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.
December 2025
The Merchants Fund in Philadelphia is offering small business owners the Emergency SNAP Relief grant. It will help retailers, such as grocery stores, that had business reduced due to the government cutting back on SNAP benefits paid in October. A major focus is on retailers in low-income areas of the city with applications here https://merchantsfund.org/grants/emergency-snap/
There are also older financial assistance programs in the state too, and locate previous years MWBE and veteran grants in PA.
By Jon McNamara
