Find free grants and loans in Florida for MWBE or veteran owned business. There is help for women and minority owned companies, veterans as well as startups or entrepreneurs. The goal is to help businesses that often lack access to capital (mostly Black, Latino, women, etc.) get the financial support and mentoring they need, whether it is a low or no-interest loan or a cash grant. Find small business grants or interest free loans in FL.
Financial assistance, as well as other support (including mentoring, networking, technical help and more) can be offered by non-profits, the federal government or state of Florida, banks, charities, and other groups. Each of the loan, free grant, or assistance programs listed below has committed to allocating some funds to Black, Latino, or any women owned business. There are also funds for Latino, Black, LGBTQ, Veteran, and other minority or disadvantaged groups (MWBE) as well as veterans in Florida. There is also business advice and help for immigrant run organizations.
While many of the small to mid sized resources are based in the cities of Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Palm Beach, and other major cities, there are programs available across the state. There are grants for Black women owned business, immigrants, veterans and others in Florida. Not only may funds be offered, but all agencies also may offer separate counseling, marketing help and other free advice.
Women or minority businesses loans and free grants in Florida
The list below is updated daily with the latest resources for disadvantaged businesses, including BIPOC – Black, Indigenous, People of Color in Florida. The grant and loan programs, as well as other free resources, can help minority or women owned or run companies.
October and November 2024
Center of Anna Maria Island is proving grants tourism related businesses, including disadvantaged small businesses owned by vets, minorities, etc. Up to $500 is providing to qualified businesses as part of the Rock ‘N’ Support hurricane relief grants. The money is for businesses impacted by Helene or Milton, and apply here. https://mywrc.jotform.com/243116034093043
Businesses impacted by hurricane Milton or Helene can get help from the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Of course this is above and beyond funds from FEMA or federal programs. Anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 can be provided to qualified businesses that need low cost, or interest free money to rebuild. Learn more on the FL business assistance programs here. https://floridacommerce.my.site.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/
July 2024 and August 2024
Jacksonville FL Minority owned businesses can apply for $1,000 Micro-Grants. The money is part of a program from the from a partnership Community First Cares Foundation as well as Melanin Market. The program runs up through early 2025. Learn more here. https://www.melanincollaborativegroup.org/grants
Miami District 10 area small businesses can get free grants of $5,000 from the Mom and Pop Small Business Grant Program. The money from the government can help pay for a variety of costs, including advertising, equipment, physical needs of the business as well. Any district 10 based business can apply, including minority, veteran, and women owned. Get details here. https://www.miamidade.gov/district10/releases/2024-07-03-vice-chairman-mom-and-pop-grant.asp
April and May 2024
Residents of Quincy FL can apply for a free $10,000 grant that is offered from the Quincy Community Redevelopment Agency. The money will help businesses in the city update, modernize or repair their physical location. Applicants, including MWBE companies, can dial 850-618-1884 to get more information.
February 2024
Black Leaders who are/will be starting a business an get a free scholarship to help them train, gain skills and an education. The Florida Technical College as well African American Chamber of Commerce are offering the scholarship as well as other grants as part of the Black Opportunity Scholarship. Apply here. https://www.ftccollege.edu/aacccf-scholarship/
December 2023 and January 2024
Forgivable loans are available from the City of Cocoa’s UpStart Business Development Loan Program. Minority and women owned businesses can get up to $15,000. The funds are combined with other support, including access to the weVENTURE Women’s Business Center at Florida Tech for coaching and advice. Apply here. https://www.choosecocoa.org/223/Upstart-Cocoa-Forgivable-Loan
Interest free loans are being offered by the Emergency Bridge Loan Program. This is for small businesses that were harmed by the recent bad weather and tornadoes in FL that took place in January 2024. Apply here.
https://floridacommerce.my.site.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/
City of St. Petersburg’s Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program has applications to their assistance programs. This includes coaching, government contract opportunities and other benefits. Program has applications to their assistance programs. This includes coaching, government contract opportunities and other benefits. It is a pro-diversity program, and apply here. https://www.stpete.org/news_detail_T30_R867.php
Community Foundation is providing free $50,000 grants to non-profits in Northeast Florida. Applicants need to focus on on issues that help girls and women grow, learn, improve education or other aspects of their life. Applications are available to charities and non-profits, and apply here. https://wganefl.org/apply-for-grants-open/
Southwest Florida SCORE has a number of conferences and workshops for women entrepreneurs (as well as other’s). One upcoming service is the Women Entrepreneurs – Positioning Your Business for SUCCESS program. Get help with website development, business plan pitches, grant applications and more. Sign up here. https://www.score.org/southwestflorida/resource/article/women-entrepreneurs-positioning-your-business-success
November 2023
Lakeland minority owned businesses can get free training, and help finding capital, from a service run by Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), and Prospera. The 3 non-profits are offering this service currently and over the next several months. Learn more here. https://www.lakelandcra.net/
October 2023
Port Lucie County, the Indian River State College and Florida Small Business Development Center are providing grants to small businesses. The focus is still on businesses that have been impacted by the COVID pandemic. Up to $10,000 is provided as a grant to each business. Learn more here. https://www.cityofpsl.com/government/departments/emergency-management/covid-19-coronavirus-information/financial-business-resources
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is for businesses, including BIPOC and MWBE, impacted by Hurricane Idalia. 0% interest loans and other financial support is being provided by the state of Florida that need funds to recover from the disaster. Apply here. https://floridacommerce.my.site.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/
August and September 2023
Women United Flagler, which is a partnership of United Way of Volusia-Flagler County as well as the Community Foundation, has grants for non-profits that focus on empowering women, kids and girls’. Anywhere from $250 to $3,000 will be provided. The money is for helping females and kids business wise, educational, arranging social services and more. Apply here. https://uwvfc.communityforce.com/Funds/Search.aspx#4371597136646D517975544F5976596D4E73384E69673D3D
MDEAT is providing free $2,500 grants to Black-owned start ups and entrepreneurs. The financial assistance program from Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust is part of the Business Resource and Educational Grant Program. All applicants need to have been operating for at least 6 months. https://www.miamidade.gov/global/government/trusts/economicadvocacy/home.page
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce has a small business grant fund known as the Opportunities For All program. There is financial help for minority small business owners, women, veterans and nonprofit organizations. Learn more here. https://www.sarasotachamber.com/opportunities-for-all.html
Grants in Orlando and Orange County are available from the Business Opportunities in Orange County for Support and Transformation (BOOST) as well as American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). There is up to $10,000 offered, including to gig workers, small businesses, or sole-proprietors. The funds are to help businesses continue to recover from COVID, and learn more here. https://www.ocfl.net/EconomicDevelopment/SmallBusinessBOOST.aspx
JAX Microfinance Fund provide low-loans, grants, or capital to companies that focus on lending out money. They also focus on disadvantaged businesses in the Duval County FL area, primarily those owned by veterans, LGTBQ, minorities, women or immigrants. The goal is to help make money more affordable to end users, and learn more here. https://www.dupontfund.org/dashboard/jacksonville-microfinance-fund
Miami-Dade County businesses owned by people of color will get help from the Entrepreneurs of Color Fund (EOCF). There is capitol (loans, grants, etc.) as well as other free small businesses services. Applications are processed by Miami Bayside Foundation, The Community Fund of North Miami Dade (CFNMD) and other non-profits. Learn more here. https://miamibaysidefoundation.org/
July 2023
Black Business Loan Program is for businesses that normally can’t get credit due to low credit, lack of bank funding, credit issues, discriminatory lending practice’s or other challenges. The government money from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is for private sector businesses. Black business owners will get loans, equity investments or other financing. Apply here. https://www.floridajobs.org/community-planning-and-development/Small-and-Minority-Business-Resources/Small-and-Minority-Business-Programs/black-business-loan-program
April, May and June 2023
SE Florida businesses can get financial help from the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. The financial help will be for businesses impacted by flooding in Southeastern Florida, including minority, women and veteran owned. The goal is to help businesses during the short term hardship caused by the flooding, and learn more on FL bridge loans here. https://floridajobs.org/news-center/DEO-Press/2023/04/20/icymi-governor-ron-desantis-activates-the-florida-small-business-emergency-bridge-loan-program-making-$5-million-available-for-businesses-impacted-by-flooding-in-southeast-florida
Palm Beach is forgiving COVID relief loans to minority and owned businesses. There is also additional financial help from a First Steps Grant program. The City of West Palm Beach’s Office of Small And Minority/Women Business Office. Between the two programs, the goal is to help disadvantaged businesses continue to get the support they need to succeed in the county and city. All loan forgiveness and free grant money is first come-first served. Get more details here. https://www.wpb.org/our-city/mayor-s-office/office-equal-opportunity
March 2023
City of Boynton Bay is providing free government grants as part of the ARPA Small Business Assistance Program. The funds will go to help businesses that were hit hard by COVID. While the amount of funds paid out will vary based on many factors, some qualified businesses (including those owned by women, veterans or minorities) can get up to $20,000. Find details here. https://weblink.bbfl.us/Forms/ARPASmallBusinessAssistanceGrant
Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust is providing free $10,000 grants to both Black-owned non-profits as well as for-profit businesses in the county. The program is known as Small Minority Black Business Capitalization Grant Program. There will also be community workshops, free training and counseling, and other help for the Black owned organizations in Miami-Dade. The goal it to help minority owned businesses expand and get the capital they need to be successful. Learn more. https://www.miamidade.gov/global/news-item.page?Mduid_news=news167397345708081
April and May 2023
Miami Foundation microgrants, in partnership with Wells Fargo, is available. The funds are for small, minority owned private or non-profit businesses. The free grants can be used to pay for technology, marketing costs, or online operations, among other costs. Learn more on the Miami Foundation microgrants here. https://miamifoundation.org/miamiopenforbusiness/
February 2023
City of Coca has a $10,000 Forgivable Loan for downtown businesses. The funds are for small women or minority owned businesses. The loans are 0% and forgivable, but the business owner needs to attend multiple week training as well as mentoring and meet other conditions. The money can only be used for paying certain approved expenses. The loans can also help a MWBE business start in the city. Learn more here on the Upstart Cocoa Forgivable Loan. https://www.choosecocoa.org/223/Upstart-Cocoa-Forgivable-Loan
November 2022
Orange County is providing over $20 million dollars in grant money to small businesses using funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. KPMG will be working with the county to process applications, distribute money and ensure a fair share of free grants go to minority, veteran, LGTBQ+ and women owned businesses. Read more here. https://www.orangecountync.gov/2800/Orange-County-Grants
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program is for businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian, including agricultural businesses. The money is for small to mid-sized businesses in the coastal regions. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) will be processing applications, and each business can get up to $50,000. Apply here. https://deosera.force.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/
September and October 2022
Miami-Dade County businesses can apply for the Wells Fargo Open for Business Grant program. There are funds for technology companies, real estate, and businesses that invent things/have patents. A major focus is on disadvantaged businesses, such as those owned by people of color, LGTBQ, women and veteran among others. Over $20 million will be paid out over the years, with for-profit and non-profit businesses able to apply. Most of the funds will be microgrants, and read more here. https://www.miamifoundation.org/miamiopenforbusiness
Miami-Dade and Broward County small businesses can apply for free gnats from Comcast RISE program. The funds will be for money and minority owned businesses, including (not not limited too), Hispanic, Black, Indigenous, and Asian American owned small businesses. Each business can be provided up to $10,000. However Comcast also provides other technology solutions (in addition to the financial help) such as free internet programs, marketing and more. Apply here. https://www.comcastrise.com/
July and August 2022
African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida has a pitch competition for Black owned businesses in the region. Winners, mostly entrepreneurs, will be given assistance to help launch or grow their business. There will be access to funds, skills training, workshops and other assistance programs to the winner of the pitch. It is a yearly event. Apply to the Accelerate competition here. https://programs.interise.org/accelerate-central-florida/#lp-pom-box-134
City Of Orlando offers grants, marketing help, and more from the Minority/Women Entrepreneur Business Assistance (MEBA). A major focus is to help minority, women, and veteran owned businesses stay in the city. or help new companies relocate to the city. The financial aid from the free government grants are combined with other forms of assistance as well. Learn more here. https://www.downtownorlando.com/Business/Incentives/MinorityWomen-Entrepreneur-Business-Assistance-MEBA-Program
Banesco USA (in Miami) is providing low cost (or interest free loans) to small businesses that have at least 2 years of operating history. The funds are part of the federal government Emergency Capital Investment Program. Financial help is focused on minority owned businesses as well as those from disadvantaged parts of Miami-Dade County. Find more on the loan programs here. https://banescousa.com/
Community Fund of North Miami Dade is providing grants, low cost and/or forgivable loans to small businesses in the Miami Gardens area. Formula One, Truist, and Opa-locka Community Development Corporation are partners, with the goal to help small (in particular black owned businesses) in the Miami Gardens area. It will help businesses get the capital they need as well as access to coaching, mentoring, technical help and much more. Find details on the Community Fund programs here. https://www.cfnmd.org/
West Palm Beach has the Small and Minority/Women Business COVID-19 Recovery Assistance Program. This provides micro-loans or free government grant money to businesses with the city of West Palm Beach. Applicants need to be small businesses (under 1 million in revenue), have been in operation for at least 18 months, were negatively impacted by the COVID pandemic and meet other application criteria as well. Apply here. https://www.wpb.org/government/office-of-mayor-keith-a-james/office-of-small-and-minority-woman-business-programs/loan-recovery-assistance-program
NW Florida black owned businesses, including in Pensacola, can apply for $1500 grants from an organization known as Bantucola. A number of donors are working with Bantucola to help Black male and women owned businesses access the capital they need. All applying Black owned businesses must be located in the region, including counties of Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, or Washington County Florida. Apply for the free grants here. https://bantucola.com/grants/
May and June 2022
Manufacturing businesses in Lee County can get technical help, information, and possibly grants from the Southwest Florida Manufacturers Association (SRMA) as well Lee County Economic Development Office. The assistance program is aimed at businesses, including those owned by women, veterans, or minorities, who operate in lower or moderate income parts of Lee County. The funds are also a form of COVID relief and can help manufacturing businesses that were greatly impacted by the pandemic. There is also information on international sales, business planning, opening new markets and other aid. More details here. https://srma.net/arpa-lee-county/
March and April 2022
St. Pete area businesses, that need to make physical improvements to their property, can apply for a free $7500 grant from the city. The financial assistance is part of the St. Pete Beach Business Site Improvement Program. The funds can pay for landscaping, code enforcement needs of a building, parking lot improvements, roadwork, and much more. Some funds will be allocated to disadvantaged businesses, including veteran, women, and minority among others. Find details and applications here. https://www.tampabaybeaches.com/BSIP/
Miami-Dade businesses can receive a free grant from the Mom and Pop Small Business program. It is available throughout the city, by district. The grant money can be used to pay for advertising, rent, operating costs, marketing, website development, and several other approved expenses. The Mom and Pop grants are even offered for sole-proprietors, but minority, veteran, Latino and woman owned businesses are given priority. Apply here. https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1471548035447835
February and March 2022
City of West Palm Beach minority and women owned businesses (that are small in size) can apply for microloans of up to $20,000. The money is being provided as part of the COVID-19 Recovery Assistance Program. All applicants need to be small in size (under 1 million in revenue) and be MWBE owned. In addition, the low interest and/or free microloans are focused on helping businesses recover from the Pandemic – meaning applicants need to have been impacted by COVID. Apply here and learn more. https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/2480/
Women owned businesses in the area of University of South Florida, University of Florida and Florida Tech can get assistance from an Incubator program. There may be financial help, guidance, Business development support or coaching and much more. The assistance is for any business, that is women owned, in the central Florida area. Find details. https://incubator.ucf.edu/launch-your-startup/
January 2022
Miami-Dade Beacon Council is offering financial help, free coaching, and other support to dozens of “existing” businesses in Miami-Dade County, with a focus on minority, Latino, women, veteran, and the “underserved” community. The organization is committed to helping as many as 100 companies. There will be partnerships arranged, financial help in the form of grants or loans, networking events, help with business plan development and much more. The company needs to be existing and just need help to bring their business to the “next level”. Read more. https://www.beaconcouncil.com/
October and November 2021
MWBE businesses in West Palm Beach can apply for microloans ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. The interest rate will vary, but it will be lower than other sources of capital. The main goal is to help small businesses overcome any financial hardship they have incurred from the pandemic. Dial 561-822-1273, or read about the low cost loan program. https://www.wpb.org/government/procurement
September and October 2021
Women owned businesses can apply for $10,000 grants from Bank United. The regional lender is running a financial aid program canned Small Business, Big Dreams – Women in Business. The goal is to provide capital to help women owned businesses, whether Black, Latina, White, etc. get the funds they need to start or grow a company. Judges will decide the winners. Learn more. https://www.bankunited.com/small-business/small-business-big-dreams-challenge/
February 2021, March 2021, and April 2021
Tampa Bay businesses that are owned by a woman, veteran, disabled, minority or LGBTQ person can apply for free $50,000 grants from an assistance program known as Backing the Bay. The grants are intended to help a disadvantaged business pay for marketing costs and advertising so that they can grow their sales. The Tampa Bay Lighting and partners are paying for the program. Read more. https://www.nhl.com/lightning/community/backing-the-bay
Leon County and Tallahassee minority and/or female owned businesses can apply for Microloans from the FAMU Credit Union. Up to $50,000 can be borrowed (while funding lasts). The money comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES). There is also help for borrowers with limited or bad credit. The interest rates will be very low, even a low as one to three percent. To learn or apply call (850) 222-4541.
PPP Loans (round 2) will help businesses that have been hit by COVID. Black, women, Latino, and other minority or disadvantaged businesses can apply first. There are hundreds of banks, non-profits, and credit unions across Florida that accept applications. Use the free government grants to pay rent, payroll, and other bills. Read more. https://floridasbdc.org/disaster/cares-act/sba-ppp/
October – November 2020
Broward County and/or Coral Springs Black Business Owners can get financial help. The Black Chamber of Commerce and Fiserve are helping minority, Black men and women owned businesses across Broward County. Each qualified business, or startup, will be given at most $10,000. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMINEc2WztQqTruNnazZ6lR7q5Wx69Mob4WIZLaJBFt7DRbQ/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0fP0ikoeD_106izuQxPnJGLmIqIF4dT5SwCusi_P3RN9oY_7pHjU80XEA
Tampa Bay area and the Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women is assisting female business owners and entrepreneurs., regardless of their race. The CARES project helps owners find, and apply for the capital they need for their business. There are also networking events, women’s leadership programs and other services. http://thecentre.org/
By Jon McNamara
