Find government programs, banks, companies, and non-profit organizations that issue interest-free loans or free grant money to minority, veteran or women owned businesses. The small business or start up financial assistance is offered in every state. Each lender will vary in their application process, however the loans or grants will prioritize black owned businesses, women, LGTBQ+, Latinos, veterans, Black owned and disadvantaged groups. Get a free grant or loan in for MWBE or veteran businesses.
There are also funds for people that lack access to capital due to credit or other barriers. There may also be small business grants or funds for businesses or entrepreneurs with bad or limited credit histories. In general, the funds can be used by an existing small business to help them grow. Or some national lenders or organizations (such as non-profits) will provide loans or grants to entrepreneurs and start up companies. Generally, most of the organizations will also provide some type of free advice or mentoring services to help the business as well.
National free small business grants and loans offered today
Find an ongoing list below of different sources of funds for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) as well as MWBE (Minority/Women-owned) businesses. It will be updated with new announcements each and every day.
A number of organizations offer financial assistance to historically disadvantaged start ups or small businesses. Everything listed below, including from a non-profit or charity, is offered in every state. The goal is to ensure businesses owned by Black women or men, Hispanics, women, immigrants or veterans have the resources they need – including money from a grant or interest free loan.
April and May 2025
Black Ambition Prize provides grant money, mentoring and support to disadvantaged businesses, with a focus on Black owned businesses. Pharrell Williams provides funding as well as other local partners and non-profits. The program also helps with digital marketing and so much more, with applications here. https://blackambitionprize.com/apply-now
This Woman Knows Grant is for women entrepreneurs, artists, or those involved in a creative business. It is an ongoing, relatively small dollar amount provided monthly with the goal to help women owned businesses, or even non-profits, grow and expand with applications here. https://thiswomanknows.com/grant/
2025 Enthuse Foundation Grant Program is helping women small businesses or start ups that are involved in consumer businesses. There are different types of grants and money allocated, whether for digital marketing, building out an online store or other costs with details here. https://us.fundsforngos.org/grant-2/2025-enthuse-foundation-grant-program/
Skip is an online platform that is providing $10,000 grants to small businesses. There is a sign-up, application process as it is an online marketplace with multiple financing packages offered. More details are here. https://helloskip.com/funding-details/skip-10k-member-5
RestorHER microgrant is for women owned small businesses and/or entrepreneurs. The money is aimed at helping the business expand with the grant used for growth oriented investments. Learn more here. https://cheyathousand.com/micro-grant
Several states are covered by the $2,000 grants being issued from the Southern Black Girls Resistance and Resilience Black Girls Defense Fund. The money is aimed at helping organizations (whether non-profits or businesses) that are working to maintain the rights of Black girls in a number of southern states. A total of 13 states are supported an get details on the $2,000 grants here. https://www.southernblackgirls.org/bgdefensefund/
A $5000 grant from Black Women Photographers and Flickr is for a small, Black women owned business or organization. There is an entry process that involves submission of work, a “pitch” and other criteria as well as membership in the Black Women Photographers Flickr Group. Learn more on the grant program here. https://blackwomenphotographers.com/smugmug-flickr
Small Black-owned businesses can apply for grants from the The Famous Amos Ingredients for Success (IFS) Entrepreneurs Initiative. A pitch is required from applicants, with tens of thousands of dollars provided. There is also free educational support, mentoring services and networking given as well as the grant money, and get details here. https://famousamosingredientsforsuccess.com/
Andie Wave Maker Incubator is providing grant money top women owned business/founders. A grant of $5,000 is offered as well as thousands of dollars in legal aid and consultation. The money is for female businesses or start ups with a unique model and the money is combined with mentorship and more, and get details here. https://andieswim.com/pages/andie-wave-makers-program
March 2025
Faire is offering $5,000 grants (in the form of products) for retailers. This will help small businesses that operate a store, whether MWBE or veteran owned, get started. Learn more on the $5,000 Faire grant https://www.faire.com/small-business-grant
EmpowerHer is a grant program for women owned businesses. The grant money is from Suzy Levian and is aimed at offering help to small businesses during Women’s History Month. Other programs include scholarships, job training and more with details here. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0251/2093/1891/files/EmpowerHer_by_Suzy_Levian.pdf?v=1738783110
COLTURE is providing several $10,000 grants to underserved women owned businesses as part of the Empower U Grant. As many as 5 businesses will get funds as well as 12 months of mentoring. Find details on applying. https://www.empowerugrant.com/
March 2025
$20,000 grants from Rémy Martin are offered in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, or New York City. A major focus is on disadvantaged, creative businesses including those owned by people of color. This is a regional grant program with applications here. https://helloalice.com/grants/remy-martin-this-is-my-city-grant-program/
Honeycomb Credit is providing a $10,000 grant. The non-profit credit union is trying to help small businesses, with one grant (and other resources) being provided. Learn more here. https://www.honeycombcredit.com/breakthrough
January and February 2025
Black History Makers Grant from Cititrends is a $5,000 grant for Black owned businesses. The program is to celebrate Black History month, with the funds aimed at helping a small disadvantaged business get the capital they need to expand. Apply here. https://cititrends.com/bhm/
Hiring Our Heroes’ Small Business Grant Program is for veterans and/or the spouse. Five businesses will each be given $10,000. Federal express, USAA Small Business Insurance AND THE Community Foundation of Greater Memphis will offer help to vets so they can start or grow a business. Apply here. https://www.hiringourheroes.org/small-business-grant/
Enthuse Foundation has tens of thousands of dollars of grants to provide (based on the results of a pitch and other criteria) in cities including Austin, Chicago, Minneapolis, NYC, and LA among other cities. The grant money is for women owned businesses and is part of Women’s History Month as well as an Amazon partnership. More details here https://www.enthusefoundation.org/
The Citizens’ Small Business Community Champion Awards is for current customers of the regional lender. Those with a small business can apply for a free, $10,000 grant, with diverse business owner encouraged to apply as well. The free grant is for current clients of the bank and get details here. https://www.citizensbank.com/small-business/small-business-community-champion.aspx
Minority, women and veteran owned agricultural businesses, including farmers, can apply for the Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program. Walmart and the Watson Institute are partnering on it. Applicants can get a grant for $1,000 as well as several month long workshops, which helps with business development and other needs. Learn more https://watson.is/retail-readiness-entrepreneurship-training-program/
Women owned businesses and entrepreneurs can apply for the free $5K Pitch Perfect Grant. The goal is to help female founders get access to the capital they need, with a focus on start ups. Apply here https://helloskip.com/funding-details/pitchperfect
Santander Cultivate Small Business is helping women owned businesses in several states, including NY, MA, FL, TX and others. Grants of up to $100,000 can be provided as well as mentoring, multiple weeks counseling services and more. The money is for BIPOC owned food restaurants as well as LGTBQ+ and women owned. Apply here. https://www.santanderus.com/cultivate-small-business/
Dairy Farmers in the Northeastern US, in particular disadvantaged farmers (including MWBE, vets, etc.) can apply for the Dairy Farm Improvement and Modernization Grant. The amount of financial help given ranges from 15K up to $100K. This grant program is only for dairy businesses in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont, with farmers of color and women owned encouraged to apply here. https://nedairyinnovation.com/grants/farm-improvement-modernization/
SecretSOS is providing at minimum one $2,500 grant to a qualified small business or start up. In addition to the funding the organization has other programs for small businesses or entrepreneurs, including those owned by people of color. Find more details here. https://secretsos.net/SOS_Grant/
By Jon McNamara