Small to medium sized businesses, start up companies or entrepreneurs can get help from loans or free grant programs in Pennsylvania. There are funds for Black owned businesses, women owned or run companies, LGBTQ owners, Asians and other disadvantaged groups. Find free MWBE business grants or loans in PA near you.
The state of Pennsylvania as well as federal government may offer assistance along with credit unions, corporations, foundations, banks, and non-profits. The loan, mentoring, and free grant programs are open to all business owners. However you will find below programs that have set aside funds for minorities and/or women owned businesses.
Many of the Pennsylvania programs will not only give cash loans or grants but they also provide counseling, mentoring, sales help, and so much more. The goal is to help the businesses both financially and with other needs. Financial help is prioritized for MWBE and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) owned businesses in Pennsylvania.
Find loans and free grants for minority or women businesses in Pennsylvania
The list of minority/women loan and free grant assistance programs will be updated daily. There are funds in all cities, including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and other cities and towns across the state. Black business owners, women, and other disadvantaged minority groups can all apply for these funds.
March and April 2025
Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission is providing grant money to a few different female owned businesses as part of the She Means Business pitch program. It is for small businesses / women-owned micro companies that have been operating for at least one year, and get details here. https://northerntier.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/She-Means-Business-Pitch-Application.pdf
The city of Harrisburg and M&T Bank is a business pitch/accelerator program with several people able to get a few thousand dollars in grant money. The accelerator is also seeking disadvantaged businesses, with funds also offered for MWBE companies. Apply here. https://mtbank.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cCvzkeBKNn8Pf82
United Way of Lancaster County is providing grant money to non-profits in the area. The program, known as Level Up & Launch, will provide each qualified non-profit with $10,000 to $50,000. Non-profits need to be focused on education, economic causes (including for the disadvantaged such as women/minorities), health care and more. Apply here. https://www.uwlanc.org/level-up-launch/
February 2025 and March 2025
Chester County Economic Development Council is offering free, $2,000 grants as part of the New Business Champions program. The money will help the small business pay for professional help, such as accounting work, legal services, and other consultations. Get details here. https://ccedcpa.com/new-business-champions/
Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund is launching soon. In total, Up to $50,000 will be provided to each qualified business. The program will be launching over the next several weeks, with updates available here. https://phila-uyims.formstack.com/forms/catalyst_fund_interest_form.
Businesses must be smaller in size and committed to creating jobs as well. Find more details on the fund here too. https://www.phila.gov/2025-02-05-city-launches-the-philadelphia-small-business-catalyst-fund/
January 2025
The 2025 Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator program, which is provides grants of up to $2,000, is available. The goal is to help create business owners, including those of diversity such as LGTBQ+ and others, start to monetize their business and/or increase sales. Learn more here. https://www.pa.gov/agencies/coa/grants-and-loans/creative-entrepreneur-accelerator.html
There are also older financial assistance programs in the state too, and locate previous years MWBE and veteran grants in PA.
By Jon McNamara
