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.
October and November 2024
Entrepreneurs can get low cost, or maybe interest free loans, from the Main Street Capital Program. The program is part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative and uses federal funds. The goal is to help start ups, including MWBE companies, raise led by Empire State Development. Up to $100,000 can be provided to each start up, and get details here. https://esd.ny.gov/main-street-capital-loan-fund
September and October 2024
Businesses impacted by flooding in the counties of Clinton, Essex, Oswego, Jefferson or Franklin, St. Lawrence and others can apply for interest free or low-cost SBA loans. The money will help small businesses rebuild and recover from the floods, including with money allocated to MWBE and veteran owned companies. Non-profits can apply too, and get details here. https://www.sba.gov/article/2024/08/30/sba-disaster-loans-available-new-york-private-non-profit-organizations
August 2024
Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is providing several small businesses free grants of up to $5,000 each. The program is run in partnership with Griffiss Institute, Baird Private Wealth Management, as well as UpMobility Foundation. There is help for both “for-profit” as well as non-profits in the region and get details here. https://womensfundhoc.org./
June and July 2024
Lewis County businesses can apply for the Building Business grant. The money is offered from Naturally Lewis, Inc.. The grants are for businesses that will be expanding and creating opportunities for others in the county, with all businesses including MWBE able to apply. Get details here. https://naturallylewis.com/growing-opportunities/cedf
Suffolk County, Minority owned small businesses can apply for free $2,500 grants. The program is known as JumpSMART . Applications will be processed by the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce (LIAACC) in partnership with the Trellus Same-Day Local Delivery & Marketplace. The money being provided to small MWBE businesses is the result of the federal government ARPA funds. Learn more here. http://www.bytrellus.com/jumpsmart
April and May 2024
Lewis County small business and entrepreneurs can apply for grant money from Naturally Lewis program. In total, up to $300,000 will be issued to qualified applicants. It is a matching fund in which the organization will match other funds raised by the business, and find details here to the Naturally Lewis Building Business Fund. https://naturallylewis.com/growing-opportunities/building-business-fund
Long Island small businesses can get grant money from the LIA Foundation, Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (LIHCC) and Optimum Business. Up to 50 grants will be provided, each valued up to $5,000. A focus is on small businesses on Long Island owned by people of color, and apply here. https://members.longislandassociation.org/form/view/32847
March 2024
Small Business Grants in East Buffalo from Empire State Development will provide free grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to businesses in East Buffalo. A focus is on low-income areas, minorities, and those recovering from the civil unrest in the region. There are only certain neighborhoods and streets covered by the government grants and get details here. https://esd.ny.gov/esd-media-center/press-releases/esd-announces-round-3-small-business-grants-east-buffalo
Food establishments in NYC can get a free grant from the The Rising Restaurateur program. It is available in all boroughs. The money is a community grant that provides business development opportunities along with microgrants and loans. Funds are targeted at Black, Immigrant, Indigenous, Latino, Asian American, Asian, Pacific Islander, LGTBQ+ and other minorities. Partners include The Oyate Group, Grubhub, and the New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association (NYSRBLA). Apply here. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WZZ5XLY
February 2024
The Zonta Club of Auburn is providing 4 women-owned businesses in Auburn with grant money of up to $750. The funds can pay for marketing help, equipment, and other costs that are approved by the club. Applications can be obtained by emailing Karen A. Macier at macier54@gmail.com.
CenterState, through their Foundation, offers counseling, mentoring, and support to minority owned businesses in Central NY. They partner with KeyBank and local corporations on the service. As part of the Foundation, there are grants, Equity Funds, Small Business Support and more. Learn about the Foundation here. https://centerstateceo.com/about-us/foundations/CenterStateCEOFoundation
$1,000 grants are available for women owned businesses from the Allegany-Cattaraugus-Chautauqua Fund for Women (ACC-FFW). Applicants need to be from those counties and meet other conditions. A major focus is on non-profits and businesses that help women grow economically, address health or other needs, and overcome poverty. Learn more here. https://www.accffw.org/grants
There are also grants and loans that were issued in 2023. Find details on NY 2023 MWBE grants or loans.
By Jon McNamara
