Small business owners and entrepreneurs in Nebraska can get assistance from free grants, loans, and free counseling services. There are resources also allocated to women, minorities (including Black, Latino, migrant workers, Asians, etc.) as well as veteran run businesses. Find free grants for MWBE or veteran owned businesses as well as small business loans near you in Nebraska.
There may be funds from the government, including the USDA for agricultural businesses or farmers. Or find where to get free small business advice, whether help selling online, technical assistance, sales help, and business plan development among other services. Each charity, non-profit, or government agency listed below will also be allocating loans or grants to minorities as well as women, as they want to ensure that disadvantage small businesses get the funds and assistance they need.
Funds are allocated across the state of Nebraska, with most agencies located in Omaha and Lincoln. However, there are government or charitable grants, loans (including microlenders and USDA services) across the state which help veterans, women, LGBTQ, and minority owned small to mid-sized businesses.
Find business loans or free grants in Nebraska for small business and entrepreneurs
The list below is updated daily. New financial assistance programs (grants or loans) as well as counseling, workshops, and small business resources are rolled out monthly.
Year round financial assistance programs
The Carver Legacy Center helps the Black community in Omaha. They help residents who are interested in (1) starting a business or (2) buying a home. A major focus is on helping the Black community get loans, financial aid, grants, and other aid. There are also workshops, pop-up shops, financial empowerment and other help coordinated with the American National Bank too. Read more on the center. https://www.carverlegacycenter.com/
Interest free loans (0% APR) are available in the city of Lincoln. Kiva, a non-profit micro-loan crowd funding platform that operates worldwide, is partnering with the Economic Development Certified Community in Lincoln to provide small business, 0% interest rate loans. A focus is on giving money to women, veterans, LGTBQ, minorities and disadvantaged businesses. Learn more here. https://www.doane.edu/programs/entrepreneurship/go-for-launch
Latino Small Business Program helps immigrants and US citizens start and/or grow a business. There is business development, information on government grants or loans from low-cost lenders, Legal support, help with LLC or business filing, marketing and more., The center also helps people raise money, as noted, for their Nebraska business. Continue reading https://extension.unl.edu/entrepreneurship/programs-adult/latino-small-business-program
Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development provides help to small businesses, with many programs focus on micro-enterprises as well as businesses with under 5 employees. There will throughout the year be grant money,, some financial help targeted to MWBE companies, veteran grants, workshops on how to start or grow a business and more. Many of the services are focused on Lincoln Nebraska, but many programs expand beyond the metro area as well. Find details here. http://www.lincolnpartners.org/
Nebraska Business Development Center, or NBDC, is a free service for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Get free business coaching, including from women or people of color. There is also information on grants, loans, Government Contracting (APEX) opportunities and other services. Learn about the center here. https://www.unomaha.edu/nebraska-business-development-center/index.php
December 2024
The Front Royal Women’s Resource Center (FRWRC), in partnership with the Warren Memorial Hospital Foundation, is providing grants to women owned businesses, not profits, or educational needs. The program is known as Dare to Dream, with scholarships given for educational needs and grant given to women owned businesses. Learn more here. https://frwrc.org/
June 2024
The Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act is helping both existing and newly created businesses (start ups). In aggregate the state will be provide over $4 millions dollars from this program, with each qualified businesses able to get as much as $25,000 (depending on the business age). The program is part of GROW Nebraska, and get more details here. https://grownebraska.org/nebraska-small-business-assistance-act/
January and February 2024
The Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act Program is providing free government grants or low cost (interest free) loans. The funds are offered by GROW Nebraska as well as Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Thousands of dollars will be offered to each business, including women owned, those owned by Native Americans, veterans and others. Get details on the programs here. https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/ded-and-grow-nebraska-announce-statewide-availability-of-the-nebraska-small-business-assistance-act-program-invite-pre-applications-for-program-benefits/
August and September 2023
Omaha Turnback Tax Grant is available. Up to $10,000 is provided to each qualified non-profit or small business, with funding also available for MWBE and veteran owed organizations. The grants are aimed at organizations that will grow and bring people to the Omaha region. https://www.douglascounty-ne.gov/turnback-tax-application
March 2022
The state of Nebraska is providing free grants to businesses impacted by COVID, with a focus on small companies, MWBE owned businesses, ad those in the service industry. The funds are part of American Rescue Funds. There may be money for restaurants, hotels, gyms, fitness centers, pubs, hair dressers and others. The Chamber of Commerce and other non-profits are processing applications. Continue reading. https://www.nechamber.com/loan-and-grant-assistance.html
By Jon McNamara
