Find a list of business loans as well as free grant programs in California near you below. Locate lenders, non-profits, and government programs that help disadvantaged companies. Black owned businesses, companies owned by women, Latino, and small minority owned organizations can apply funds. Get help in 2024 from minority business loans in California or other sources of funding.
The amount of money as well as the application process will vary based on the lender and the program available. Free grants or loans during calendar year 2024 can be issued to small or medium businesses and some lenders (or government programs) may even help minority or women entrepreneur (MWBE)s as well as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). If you are looking for money to start a business, or grow an existing one, assistance is available. Find more details below on the latest programs, with come focused on grants for Black women in California.
Small minority or women business loans and free grants in California
Below is a list of grants and loans for small women or minority owned businesses in California. It is updated daily with the newest announcements at the top of the list. A number of California banks, government programs, and community agencies continually issue funds to Black, Latino, women, LGBTQ and other minority owned or run businesses.
November and December 2024
City of Eastvale is helping restaurants and food establishments as part of the Business Incentive Loan Program. Forgivable loans (which can be in effect considered a grant) will help food places get the capital they need to expand. It also focuses on minority and cultural restaurants too, and more here. https://www.eastvaleca.gov/business/business-incentive-loan-program
The Sacramento Small Business Micro-Capital Grant Program is for companies with less than $50,000 in annual revenue and/or less than 5 employees. It is a “rolling grant” program that will help small businesses get the capital they need. Get details here. https://sac4micro.org/
Santa Monica Commercial Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program is a matching grant program that will provide up to $10,000 per each qualified business. The money will need to go storefronts in the city and on the Pico Blvd area. HUD, the city and other agencies are contributing, with some funds allocated to low-income and disadvantaged businesses. More info here. https://www.santamonica.gov/programs/small-business-matching-grant-program326232322
LA County businesses that are still recovering from the pandemic can apply for grant money from the Economic Opportunity Holiday Grant Program. The Pacific Asian Consortium of Employment and LA County Department of Economic Opportunity are offering the funds. Get more information here. Microentrepreneurs can apply too. https://opportunity.lacounty.gov/small-business-grants/
The Oakland Small Business Resilience Fund is providing $5,000 to $25,000 grants to small businesses. Applicants need to have lack of access to capital (MWBE, Asian, veterans, etc.) or have been negatively impacted by crime or unusual business costs. The goal is to help the diverse businesses in the Oakland CA area gain stability. Learn more about the free grants here. https://www.ebcf.org/program-strategies/inclusive-economy/oakland-small-business-resiliency-fund/
September and October 2024
Fresno small businesses can apply for free grants up to $2,000, with the money for security upgrades. The funds are for small businesses in the city with a physical presence, with minorities, women and vets taking priority. The Chamber of Commerce is overseeing the grants known as “Security Camera”, and apply here. https://fresnochamber.com/security-camera-grant-application/
Glendale based Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women is providing grants. The money will help women with educational needs. The grants are part of the Live Your Dream Award in an effort to help women that are the primary “bread winner” of their home. https://soroptimistglendale.org/live-your-dream/
July 2024 and August 2024
The LA Legacy Business Program is available in the form of free grant money, with up to $20,000 provided. Applications are processed by Los Angeles Economic Workforce Development Department. This program is for businesses that have been operating for 20+ years, including disadvantaged and those owned by people of color. There are free grants, marketing help, PR and more provided. Apply here. https://ewdd.lacity.gov/index.php/local-business/legacybusiness
Solano County small businesses can get 0% or low cost loans. The Biz-Grow program will provide funds, including to minority or women owned businesses in the county. In total, up to $125,000 can be provided (at the most) with the majority of the loans from the Solano County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) being a smaller dollar amount. Find more details on the county resolving loans. https://solanoedc.org/solano-biz-grow-1/revolving-loan-fund/
Diverse businesses in the Oakland area, such as those own or started by women, minorities, immigrants, veterans, etc. can get free grants from Kaiser Permanente as well as the East Bay Community Foundation. The two non-profits/companies ae offering money to help the disadvantaged start and/or grow a business. Get more details here. https://lookinside.kaiserpermanente.org/kaiser-permanente-helps-small-diverse-oakland-businesses-grow/
San Diego non-profits focused on social issues can apply for free grants from the Equity Impact Grant (EIG) program. The funds are for non-profits that addresses issues such as racism, economic equality, rights of women and similar issues. The Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) and the Institute at the University of San Diego are offering the funds, and apply here. https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cao/oerj/equity-impact-grant.html
Sacramento start-ups and entrepreneurs can apply for the Innovation Incubator and Accelerator Grants. The money will help new companies, with a focus on micro-start ups and even sole proprietorships, get the capital they need. A focus is on those that lack access to capital, often MWBE, immigrant, vets and women in Sacramento. The Office of Innovation and Economic Development processes applications. https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/city-manager/oied
California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program is providing grant money (as much as $2,000) to small businesses with less than 100 employees. Some of the money will be allocated to businesses owned by people of color, but anyone can apply. The goal of the PFL program is to reimburse the business when an employees goes on leave, and get details here. https://californiapfl.com/
May and June 2024
Regarding Her is helping women-owned food and beverage businesses in Los Angeles. The non-profit is providing free grants, mentoring, training, and multi month loan coaching sessions. The funds are for “early stage” businesses (new companies). Up to 20 women owned food businesses (nationwide) will be given $5,000 grants from the service, and find details here. https://www.regardingherfood.org/academy2024
Los Angeles has 2 different programs available this summer to help small businesses, with a focus on women, minority, and those in lower income areas of the city. Both are free throughout the city.
LApreneur, in partnership with government job centers, City’s BusinessSource Centers, and local universities, is a free service for entrepreneurship. They can access online resources or in person, classes, learn about grant programs and more. Find details here. https://ewddlacity.com/index.php/lapreneur
L.A. Optimized is another free program that offers support to small businesses. Components include an Accelerator Academy, coaching programs, minority certifications and also information on raising money among other topics. Get details here. https://www.lacityoptimized.org/
March 2024
Nextdoor Kind Foundation is providing microgrants to hundreds of individuals, non-profits, and groups in LA County. The Los Angeles County Microgrant Program will provide funds to the diverse LA County area, with Hispanics, the Asian community, and others able to get funds. The program is run in partnership with the NAACP, and apply here. https://about.nextdoor.com/nextdoor-kind-foundation/los-angeles-microgrant-program/
January and February 2024
Up to $5,000 per business in grant money is offered in the San Diego council District 4. The money is offered by the San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the city. The goal is to help businesses, with a focus on those owned by people of color, recover from the floods. Learn more here. https://sdblackchamber.org/
Oakland CA Immigrant Micro Business Support Program is for micro and small businesses that are immigrant run/owned in the city. Free grant money, workshops and other support will be provided by City of Oakland’s Economic and Workforce Development Department, Feed the Hunger Fund, and The Unity Council. Learn more here. https://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/immigrant-business-support-program
Non-profits in Contra Costa, Merced, Napa, Solano, and Yolo County can apply for grant money from the Travis Credit Union Foundation. The agencies applying for the Financial Coaching Grant need to be focused on economic development of disadvantaged groups, such as minorities, immigrants, LGTBQ+, veterans and others. Learn more https://www.tcufund.org/grants.html
Find 2023 grants for MWBE business too. The agencies that operated them can serve as a referral or give business owners more information. Locate 2022 MWBE Grants and Loans in California.
By Jon McNamara
