Small Business Grants: How to Find Them and Apply Successfully

Running a small business is no easy feat. Between managing operations, marketing, and budgeting, finding funds to fuel your growth can feel like an uphill battle. But here’s a little-known secret that could change the game for your business—small business grants.

Unlike loans, grants provide free funding with no repayment obligations, making them an ideal resource to expand your business without the financial strain.

If you’ve been struggling to source funds, this comprehensive blog post will walk you through what small business grants are, where to find them, how to apply, and strategies to use them for business growth.

What Are Small Business Grants and Why Are They Important?

Small business grants are funds awarded by government agencies, corporations, or nonprofit organizations to help businesses achieve specific goals. These funds don’t need to be repaid, making them a highly attractive option for entrepreneurs, especially startups and small businesses with limited capital.

The funding often comes with a focus. Some grants are meant to foster innovation or economic development, while others target underrepresented groups—think small business grants for women, veterans, or minority-led enterprises.

For small business owners, grants can be the golden ticket to hiring staff, upgrading equipment, launching a new product line, or opening a new location—all without adding debt to your balance sheet.

But how do you find these elusive grants? Let’s dig in.

Where to Find Small Business Grants

When it comes to finding grants, credible resources are key. Here’s your go-to list to spare you hours of searching and lead you directly to reliable funding opportunities:

Government Programs

Government programs mean federal and state government agencies. These are your best bet for funding, as they offer the most generous grants with a broad scope of industries and business types.

Here are some top government resources to explore:

• Grants.gov — This is the official database for all federal grants in the US. You can search by keyword, category, or agency to find relevant grants for your business.
• US Small Business Administration (SBA) — Their programs, like the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), are perfect for businesses looking to scale internationally.
• US Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program — Run by the Small Business Administration (SBA), this program provides grants for innovative research and development projects.
• US Economic Development Agency (EDA) — The EDA offers grants to support economic growth in specific regions or industries.
• Local government websites — Check city, county, and state websites for regional funding opportunities.

As you may have noticed, the resources listed above are specifically for US citizens. Are you wondering where to find grants if your business is based outside the United States? Check out the websites of your country’s government, like the economic administration, trade, or cooperation departments, to discover funding opportunities.

International Organizations

Many international organizations offer grants to support small businesses globally. Here are a few options:

• World Bank Group — Provides funding for projects focused on poverty reduction and sustainable development in developing countries.
• United Nations Development Program (UNDP) — Offers grant programs to help small businesses address social and environmental issues in their communities.
• Global Affairs Canada — A government agency that provides various funding opportunities for Canadian businesses at different stages of growth.

Corporate Grant Programs

Big-name brands often have programs aimed at supporting small businesses. Popular ones include:

• FedEx Small Business Grant Contest — Offers funding and marketing opportunities.
• Visa’s Everywhere Initiative — Supports innovative small businesses in solving industry challenges.
• Comcast RISE Grants — Focuses on helping minority and women entrepreneurs thrive with monetary, marketing, and technology grants.

There are corporate grant programs outside of the US, too, such as Lloyds Bank’s Social Entrepreneurs Programme in the UK or Nokia’s Open Innovation Challenge for global startups.

Industry-Specific Grants

Certain grants are tailored to businesses in sectors like technology, arts, or healthcare. For example:

• National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) offers a Growth Grant program for members that provides up to $4,000 in funds.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants for sustainable businesses.

If you’re outside the US, don’t worry! You can find industry-specific grants in your area by reaching out to industry associations or checking with your local government departments.

Grants for Underserved Groups

These are grants specifically meant to support underrepresented communities, such as:

• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Grants — Supports Black-owned businesses with funding and resources.
• IFundWomen — Provides small business grants for women as well as coaching programs for female entrepreneurs.
• Veteran Shark Tank — An annual pitch competition for veteran entrepreneurs.
• Operation HOPE Small Business Empowerment Program — Provides resources for small business owners in underserved areas.
• The Amber Grant Foundation — Offers grants to women-owned businesses.

Nonprofits and Crowd-Sourced Databases

Non-profit organizations also offer grants for small businesses. Some notable examples include:

• The Halstead Grant — An annual grant for jewelry designers with an innovative business plan and limited resources.
• Idea Cafe Grants — A small business grant competition offering cash prizes of $1,000.
• Foundation Directory Online — Helps you to find grants to fund nonprofits.
• HelloAlice — Lists small business grants and resources.

While these are some well-known options, you should also research local nonprofits in your area that may offer grants or funding opportunities specific to your industry or community.

Additionally, crowd-sourced databases like HelloAlice can connect you with various grant opportunities based on your business needs and demographics. These resources are valuable in finding lesser-known grants and increasing your chances of obtaining funding.

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How to Apply for Small Business Grants

Applying for small business grants can be intimidating, but don’t let that stop you from accessing these valuable resources.

Follow these steps to enhance your chances of landing your dream grant:

Step 1: Research Available Grants and Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, identify grants that align with your business mission, goals, and qualifications. Some grants cater specifically to startups, while others require a minimum number of years in business.

Step 2: Prepare Key Documents

Organize vital information ahead of time, including your:

• Business plan
• Financial statements (like balance sheets and forecasts)
• Tax records
• Proof of eligibility (e.g., minority or women-owned business certification)

Step 3: Write a Compelling Grant Proposal

Your grant proposal is your chance to shine. Clearly outline:

• Your business objectives
• How the grant will help you achieve them
• The impact of the funding on the community or industry (e.g., job creation, community benefits).

Use data and story-driven writing to make your case irresistible.

Step 4: Follow Submission Guidelines

Each grant application may have specific requirements. Whether it’s a word limit, format, or supplementary materials, ensure you check off every detail to avoid disqualification.

Step 5: Keep Track of Deadlines

Most grants have deadlines, so plan ahead and give yourself enough time to complete the application process thoroughly.

Use tools like Google Calendar or Trello to manage important dates and grant workflows.

Step 6: Stay Persistent

Not every application will win, but persistence pays off. Learn from feedback, refine your proposals, and keep applying to grants that resonate with your goals.

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Using Grants to Grow Your Small Business

Once you secure funding, it’s time to put those dollars to work. Here’s how to maximize the impact of your grant:

Invest in Business Infrastructure

Use grants to upgrade your operations infrastructure:

• Purchase high-quality equipment that fuels better productivity.
• Invest in technology tools or software to enhance efficiency.

Expand Your Workforce

Labor is the number one cost for businesses, so it makes sense to use the grant to grow your team. It can directly improve output and revenue. Use funds to:

• Hire skilled professionals.
• Offer better training and retention programs for existing staff.

Strengthen Your Marketing

A smart investment in marketing can yield a high return on investment (ROI). Spend your grant money on the following:

• Paid digital advertising (Google Ads or Facebook).
• Building a professional ecommerce website, for example, with Ecwid.
• Hosting events to enhance your brand visibility.

Launch New Products or Services

Dreaming of rolling out that product prototype? Use your grant to fund testing, production, or distribution.

Scale to New Markets

Expand your offerings to new regions or go international. Grants can help cover logistics, market research, or translation services.

The key is using the grant money strategically. Think long term—investing in areas that foster sustained business growth will ensure the grant has a lasting impact.

Take the Leap Toward Your Business Goals

Small business grants might require a bit of legwork to find and apply for, but the benefits are worth every effort. From giving you a leg up in competitive markets to opening doors that would otherwise stay closed, grants provide small business owners with opportunities to achieve their big goals.

Start your search today, and don’t shy away from dreaming big. Whether it’s scaling your operations, hiring a stellar team, or dominating a new market, the right grant could be the accelerator you need.

And remember, achieving your first big win is only the start. Stay curious, keep applying, and aim high — your business’s success is just around the corner.