and also who are minorities or women. https://miwf.org/
Grants available for local small businesses. At least 30 percent of the funds will go to businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans. Up to $20,000 is provided per applicant. This is part of the restart program. Applicants need to have less than 50 employees, needs funds for working capital or bills (such as rent, utilities, inventory, etc.). A priority is for female led, veterans, minorities, and disadvantaged in Michigan. Read more michiganbusiness.org/restart/ or find additional details https://www.themorningsun.com/news/local/grants-available-for-local-small-businesses/article_6815d948-d35a-11ea-9f20-772f76925b53.html
By Jon McNamara
