Find free grants or loans for your business below. There are funds allocated to women, Latino, LGBTQ, Black, veteran 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 free MWBE grants and loans in NY from lenders, corporations, banks, non-profits and agencies that may be near you.
The loans and/or grants for calendar year 2024 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.
February and March 2026
New York State African American Heritage Grant Program is for non-profits that document, interpret, and preserve sites, stories, and cultural contributions. This may be a significant grant for qualified non-profits with funds issued up to $150,000 or $200,000 depending on the project and other criteria. Learn more about the terms and conditions of the program at https://parks.ny.gov/grants/african-american-heritage-grant
The Wayne County Economic Development Corporation’s Adult Pitch Competition is open for applications until March 6th. Two awards will be provided to the winners, a $20,000 grant and $5,000 one. SCORE, the non-profit free business mentoring service, will also provide help and learn more about the Pitch competition at https://waynecountyny.gov/811/2026-Adult-Pitch-Competition
January 2026
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is taking applications for the 2026 MWBE Awards program. The program will help bring visibility to the business, most likely assist with allowing MWBE businesses to network and get other benefits – website is https://inserocpa.wufoo.com/forms/m14adi9i13qms0z/
December 2025
Town of Bethlehem micro-businesses / enterprises is provided a total of $200,000 (aggregate) to very small businesses in the city. The funds cover various pro-growth investments – machinery, computers, facilities and related costs. Find more details here on the grants – https://www.townofbethlehem.org/709/Microenterprise-Grant-Program
By Jon McNamara
