Small business owners and entrepreneurs in Nebraska can get assistance from 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 where and how to get free grants as well as small business loans near you in Nebraska below.
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/
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/
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
