Find where and how to get free grants or loans for your business below. There are funds allocated to women, Latino, LGBTQ, Black, and other minority owned businesses in New York . Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and start up companies may be able to get financing from a number of lenders. Find programs from lenders, corporations, banks, non-profits and other agencies that may be near you.
The loans and/or grants for calendar year 2022 are for any small to medium sized business that meets the lenders application criteria. However each of the programs listed below will allocate some (or all) of the funds to women and/or minority owned businesses in New York state. Not only may capital be given to the small business owner, including MWBE and BIPOC, but the organizations also give other support. This may include, but is not limited too, free mentoring, technical support, help creating business plans, networking advice and so much more. All of this assistance will be free.
There are business loans and free grants across the state. There are options in the New York City area as well as major citizens of Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and other cities or towns. Minority owned (or run companies) as well as women and veteran can apply for financial aid and counseling from an agency near them.
Find business loans as well as free grants for women or minorities in New York
The list of resources below is updated daily. Everything from grants, free counseling, microloans, financing and more may be offered. As noted, priority is given to disadvantaged groups in New York. This may include veterans, Black owned businesses, Latinos, women run companies and others.
Year round financial aid programs, free grants as well as mentoring services
Several financial assistance programs, grant and SMB support is offered year round, as noted immediately below by category (city, county, etc.). In addition, continue to scroll down the page to find loans, grants, and other resources that operate each and every month in 2022.
Statewide BIPOC and MWBE small business financial aid programs, loans, and support
Empire Sate Development operates in all cities, towns, and counties. While they operate a number of businesses development programs (tax abatements, corporate relocations, interest free loans, job training, etc.) they also operate the Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development. They help businesses certify, can direct owners to various capital programs that assist with small business financing, help MWBE businesses in NY win government contracts and more. Read about the government organization here. https://esd.ny.gov/doing-business-ny/mwbe
Small – micro-businesses that are minority owned can get low cost, or interest free loans. The financial assistance is from the state of NY Micro Enterprise Loan Fund Program, and applicants need to have less than 100K in annual revenue as well as be Black owned, veteran, LGTBQ, women owned or other minorities (Latino, Asian, etc.). The loans are issued from banks, credit unions, and other qualified lenders. Find more details on microloans in NY here. https://esd.ny.gov/micro-enterprise-loan-fund-program
Central New York free business grants, counseling, and other resources
Cornell Small Farms Program helps farmers only in the Central NY area. There are free educational resources, training programs, mandatory online training classes and more. The goal is to help small farmers, including those owned by people of color or women, get the no-interest loans they need as well as coaching/counseling/support. The Farm program offers financial help and interest free loans as part of KIVA. Read more here. https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/
The Central New York Community Foundation is providing financial help to Black owned businesses in Syracuse, Onondaga County and nearby regions. The assistance program is known as the Black Equity and Excellence Fund. Grants, loans, coaching services and other aid can go to non-profits, charities, businesses hat focus on education or tech companies and others. Female, Black owned businesses as well as those started/owned by Black Males can apply. More information here. https://cnycf.org/equity#.YAV6u-hKhM1 or use this link https://cnycf.org/receive/grants/black-equity-excellence/
Ithaca New York BIPOC businesses (Black, Indigenous and people of color) can get help starting a business from Black Hands Universal. The local non-profit assists with home buying, business start ups, and provide other free services, including information on how to get Capital for a business. Read more on the non-profit. https://www.blackhandsuniversal.com/
Syracuse University – Institute for Veterans and Military Families has a team of over 100 people that help veterans. There are entrepreneurship classes, job training, and information on raising capital from grants and loans. They are also a Kiva microloan lender. Programs include Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) Accelerator, Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship, Boots to Business, business classes for veteran families and more. https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/
New York City and downstate area assistance programs for minorities, immigrants, women and others
Citizens Committee for New York City (CitizensNYC) provides microgrants of up to $10,000. The financial assistance can be used for payroll, rent, and other business operations. The non-profit focuses on helping Black, Indigenous, and People of Color owned businesses as well as immigrant, Asian, and women owned companies in NYC. They also work with other lenders, such as Wells Fargo, to provide capital. Continue reading. https://www.citizensnyc.org/
Grameen America provides capital to women with a focus on those from disadvantaged communities and parts of NYC. They provide small microloans to help women start and grow a business, with a goal of females (including women of color and immigrants) getting the capital they need. The loans may be interest free and combined with coaching, workshops and other support. More details here. https://www.grameenamerica.org/
Harlem Commonwealth Council helps Black Owned businesses in Harlem. They offer low cost microloans, run a Business Solution Center, operate a learning lab and adult education center, minority certification programs and more. The goal is to help the Black community launch and/or grow a business. The Harlem Entrepreneurial Fund (HEF) is a small dollar loan/financial help that can be a form of Capital. Get details here. https://www.harlemcommonwealth.org/
Long Island African-American Chamber of Commerce has many services for Black owned businesses in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Brooklyn County. They have free mentoring services, MWBE certification programs, Small Business Community Centers and Navigators to help. Also get information on raising money, loans, grants and more. Learn about Long Island non-profit here. https://liaacc.org/
Minority Women in Business Association of Staten Island provides support to women and well as women of color. There are mentoring and networking services, fund raisers held, MWBE certifications and help gaining government or city business contracts for revenue. Free training, referrals to grants or capital and other aid is given. Find details here. https://www.mwbasi.org/
Nassau County small businesses, including women, veteran, and minority owned, can get financial help from Boost Nassau. This is a multi-faceted program that will offer everything from emergency funds to loans, referrals to government grants, and other assistance. Whether mentoring, help with business plan development or networking, or something else, resources are offered. Read more. https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/boostnassau
New York City (all boroughs) – The WE Fund Crowd offers crowdfunding services as well as interest free loans in partnership with the not for profit Kiva. Small to mid-sized businesses, as well as start-ups, can borrow up to several thousands dollars. Financial help is for immigrants, minorities, LGBTQ businesses and NYC owners with bad credit. A major focus is on giving funds to people who lack access to banks or other capital, which tends to be inner city or Black, Latino, and the Asian community among others. Get low cost loans at this site. https://we.nyc/we-fund/we-fund-crowd/
New York City Asian owned businesses that focus on social causes, art, inclusion, and similar topics can apply for grants from Asian Women Giving Circle (AWGC). A major focus is on helping Asian women and dealing with the challenges that Asians face in NYC and nationwide. The financial assistance is offered in each. Learn more here. http://asianwomengivingcircle.org/apply/
New York City (all boroughs) has a program that assists Black Owned Businesses. The United Way has created the Together We Thrive (TWT) service. There are referrals to financial aid programs as well as other support services. Get help with digital marketing, one on one mentoring, technical help, free legal advice, incubator services and more. Continue reading. https://www.togetherwethrivenyc.org/services
New York City (all boroughs) has a Business Solutions Center program. The city helps businesses start, grow, and operate in the city. Some of the centers also provide interest free loans (0% APR) in partnership with non-profits such as Kiva. They also offer coaching, information on marketing resources and networking, computer as well as website development assistance and many other small business programs. Find a center here. https://maps.nyc.gov/sbs/
New York City Asian owned businesses can turn to Renaissance Economic Development Corporation. There are a number of small business services offered, including no cost or interest free loans, training programs, counseling and more. There are multiple offices to help Asian businesses owners as well as entrepreneurs, including locations in Queens/Flushing, Manhattan, Chinatown and other area. The non-profit works on opening business opportunities for Asian community. More details here. https://renaissance-ny.org/
NYC Small Business Resource Network helps small businesses in the city, with many of the clients being minority, immigrant, and/or women owned businesses. A number of free services are offered, including (1) digital marketing help; (2) business planning assistance; (3) applications to free government grant programs or help finding affordable loans and so much more. Many of the programs are a public-private partnership. Learn about the network here. https://www.nycsmallbusinessresourcenetwork.org/
Queens Economic Development Corporation has several assistance programs for anyone who wants to start or grow a business. A focus is on disadvantaged businesses, such as those owned by people of color, veterans, women, or immigrants. There is a Women’s Business Center, information on MWBE certification, details on local and national grant programs, and Entrepreneurship Assistance center and more. They also help businesses in the restaurant industry or contractors with free training and workshops. Learn more here. https://queensny.org/
Westchester County small businesses as well as entrepreneurs can apply for microloans from Kiva and the Launch1000 program. The Westchester County Office of Economic Development and Entrepreneurship and Innovation center are part of the financial aid program. The funds can help small businesses that do not get traditional funding, which is often veteran, LGBTQ, women, and minority companies or those with bad credit. All of the funds will have a zero percent interest rate. Other incubator programs are offered too, including free coaching from Westchester Rises. Find more information. https://westchestercatalyst.com/business-first-programs/
Northern NY small business grants, interest free loans, and free business resources
Northern New York Community Foundation is a non-profit that will, from time to time, provide free grants to other charities or non-profit. The financial assistance, social as well as business services are offered in the counties of Jefferson, Lewis, as well as St. Lawrence. A focus is on educational businesses, advocacy organizations, arts and culture, and other non-profits with a “social” cause. Learn more. https://www.nnycf.org/grants/grant-information/
Western New York MWBE programs
Beverly Gray Business Exchange Center, which is based in Buffalo and serves small businesses in Erie County, is a resource. The help businesses that are veteran owned (SDVOB) as well as M/WBE, or Women and Minority companies. There is help with financing (either loans or grants), certification as M/WBE, startup help and other services. Erie County, Niagara County, and other western NY regions are supported too. Apply here. https://beverlygraycenter.com/
Buffalo Women’s Business Center (at Canisius College) helps female, women veteran, and minority women (Black, Latina, etc.). There are certification programs, free mentoring and coaching programs, information on fundraising from grants or loans and so much more. Networking is also offered, and they help female entrepreneurs create and launch a business too. Continue reading here. https://thewomensbusinesscenter.com/
LISC of Western NY provides help in the Buffalo area, Niagara Falls and surrounding communities. They will, from time to time, provide free grants to Black owned businesses, including women, as well as other minorities. Or get loans, free counseling or coaching services, wealth building programs and so much more. The non-profit helps people from disadvantaged areas start businesses and/or gain stability. Find details on the lender here. https://www.lisc.org/wny/
Monroe County Industrial Development Agency supports small businesses, with additional programs for small or micro-owned women and minority companies as well as veterans. Everything from coaching to networking to information on government grants, loan programs from partner banks and non-profits as well as other resources are offered. Learn more about COMIDA, County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency solutions here. https://monroecountybusiness.org/
Niagara Falls is supported by the NFC Development Corporation. The non-profit works on keeping, and expanding, businesses in the city if they create jobs. There will be applications to grants, women-minority business certification assistance and applications, resources for industrial companies and more. NFC is focused on small to medium businesses, including people of color, and increasing jobs. More details here. https://niagarafallsusa.org/government/city-departments/nfc-development-corp/
Rochester and Monroe County businesses (or those who want to start a business) can get small dollar loans, at 0% interest, from Kiva. The crowdfunding type lender partners with the City of Rochester to help both new, start up type businesses as well as existing companies get funds, They focus on minority, veteran, Black owned, and women owned companies among others. As much as $10,000 can be borrowed, including owners with no or poor credit histories. Use the funds for various expenses or costs. Apply for loans here. https://www.cityofrochester.gov/Kiva/
Small Business Development Center for Erie County NY is located at SUNY Buffalo. There is assistance for start-ups as well as entrepreneurs. The free Center also helps existing small businesses in Buffalo, with linkage to many resources for businesses owned by people of color and that are from low-income parts of the city. Learn about free grants, loans (including for applicants with bad credit), business plan creation, technical help and more. Read about the center. https://sbdc.buffalostate.edu/
December 2022
Several BIPOC businesses in the NYC region will be given up to $500,000 grants from the BKXLAccelerator program. There is also in-coaching coaching, advise, marketing support and more. The grant money, and program, is in partnership of the Social Justice Fund and Visible Hand. The grants are known as an early accelerator – meaning they focus on new, yet established companies, that need capital to take off. Apply here https://bk-xl.com/
September 2022 and October 2022
Women-owned businesses in Oneida and Herkimer County can apply for a free, $5000 grant that is the result of a partnership from The Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Baird. There will be multiple “winners”. A major focus is on businesses that help empower women, such as through employment, entrepreneurship, income equality and more. Though women owned businesses can of course apply, but social causes may take priority. Learn more here. https://womensfundhoc.org/
The Westchester County Business FIRST Grant is for DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprises), Certified Veteran-owned businesses as well as MWBE – Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises. All applicants need to be certified by the state as well as have been impacted by the COVID pandemic. The amount of the free grant will be anywhere from $5,000 to $45,000, based on many criteria. Apply here. https://westchestercatalyst.com/business-first-programs/grants/
The NY Seed Funding Grant Program has hundreds of millions of dollars available to help micro and small businesses as well as early stage companies. The majority of the money has historically gone to women and minority owned businesses in the form of a free government grant. The state is using Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program to help businesses. Applicants can receive anywhere from $5000 to as much as $100,000 or more. Apply here for grant money from Seed Funding. https://nyseedgrant.com/
Women owned businesses in Herkimer or Oneida County can get free $5000 grants. Several applicants will be given funds as part of Griffiss Institute as well as The Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida. The program is known as Women Investing in Women. The grant money can pay for marketing help, training, hardware, online websites and more. Learn details here. https://womensfundhoc.org/business-grants.php?utm_source=The+Women%27s+Fund&utm_medium=social,+web,+email,+google&utm_campaign=Women+Investing+In+Women+Business+Grants
July 2022, August 2022 and September 2022
Albany area BIPOC owned businesses can apply for financial help to help them build best practices around diversity, inclusion, and creating additional opportunities. KeyBank as well as the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce are working together on the program. All the grant funds can only be used for certain indicatives and bills, and the program has restrictions. There are also certification workshops and other services, read more here. https://capitalregionchamber.com/business-resources/minority-women-owned-business/
Over the next 90 days or so, millions of dollars will be available from the State Small Business Credit Initiative. The main goal is to provide low cost (or interest free) loans to small businesses in underserved parts of NY. There may also be grants, capital infusion, equity and other Capital offered. This will give priority to businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans and the disadvantaged. Funds will be disbursed by Empire State Development with local non-profit partners. Read more. https://esd.ny.gov/ssbci
Free grants are offered in NYC as part of the NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre. Applicants need to be female owned and in those industries. The funds and program is offered in partnership of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), the city, as well as the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). The funds can pay for videos, stages, exhibits and related costs. Apply here. https://www.nyfa.org/awards-grants/nyc-womens-fund-for-media-music-and-theatre/
Scale-Up WNY is a grant program for women and male, black owned businesses in western NY, including Buffalo-Niagara and nearby counties. Up to a couple dozen black owned businesses will be provided up to $15,000. The program is run by LISC as well as General motors. A focus is on BIPOC businesses in construction, manufacturing, day care, tech, or “physical” industries. Learn more and apply here. https://www.lisc.org/wny/what-we-do/neighborhoodbusiness/small-business-grants/lisc-gm-scale-wny-grant/
May and June 2022
NYC artists, designers, and creative businesses can get scholarships, coaching, and possible grants from The Fearless Artist (TFA). $100,000 is being disbursed to the artistic community as the result of funds provided by Olay Body as well as Procter and Gamble. TFA also hold events to publicize the artistic businesses as well, and apply for assistance (and learn about) the programs here. https://thefearlessartist.artstorefronts.com/home
NYC area small as well as micro-businesses can get free grants of up to $10,000. The financial aid program covers only the regions of Chelsea, Hudson Yards, as well as Hell’s Kitchen. The resource is known as the The West Side Small Business Grants (WSSBG) program, and the focus is on service industries such as café, food carts, restaurants, pubs and other service sector businesses. Another focus of WSSBG is on giving financial help to women, veterans, immigrants, minority and especially free grants for black women owned businesses in the region. Learn more here. https://www.citizensnyc.org/grantmaking
March and April 2022
Maxine Quigg Women in Business Fund is offering between $500 to $1000 in the form of a free grant to qualified businesses. The money is being distributed in partnership with the Northern New York Community Foundation. The money can help expand women owned businesses, coordinates education, coordinates leadership classes and more. The free grants are for women owned businesses as well as non-profits. To get an application, dial 315-782-7110.
February and March 2022
Ithaca women owned businesses can apply for a $10,000 grant from the Women Building Communities non-profit. The goal is the funds is to help female owned companies that are committed to addressing inequality and businesses that open the door for other female owned companies. The program is called Unexpected Needs, and get more details here. https://womenbuildingcommunity.org/available/
Black owned businesses in Harlem can apply for $10,000 grants from the Harlem Entrepreneurial Microgrant. The financial assistance is being provided as part of the Apollo Theater, BET Television and 125th St Business Improvement District. All applicants need to be operating in Harlem and be a Black owned business. Not non-profits can also apply. The applicants also need to be a “small” business. Learn more and apply here. https://125thstreet.submittable.com/submit/8cf78ce1-bcf4-4ac4-8b9e-4617fa8ab781/harlem-entrepreneurial-micro-grant-initiativ
Rockland County small businesses can apply for $5 to $25 grants as part of the Small Business Assistance Grant Program. The financial aid helps pay for operating expenses, such as rent, utilities, salaries, inventory and more. The free government grants are focused on helping small businesses and micro-companies recover from COVID, and women, veteran, and minority owned businesses in Rockland County will be given priority as well. Apply here http://rocklandgov.com/departments/economic-development-and-tourism/small-business-assistance-grant/
Farmingdale State College, on Long Island, is providing grants to Black (1) alumni or (2) current students who want to, or are currently, in business. The financial aid is known as the Business Boot Camp and Grant Program. There are free training and workshop programs for MWBE companies, free grants, loan programs, and BP plan development services as well. All these programs are at the Business Center. Learn more here. https://www.farmingdale.edu/small-business-development-center/
December 2021 and January 2022
Rochester NY restaurants that are willing/able to help feed the elderly in the city can apply for free $5000 grants from the city. The Senior Meals Program is a government resource that will help feed senior citizens across the city. The grant funds can help the restaurant pay for the transportation, wages, and other costs incurred by the restaurants. Some of the restaurants selected will also be women or minority owned, and apply here. https://www.cityofrochester.gov/restaurantgrant/
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce will help local businesses, and free grants of up to $5,000 are provided. The funds are for businesses from low income parts of the borough, with a focus on women, LGBTQ, veteran and minority owned businesses. Restaurants, sole-proprietors, service industries, tech companies and any small business can apply. The program is known as the Small Business Grant Program, and learn more here. https://www.brooklynchamber.com/
NYC businesses in low to moderate income parts of the city can apply for free government grants. The financial assistance will focus on certain types of businesses, including arts, bars or cafes, entertainment, recreation, restaurants, accommodation, hotels, and food sectors. The program is known NYC Small Business Resilience Grant. A large percentage of the small business grants will most likely go to immigrant, MWBE, veteran, and LGTBQ owned businesses. Learn more on Small Business Services in the city and apply here for support. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/sbs/index.page
Ontario County businesses can get free grants from the COVID Relief Program. Qualified businesses, including MWBE companies, can get from $10,000 to $60,000 dollars. The Economic Development agency will be accepting applications and distributing the funds. The money will go to companies that have been impacted by the COVID pandemic and that need financial aid to recover. Free grants can help pay rent, operating costs, payroll and other bills. Learn more. https://ontariocountyny.gov/940/Economic-Development
Grants and interest free loans were offered in 2021 as well. Those agencies may have referrals or support for small MWBE businesses as well. More on New York 2021 grants and loans for MWBE.
By Jon McNamara
