Disadvantaged businesses that are based in Maryland can get free grants or interest free loans. There is financial help, ongoing support (including coaching or counseling), technical assistance (marketing, sales help, etc.) and much more for minorities and women owned companies. Find free small business grants or loans in MD near you.
The assistance, including from the government, non-profits, banks, or corporations, is for small to mid-sized businesses as well as startup companies. A focus is on the disadvantaged, including veterans, LGBTQ, Black or Latino owned, Asian companies, and others. However, any business in Maryland can apply for funds or technical help.
The list of grant programs, loans, government assistance programs and other resources listed below is updated daily. Most of the funds are paid out to qualified applicants on a first come-first served basis, with priority to MWBE as well as BIPOC owned business – meaning women, people of color, Black, Latino and veteran companies. However referrals and counseling can also be arranged.
Find Maryland grant and loan programs for minorities and women owned businesses
Any business can apply, regardless of gender, race, age, or ethnicity. All of the charities, lenders, or government agencies will allocate some of the funds to female owned companies as well as minorities. Or it is possible to attend free workshops, classes, networking events, and other small business development programs.
April, May and June 2025
Cannabis Business Assistance Fund is for any small business in the Cannabis Industry. Loans, grant money and other support is arranged by the state. A major focus is on funding minority, veteran and women owned businesses that are involved in the industry, but a business of any race can apply with details here. https://commerce.maryland.gov/fund/programs-for-businesses/cannabis-business-assistance-fund
The City of Tacoma Park Green Homes and Businesses Grant is available to small businesses with a physical location. The money will help pay for energy improvements to the property, help businesses reduce utility costs and similar updates. Some funds will be allocated to MWBE and veteran owned business too with details here https://takomaparkmd.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=174 and application here. https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/1281ef807bca4751a5fcaffae5ed094a
Baltimore restaurants, that are based downtown, can get grants from the city run Baltimore Culinary Exchange. There are 2 different grants issued, including one for operational costs with as much as 40K provided. The second grant is for bills around property improvements. The money is focused but all is for downtown based restaurants with applications here. https://dpob.tfaforms.net/5045853
BGE Energizing Small Business Grants is being run in partnership with Hello Alice, and small businesses with less than 25 employees and under 7 million in annual revenue can apply for a free $20,000 grant. Applicants to the grants also need to be a BGE electric and/or gas customer, and find more details here. https://www.bge.com/doing-business-with-us/economic-development/bge-grants
February and March 2025
Montgomery and Prince George’s county businesses that are negatively impacted by the Purple Line corridor construction (within a 1/4 mile of it) can apply for grant money from the DOT. There are free government grants for any small businesses, whether minority or not, in the region with applications here. https://purplelinemd.com./
December 2024 and January 2025
Montgomery County has 2 different grant programs for businesses, including the disadvantaged. The money is disbursed from the Technology Innovation Fund and the Founders Fund. The Founders Fund is for historically underrepresented communities that lack fair access to capital, including MWBE, veterans and women. Get details here. https://thinkmoco.com/
Maryland Soft Landing Exchange program includes $10,000 grants as well as help to develop international business opportunities. The state is help small businesses, including disadvantaged ones, grow their sales and expand (or start) international operations. Learn more on the Exchange program here. https://commerce.maryland.gov/soft-landing-exchange
There are also older grants and loans that were issued, and find previous years MWBE grants and loans in Maryland.
By Jon McNamara
