Women and minority owned businesses in North Carolina as well as start up companies can get low cost or interest free loans and/or free grants for their business. Find lenders, banks, corporations, credit unions and NC non-profit programs below that offer funds. While any small to mid-size business or entrepreneur can apply, there will be a certain amount of money designated for minority businesses, including Black owned companies, veterans, LGBTQ, Latinos, Asians, and others. The list of financial assistance programs, including grants, loans, and more is updated daily.
Small to medium sized business financing is available across the state, including in Charlotte, the Raleigh – Durham area, and other major cities. Many of the programs not only provide loans or free grants to women or minority companies, but they also give other business support. This may be advertising support, advice, marketing, free tech support, website development and more. The goal is to help a small to mid-sized business, as well as a start up company, get both the funds as well as general support they need.
Find latest loans and free grants for small businesses in North Carolina
There are often new programs announced daily, weekly, or monthly. The list of loans and grants for MWBE, veteran and BIPOC-owned businesses (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) listed below in North Carolina will be updated daily. As noted, while any business or entrepreneur can apply, there will always be a certain amount of money allocated to women, Black owned businesses, Hispanic companies, and other lenders. Veteran businesses in North Carolina also tend to get priority.
January and February 2026
The Moore County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP), using money from the Duke Energy Foundation. It is known as Moore County Small Business Impact Grant Program and it will disburse micro-grants of $500 to $5,000 to qualified businesses. The types of business costs that can be paid using the grant are extensive, as listed on the website https://moorecountyedp.org/news/sbigrant/
December 2025
Grant money in Bladen County will be provided to the “winners” of a pitch competition. The Small Business Center at Bladen Community College will be holding a pitch / “Shark Tank” type event starting in early 2026. In addition to small grants as a prize, the center will also help with business plan development, marking and more with applications here https://bladencc.edu/instruction/sbc/pitch-it-bladen-county/
October 2025
Research and tech companies can apply to the One North Carolina Small Business Program, in which over $2 million will be provided in aggregate with as many as 50 total grants provided. The money is in 2 separate programs and they are Incentive Fund and Matching Funds, with diverse businesses able to apply too. More application details can be found here https://www.commerce.nc.gov/grants-incentives/technology-funds/one-north-carolina-small-business-program
Duke Energy Foundation is providing grants to non-profits (up to 25K) as well as for profits (5K). The money can pay for business renovations, improvements, technology products and other expenses – apply here https://foundation.duke-energy.com/grants/north-carolina/small-business-impact-program
Non-profits can apply for grants from the City of Charlotte’s Learn2Earn program. It is for organizations that help the underserved community, including low-income / minorities. The non-profits need to address issues such as financial literacy, the digital divide, STEM and similar needs around economic equality. Apply here https://www.charlottenc.gov/City-News/Learn2Earn-Grant-Applications-Open-for-Nonprofits
We also have listed previously issued business grants and loans in NC that were for past years.
By Jon McNamara
