November 2024
Detroit Legacy Business Fund has multiple grants, with one up to 50K, that will help businesses that focus on certain needs. The money will help older, legacy businesses or those with a social cause. There are also local neighborhood grants including for MWBE companies as well as other forms of help. Learn more here. https://detroitmi.gov/opportunities/apply-grant
Moving Flint Forward Small Business Grant Program is giving up to $10,000 of free grants to qualified small businesses. The funding is part of Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce as well as GM. The money must be used to help the small business, whether veteran or MWBE owned, expand and grow their business. Apply here. https://www.flintandgenesee.org/moving-flint-forward/moving-flint-forward-small-business-grant-program/
October 2024
MIWISH Grant is a statewide, “matching” grant program. The state will match funds raised by a small businesses and the money needs to be used to pay for health and safety equipment. The MIWISH (Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health) program is run by Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), and apply here. https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/MIOSHA/Employer-Assistance/grants
Going PRO Talent Fund helps small businesses apply for grant money to train their employees and keep them employed. The funds need to be used for retention/employment/training, so personnel development type costs. Applications are at Michigan Works! Agencies, with small BIPOC and women businesses apply too. Get details here. https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd/programs-services/going-pro-talent-fund
September 2024
Startups – Entrepreneurs in Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren Counties can apply for a free, $5000 grant from Cornerstone Alliance and their Women’s Business Center. The money can pay for costs involved to starting a business, such as Legal, company formation costs, website development, accounting costs and more. Women, businesses owned by people of color and those with limited credit can apply too. Apply here. https://cornerstonealliance.typeform.com/WBCGrantApply?typeform-source=www.moodyonthemarket.com
ProsperUs is providing low-cost, and possible interest free loans, to micro businesses in Wayne County MI. The CDFI focuses on owners in low-income parts of Detroit or the county, with much of the funds going to women and minorities in the region as well as owners with low-credit scores. https://prosperusdetroit.org/apply-lending/
The Eastern Michigan Small Business Network is accepting applications from the Small Business Grant Award Program. Some businesses will get up to $20,000 is free money. Others will benefit too from up to $7,000 in free services such as legal, technical IT advice, marketing and more. The program is for the regions of Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Tuscola, and St. Clair. Apply here. https://www.easternmichigansmallbusinessnetwork.com/general-8
June 2024
Non-profits in SW Michigan can apply to the Heart of Cook Foundation grant program. Applications are being processed by the Berrien Community Foundation. A combination of micro-grants and larger allotments will be provided to qualified non-profits, as funds allow. Non-profits need to be focused on human services or educational needs, including income inequality. Apply here. https://www.berriencommunity.org/HoC
February and March 2024
Businesses in the city of Flint or Genesee County can get free money from the Moving Flint Forward Small Business Grant Program. The funds are offered by GM in partnership with the local Economic Alliance. Some grant money will be dedicated to small women and MWBE owned businesses. Apply here. https://developflintandgenesee.org/moving-flint-forward/
Minority owned food companies (or those in the industry) can apply for grants from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). The government money is to help the minority owned food business / producer expand and build out capacity. There is other support provided in addition to the financial help, and learn more here. https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/business-development/grantfund/minority-owned-food-and-agriculture-business-capacity-building-grants
April and May 2024
Going Pro Talent Fund will help businesses pay for job training for their employees. Michigan Works Agencies, the state, and non-profits are part of the program, which each qualified business giving up to $2,000 for job training. The money can help train for diversity or other reasons, with veterans in MI and others able to apply too. https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd/programs-services/going-pro-talent-fund
January 2024
Stevensville MI businesses’ can get small dollar grants from a program known as Match on Main. The funds are issued from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program. Two businesses can be given as much as $25,000 each, and learn more here. https://www.villageofstevensville.us/
Grants and loans were also offered last year to minorities, women, and others in 2023. Locate 2023 business assistance programs in MI.
By Jon McNamara