Minority, veteran, immigrant, LGBTQ and female owned small businesses in Massachusetts can get free financial help, coaching, and other support. Find where to get financial assistance (grants or loans) in MA as well as how to apply near you. There are funds from charities, corporations, non-profits, as well as the state of Massachusetts and federal government.
Any small business, startup company, entrepreneur, or sole-proprietor can apply. Many of the small business grants give priority to Black women or Asian owned businesses in MA. However, each of the lenders, and their programs, will be allocated some of the funds to disadvantaged businesses. This may be a Black owned company in Massachusetts or a Latino business. Free grants may also be for LGBTQ companies, veterans, the disabled, and other minority (or disadvantaged) businesses.
Any funds will often be combined with other assistance. As the lender or small business grant programs in Massachusetts often give clients free business advice, such as coaching, marketing assistance, website development, counseling and more.
Small business loans or free grants for females or minorities in Massachusetts
The list of resources below is updated daily with assistance programs for MWBE and BIPOC owned businesses (black, Indigenous and people of color). While most of the grants and low cost loans for minority or female businesses are for businesses located in the major cities such as Boston, Cambridge, or Springfield, assistance is offered statewide as well.
January and February 2026
Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts has its 2026 Activation Fund grants program open for applications. The program is open for businesses and non-profit that focus on improving access to health care, in particular to women and people of color as well as the low-income. Learn more about the program from this link https://thfcm.org/grantmaking/grant-opportunities/activation-fund/
November 2025 and December 2025
Workbar is providing a $5,000 grant to a Boston small business. It is an annual program with the money providing to a founder of a small company, with people of all races/ethnicities able to apply too. The grant program is available until December 8 and apply here https://www.workbar.com/grant-initiative
Cannabis Social Equity Grant Program is for cannabis entrepreneurs and existing businesses. The state is helping to encourage the development of the industry with grant funding offered. Some funds will be allocated to minority, women and veterans as well with applications here https://eoedsocialequity.submittable.com/submit
If you are looking for programs from past years, try this link to previous business grants and loans in Massachusetts.
By Jon McNamara
