Grant Category — Free Money
Small Business Grants
94 grants listed
Updated March 2026
Federal, state & private programs
Small business grants are one of the most valuable — and most overlooked — sources of business funding. Unlike loans, grants don't need to be repaid. This page covers every legitimate small business grant we've found, from major federal programs to private foundation awards.
94
Grants in this category
$500 – $2M
Typical award range
4
Closing within 30 days
38
Rolling / always open
🔍
Showing 10 grants
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Federal Program
Federal
Rolling
SBA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
One of the largest federal grant programs for small businesses. Funds early-stage R&D with strong commercial potential. Three-phase funding structure — Phase I awards up to $275K, Phase II up to $1.75M.
Up to $2M
Total Award
Rolling
Deadline
For-profit only
Entity Type
US-based
Location
Tech / R&D
For-profit small business
Under 500 employees
US citizen majority-owned
$2M
Max Award
Private Foundation
18 days left
Amber Grant for Women
Monthly $10,000 grant for women-owned businesses. Simple one-page application, no extensive business plan required. One monthly winner also receives a $25,000 year-end grant.
$10,000
Monthly Award
18 days
Deadline
Women only
Eligibility
Women-owned business
Any industry
US-based
Any stage
$10K
Award
Corporate Grant
Annual — Spring
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
Annual competition awarding cash grants to small businesses across the US. Top prize is $50,000 plus FedEx print and business services valued at $7,500. Open to businesses with 2–99 employees.
$50,000
Top Prize
Spring 2026
Next Deadline
2–99 employees
Business Size
Any industry
2+ years old
US-based
$50K
Top Prize
Federal Program
Federal
Annual
USDA Rural Business Development Grant
USDA grants supporting small rural businesses and cooperatives. Funds technical assistance, training, and business development. Priority given to businesses in rural areas with populations under 50,000.
Up to $500K
Award Amount
Annual
Deadline
Rural areas
Location
Rural location required
Small business
Cooperative eligible
$500K
Max Award
Corporate Grant
22 days left
Visa Everywhere Initiative
Global competition for startups developing the next generation of payment and commerce solutions. Cash prizes and potential partnership opportunities with Visa's global network.
$100,000
Top Prize
22 days
Deadline
Fintech / Startup
Focus
Fintech startup
Payment solutions
Global
$100K
Top Prize
State / Local
Rolling
MBDA Business Center Grants (Minority Business)
The Minority Business Development Agency funds business centers that provide minority-owned businesses with access to capital, contracts, and markets. Centers offer free or low-cost consulting.
Varies
Award Amount
Rolling
Deadline
Minority-owned
Eligibility
Minority-owned business
US-based
Any industry
Varies
Award
How to apply for a small business grant
Applying for a grant is more involved than applying for a loan — but the effort is worth it since you never have to pay the money back. Here's a step-by-step overview of the process.
1
Check your eligibility first
Read the eligibility requirements carefully before investing time in an application. Key factors typically include business age, industry, location, revenue, employee count, and ownership status.
2
Gather your documentation
Most grants require: business plan or executive summary, financial statements (2 years), tax returns, proof of business registration, EIN, and a description of how you'll use the funds.
3
Write a compelling narrative
Grant committees want to fund businesses with a clear mission and measurable impact. Explain your story, the problem you solve, how grant funds will be used specifically, and what outcomes you expect.
4
Submit before the deadline
Grant portals can experience traffic spikes on deadline day. Aim to submit at least 48 hours early. Late submissions are almost never accepted regardless of the reason.
5
Apply to multiple grants simultaneously
Acceptance rates for competitive grants can be under 10%. Apply to every grant you qualify for — many of your documents and narrative can be reused across applications with minor edits.
Want a step-by-step grant writing template? Download our free guide below — it includes a sample narrative, document checklist, and tips from successful applicants.