Year round financial resources for small businesses in South Carolina

There are many financial assistance programs as well as organizations that operate year round. Find details below by “category”, including by city/county/geography in SC. The programs, or non-profits, give out free grant money or help people get money for their business. Other support is also arranged too, such as coaching and more.

Statewide MWBE and veteran assistance programs

CommunityWorks operates across South Carolina. They are a non-profit, CDFI that provides a number of assistance programs to underserved small businesses, including women, LGTBQ, veteran and minority-owned. There are low cost and/or interest free loans, free coaching programs, business plan development and more. They also operate a Women’s Business Center in Greenville and provide referrals and whatever support the business needs. Learn more on CommunityWorks in SC here. https://communityworkscarolina.org/

Minority Business Accelerator is offered in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville SC. It is a multi-faceted program launched in partnership with Interise StreetWise ‘MBA’. MWBE and BIPOC as well as veteran owned businesses can get free coaching, referrals to financing (both free grants or loans), training and other assistance. Select a city for information. Charleston area – www.charlestonchamber.org; Columbia area – https://www.columbiachamber.com/; Greenville area – http://greenvillechamber.org/

South Carolina Small Business Center (SMSBC) has a number of assistance programs for small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs. There are additional resources for MWBE as well as a Veterans Business Program (VBP) for former service member. The staff at SMSBC can help with everything from business plan development to applications to free government grants, market research, raising capital, online marketing and more. Free mentoring is also offered to clients, including women, minorities, and veterans. Find details on SMSBC here. https://www.scsbdc.com

South Carolina Community Loan Fund helps small businesses in low-income communities as well as those that lack access to capital. They are a non-profit CDFI that focuses its programs on LGTBQ+, veteran, minority and women-owned businesses. Get low-interest or 0% loans or enroll into business workshops. There is technical help, one on one coaching from loan officers and more. Offices are in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville. Continue reading here. https://sccommunityloanfund.org/

Charleston SC and low-country free loans, grants and funds for MWBE businesses

Charleston SC has a dedicated office that helps MWBE companies. There is assistance with getting grants or other capital, including loans. Or find business opportunities such as contracting with the city or certification. There is free counseling, training programs, help starting a business and more from the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Office in Charleston. Read more here. https://www.charleston-sc.gov/127/Minority-Women-Owned-Business-Enterprise

The City of Charleston has an organization that focuses on supporting minority as well as women owned businesses. There is an group known as The Minority Business Enterprise Advisory. The organization provides information on applying for financial assistance including free government grants or SBA loans, business development workshops, mentoring resources, business plan development and more. Find details on the female, Asian, Black, Veteran and minority organization here. https://www.charleston-sc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=829

The Harbor Entrepreneur Center in Mt Pleasant / Charleston helps small businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs. There are many services offered, including an annual accelerator program, occasional grants and investment opportunities, business pitches, MWBE certification and more. Get details here. https://harborec.com/

Lowcountry Local First (LLF) provides support to disadvantaged businesses, including access to interest free loans as a KIVA partner. They help facilitate coworking spaces, help mentoring BIPOC and women owned businesses, and give other support around economic development in the Charleston SC and surrounding area. Earn more here. https://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/

Midlands SC loans, grants and business assistance

Aiken Business Coalition Entrepreneurship Program helps small businesses grow and/or get started.  The ABCE is offered in partnership with the Aiken County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and other local businesses. There is information on grants and loans as well as other support around Bookkeeping & Record keeping, Credit Essentials, branding and more.  Find details here. https://www.cityofaikensc.gov/#businesses

Columbia SC Benedict College Women’s Center is part of the Minority Business Development Agency, with a focus on people of color, women, and veterans. There is access to capital, including loans and grants; peer to peer business mentoring; help for creative businesses and more. Learn about the non-profit here. https://bcwbc.org/

OneSpartanburg (Power Up Spartanburg) has a number of small business development programs, including grants, loan, MWBE certification and more. Get access to subject matter experts, Power Up University and other programs. Learn about the non-profit here. https://www.onespartanburginc.com/

Women’s Business Center of Columbia SC offers a number of programs. There are networking events, information on applying to micro-loans and government free grants, coaching, use of a business center and more. They help women owned companies (Black, Latino, White, Asian, etc.) or any race. https://www.columbiasc.edu/community/womens-business-center

Upstate SC, including Greenville free grant money

MEDI, or the Greenville SC based Minority Economic Development Institute, helps minority, Black or Hispanic businesses and other disadvantaged companies. There are free workshops around education or starting a business. Or learn about applying for grants or interest free or bank loans and raising ,MEDI offers a number of programs statewide Learn more here. http://www.mediigreenville.org/services.php

Urban League of Upstate SC (based in Greenville) provides support to minority owned businesses and African Americans. There is workforce development, entpreuner centers, referrals to business grant programs and more. A major focus is on economic development, including long term support. Learn more here. https://urbanleagueupstate.org/our-programs/

By Jon McNamara