Minorities, including Black, Latinos, and Asians, as well as women owned small business in Connecticut can get financial aid. Find loans from a variety of lenders near you, free grants from the state or federal government (and charities) as well as other funds in Connecticut. Find help near you below, including from charities, banks, corporations, the government and other sources.
Small businesses in Connecticut as well as startups can get assistance, both financial and free consultations. Each and every program is allocated some of the funds to disadvantaged businesses, including minorities, LGBTQ, the disabled, veterans, and female owned businesses. They can get either grants or loans to use to pay for inventory, rent, marketing costs, and other business operating costs. In almost all cases the loans and grants come with ongoing support.
Much of the assistance is for the major cities in Connecticut, including Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and the Fairfield County area. However financial aid, including grants, can be offered to small to mid-sized businesses across the state.
Women or minority businesses loans and free grants in Connecticut
The list of resources below is updated daily with the latest resources. Latino, Asian, Black, minority and women owned businesses can find the help they need in Connecticut.
Year round programs
Women’s Business Development Council in Stamford Connecticut is offering grants ranging from $2500 to $10,000 to women owned as well as minority owned business. The assistance is available statewide. Note the business owner also needs to match funds too. The business needs to have been operating for at least one year, have existing banking relationships, and have an approved plan for the money. The address is 184 Bedford St Ste 201, Stamford, CT 06901. Or dial (203) 353-1750 to learn about the Equity Match Grant Program. In addition to grants, there is sales help, marketing assistance, networking opportunities and other support. Apply or learn more here. https://ctwbdc.org/
August 2021
Hartford businesses can apply for free grants from the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program. In total, just under $1 million dollars will be provided, with the majority of the funds to LGBTQ, minority, and women owned companies. The financial aid is offered from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Capital for Change, and local corporations. There is also counseling, coaching, and other free advice given. The program is known as Capital for Change. Read more. https://www.capitalforchange.org/
November and December 2020
All across the state, the Department of Economic and Community Development is distributing up to $50 million dollars to small businesses from the Connecticut CARES Small Business Grant Program. The funds are for companies impacted by COVID, with free government grants also being reserved for women, black, Latino, and veteran owned businesses. The funds can pay for e-commerce operations, websites, and other material needs. The applying business needs to have had their revenue drop by at least 20% due to COVID. The grants can also help home based businesses, sole-proprietors, and others. Apply here. https://portal.ct.gov/DECD/Content/Coronavirus-Business-Recovery/CT-CARES-Small-Business-Grant-Program
By Jon McNamara
