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2024 Small Business Grants, The Ultimate List

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Grants for Small Business

2024 has been and continues to be a great year for small business grant opportunities. But with the incredible number of grants available throughout the year, it could be a full-time job in itself to seek out each and every grant your business is eligible for. Consult this master list of grants available for small businesses in 2024 from the all-entry level down to several major groups like women and veteran small business owners.

You can use this definitive list as a guide to help you build your own list of high-quality small business grants to apply to throughout the year.

2024 Private Grants for Small Businesses

From mainstays like the FedEx Small Business Contest or NASE grants to newcomers like the Kapitus Building Resilient Businesses Contest and Skip Monthly, this list is the best place to start your grant search. Each grant on this list is open to small business owners nationally. This list also has grants from Q1 through the rest of the year, so be certain to bookmark this page and check back regularly.
MORE >>

Visa Everywhere Initiative

Quick Information:

  • For small businesses in the payment and fintech industry
  • Special edition categories for black-owned, women-owned, and LGBTQ+-owned startups
  • Check the Visa Everywhere Initiative website for updated information

Venmo Small Business Grants

Quick Information:

National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Small Grants Program

Quick Information:

  • 10 recipients awarded $4,000 for growth financing
  •  Must be a member of NASE
  • Small businesses should check NASE’s grants website for updated information.

Small Business Growth Fund

Quick Information:

  • Offered by Hello Alice and Progressive
  • Must sign up to Hello Alice
  • Grant amounts will vary between $5,000 and $25,000
  • Visit Hello Alice’s website to apply.

Skip Monthly Business Grant

Quick Information:

  • Must have a US SBA-eligible small business
  • $1,000 grants awarded each month
  • Detailed instructions on how to apply can be found on Skip’s website.

Small Business Digital Ready Program

Quick Information:

  • Open to all small businesses that sign up for the online course
  • $10,000 award amounts
  • The sign-up sheet for the course can be found on National Ace’s website.

US Chamber of Commerce Dream Big Award

Quick Information:

  • Must be a for-profit small business in the US
  • Categories for women-owned, veteran-owned, and minority-owned small businesses
  • Applicants can sign up for CO’s newsletter here to get updates

Fast Break for Small Businesses

Quick Information:

  • Offered by the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, and LegalZoom
  • $6 million in grants and legal services awarded
  • Those wishing to participate can sign up for email alerts.

Barclays Small Business Big Wins Contest

Quick Information:

  • 60 small businesses win $255,000 in awards
  • Applicants must submit their business’s story and photographs of their business
  • Check back regularly to stay updated on key dates and deadlines

FedEx Small Business Grant Contest

Quick Information:

  • Awarded by FedEx
  • 10 winners each receive $30,000
  • Information on the new round of the contest can be found here

2024 Government Grants for Small Businesses

Applying for a grant directly from the government is a bit more of an undertaking compared to applying for private grants. Consider this list the best how-to for both finding out if your business is the right fit for a government grant and how to apply for lengthy grants offered directly from departments of the federal, state, or local government.
MORE >> Guide to Government Grants for Small Businesses

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIT)

Quick Information:

  • Grants are awarded through 11 federal partner agencies such as the Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Commerce and the Dept. of Defense
  • Three-phase application process
  • For more information on the SBIR and SBTT programs and to apply, review the SBIR website.

USDA Rural Business Development Grants Program

Quick Information:

  • Awarded by the US Department of Agriculture
  • Applicants must fit specific usage categories and be located in a rural area as defined by the USDA
  • Check out the USDA’s website for more information

US Economic Development Administration (EDA) Small Business Grants

Quick Information:

  • Grants awarded by the EDA monthly
  • EDA also awards generous tax benefits
  • Check out the US EDA’s website where you can find monthly national grant opportunities

State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)

Quick Information:

2024 Grants for Women-Owned Small Businesses

2024 is a banner year for grants for women small business owners. This great collection of grants and resources hosts grants seeking strong and independent women small business owners. With the number of women small business owners also on the rise, the completion of these grants has never been hotter. Get your pitches and business plans together ASAP, and regard this list for up-to-date info on these grants.
MORE >> 9 Best Small Business Grants for Women

SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant

Quick Information:

  • Applicants must self-identify as a Black woman and be a business owner
  • Awards range from $5,000 to $10,000
  • Visit the SoGal website to apply

WomensNet Amber Grant for Women

Quick Information:

  • Awards offered at the end of each month and year
  • Awards range from $10,000 per month to $25,000 per year
  • Visit the WomenNet Amber Grant site to apply

digitalundivided BREAKTHROUGH Program

Quick Information:

  • Applicants must identify as women and member of the BIPOC and/or Latina community
  • Must generate at least $50,000 annually in revenue
  • Apply for the grant from the digitalundivided grant page

Tory Burch Fellows Program

Quick Information:

  • Must be 21 years old and be a woman with at least 51% ownership in a small business
  • $5,000 awards
  • Apply from the Tory Burch webpage

IFundWomen Grants Series

Quick Information:

  • Applicants can apply for more than one IFundWomen grant at a time
  • Awards range from $5,000 to $10,000
  • Review the collection of IFW grants at their website

Fearless Fund Strivers Grant Program

Quick Information:

  • Grants awarded monthly to Black women business owners
  • Applicants must have an annual revenue of less than $3,000,000
  • Apply for the grant from the Fearless Fund’s application page

Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition

Quick Information:

  • Applicants must fill out a 23-question questionnaire
  • Awards range from $5,000 to $25,000
  • Business owners can apply for selection for the in-person pitch competition from this link

Boston Women’s Fund

Quick Information:

The Girlboss Foundation

Quick Information:

  • Applicants must be women small business owners operating in the industries of fashion, design, music, or the arts
  • Grant winners receive $15,000
  • When applications go live, you can apply directly from the Girlboss Foundation website

2024 Grants for Minority-Owned Small Businesses

There is an inspiring number of grants built to both celebrate and expand minority-owned small business owners, and 2024 has certainly delivered a demanding list of grants. 2024 is also the year of newcomer grants, so even if you think you know the best grant opportunities this year, check this list first.
MORE >> 7 Grants for Minority-Owned Small Businesses

Main Street America’s Backing Small Businesses Grant Program

Quick Information:

  • Available to minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned small businesses
  • 350 small businesses are awarded $5,000, plus $25,000 to 25 winners
  • Click here for information about the program as well as an application form.

Coalition to Back Black Businesses Grant Program

Quick Information:

  • Must be a Black-owned business with 3-20 employees and operating in an underserved area
  • Award amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000
  • Check the Coalition’s website for updated information

Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice (SRRJ)

Quick Information:

  • Awarded to black-owned small businesses in the food industry operating in the South
  • 60 restaurants won $20,000 grants in 2022
  • Keep checking SRRJ’s website for updates

Lenovo Evolve Small Initiative

Quick Information:

  • Applicants must be woman-owned or minority-owned small businesses in the US or Canada
  • 10 winners are awarded $5,000 each year
  • Visit the Lenovo Evolve Small website for updated information

Comcast Rise

Quick Information:

  • Must be at least 51% owned by a minority, including Latinx, African American, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or other people of color.
  • 500 small businesses awarded $10,000 in 2022
  • Check the Comcast Rise website for updates

The Boss Network and Sage’s Invest in Progress Grant

Quick Information:

  • Applicants must be Black women entrepreneurs
  • Winners selected based on their stories and planned funds use
  • Applications can be found on Hello Alice’s Website

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Grant Program

The MBDA is a federal agency that funds grants of all sizes to minority-owned small businesses. The grants are administered by MBDA’s business centers in various states. Interested business owners can apply for the grant by visiting www.grants.gov. Obtaining a MBDA grant involves extensive paperwork and registering your business with the MBDA.

Quick Information:

  • Businesses must be minority-owned and registered with the MBDA
  • Grant sizes vary
  • Apply via the MBDA website

2024 Grants for Veteran Small Businesses

Grants for veterans are one of the best ways to give back to the men and women who have served our country. These grants reward continued service instead of at our borders but in our cities and towns. Several of the grants on this list are offered by veteran collectives that pride themselves on supportive and understanding environments for veterans. With education and mentorship opportunities , this list is one of the best ways for veteran business owners to get involved and get the funding they deserve.
MORE >> Top Small Business Grants for Veterans in 2024

Military Entrepreneur Challenge by Second Service Foundation

Quick Information:

  • Applicants must be veteran, reserve, or transitioning active-duty members of the United States Armed Services of at least 21 years of age
  • Awards range from $4,000 to $15,000
  • Apply via the Second Service Foundation website

Warrior Rising Vetrepreneur Program

Quick Information:

  • Applicants must be US Armed services, current or veteran, or a spouse or close family member of a veteran
  • Awards vary based on need
  • Apply to join the Warrior Rising Community here

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Dream Big Awards

Quick Information:

  • Applicants must be a majority owner in a for-profit business with fewer than 250 employees
    • Awards are $25,000
    • Apply for the veteran grant through the main Big Dreams portal

 

Wil Rivera

Wil Rivera

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Small Business Grants for Veterans in 2024

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Small Business Grants for Veterans

Veterans and small business are a natural match and it’s not hard to see why. Running a small business takes personal discipline and an uncommonly strong determination. These are also two very prominent traits of the men and women who serve in the American military. Those veterans who successfully adjust from servicing our nation in the military to servicing our towns and cities as small business owners are in a way continuing their mission to protect and serve.

There are several groups who recognize the value and strength of veteran small business owners and offer grants to give back to this strong community. Learn more about what opportunities are out there for veteran small business owners seeking grant funding by studying this list.

Top Grants for Veterans

Military Entrepreneur Challenge by Second Service Foundation

The Second Service Foundation (formerly the StreetShare Foundation) is a collective that provides support and a strong community for veteran small business owners through education and grants. This year Second Service is running the Military Entrepreneurship Challenge, their newest grant opportunity for veteran small business owners with a strong business idea.

Deadline: Second Service offers multiple challenges based on your local area. Subscribe to the Second Service Foundation email listing here for regular updates.

Amount: Expected to be $15,000, $6,000, and $4,000.

Where to Apply: Application page opening date TBA

Key Requirements: Applicants must be veteran, reserve, or transitioning active-duty members of the United States Armed Services of at least 21 years of age. The veteran entrant must own at least 51% of the business they are applying on behalf of and must be “low-income and otherwise lack the financial means” to grow their business. After a video application, selected entrants must pitch their business at an in-person event where winners are selected by attendees and judges.

Application Difficulty Level: Medium to Hard

Warrior Rising Vetrepreneur Program

Warrior Rising is one of the strongest and most well-known veteran business communities in America. Over the years, their funding capacity and capacity to take in new vetrepreneurs has jumped impressively and the 2024 Warrior Academy business workshop is shaping up to be the biggest yet.

Deadline: Warrior Rising accepts Vetrepreneur applications year-round

Amount: Based on individual need.

Where to Apply: Apply to join the Warrior Rising Community here.

Key Requirements: Applicants must be a member of the US Armed Services, current or veteran, or a spouse or close family member of a veteran. After applying, Warrior Rising meets vetrepreneurs where they are, in any stage of their business. Once you are a member of the community, expect invitations to regular events and funding opportunities selected for the vetrepreneur community.

Application Difficulty Level: Easy

U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO-100 Awards

The Chamber of Commerce Co-100 awards is a national grant competition with a specific category for veteran-owned small businesses. This annual contest celebrates business owners with strong business plans and well-thought-out plans for growth.

Deadline: July 8, 2024

Amount: $25,000

Where to Apply: When applications open later this year, vets can apply for the veteran grant through the main CO-100 portal.

Key Requirements: You must create an account with The Chamber of Commerce on their specific Co-100 Awards portal. The 2024 portal is not live yet, but check this page regularly for updates. Applicants for the veteran category of the Co-100 Awards must be a veteran or transitioning active-duty member of the Armed Services. The applicant must be the majority owner of a for-profit business with less than 250 employees and a gross revenue under $20 million.

Application Difficulty Level: Medium

Grants for Veterans vs Government Grants

Grants from the government operate very differently than the grants on this list. Many of the groups on this list benefit from funding that comes from the government, and this is usually how the federal or state governments get involved with grant funding. There are, however, opportunities for small business owners to get grant funding directly from the government; learn about the best ways to be involved here.
MORE >> Government Grants for Small Businesses

Choosing the Right Grant for Your Business

As a veteran small business owner, each grant on this list is both uniquely familiar with the problems you most likely face as well as the anxieties of running your business. Each grant on this list which is run by vet groups pride themselves on short applications and long relationships meaning that it is more than possible for a vet small business owner to apply to each grant on this list with no problems.

Tips for Making the Best Grant Bid

Business grants for veterans are highly competitive, so taking every step to help your grant bid stand out could help. Here are tips to focus on to help make your bid the best it can be.

Research and Review Before Applying

Before beginning any applications, conduct a thorough review of each grant to make sure it aligns with you and your business. Aside from double checking that you meet all requirements, consider looking at past winners and see how they compare to your business. Are they community-driven small businesses? Or do most past winners come form a specific business area? Putting your time and energy into the right grants could be a key to your success.

Highlight Your Story

So many grant competitions ask their applicants to demonstrate their determination and ethics but for veteran grants, the judges and review panels likely already know applying veterans are of good character. It then makes much more sense to double down on firm, specific, and dollar direct plans for what you would do with grant money. Organization is another trait inherent to our vets.

Tell the judges how service in the military relates to service in the community as a small business. The best veteran grant bids will be the ones that authentically show your acumen for business as well as your great personality. Be yourself!

Have Someone Look Over Your Application Before Submitting

Instead of reviewing your grant application yourself, consider letting a fellow business owner, mentor, or grant professional review your application. They may be able to provide valuable feedback that strengthens your application.

Alternatives to Grants

Investors: As seen on the resources section of this list, investors and venture capitalists are attracted to veterans for their discipline and loyalty. There are several great ways to seek investor funding as a veteran. But don’t feel restricted to veteran-only investor circles; being a veteran is an incredibly visible boon to any bid for investors. You sell your character as well as your business when seeking investors.

Crowdfunding: A successful crowdfunding campaign needs a compelling story and a tangible goal. Veterans have half of those criteria just by being themselves. A veteran small business owner with a story to tell would likely do quite well on a crowdfunding campaign with the right videos and digital assets. One of the other major benefits of crowdfunding is that your business is seen and recognized by all of the people who click on your campaign.

Financing: If you have a very specific plan for how you plan on using your funding and if that plan leads to you making more capital over time, financing is a great way to expedite those plans. Taking out a loan, of course, will have repayment terms unlike a grant. So only seek out financing if you are confident your business plan can lead to easy repayment.

Additional Resources for Veteran Small Business Owners

There are a number of resources set aside specifically for veteran small business owners. While not all these resources may lead to funding, the veteran business owner community is known for a focus on education.

SBA Boots to Business

The SBA Boots to Business program is an education and mentorship program for veterans with a focus on aiding vets at every level of small business ownership. From idea to brick-and-mortar, Boots to Business is a program that works on bringing the strengths of military ethics into the business world.

Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan

The Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan is a SBA-backed loan with a 4% interest rate that any business with an essential employee who is military reserve called up to active duty can apply for to cover operating expenses. The maximum amount for the loan is $2 million.

VetFran Franchising

Vetfran is a group that works to connect veteran business owners with a large group of franchise owners looking for new franchisees. Vetfran has a great collection of big-name sponsors and opportunities specifically for their veteran members.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Certification

Businesses owned by veterans who are service disabled can self-certify with the SBA as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. Once certified, these businesses have access to a specific

3% of annual federal contract dollars which are set aside for certified members.

Hivers & Strivers

Hivers & Strivers Capital is a venture capital firm with the mission of getting early-stage financing to veterans. With many vet board members and a great peer to peer network, Hivers & Strivers is one of the best ways for a veteran striving to kick off their small business to get started. Further, Hivers and Strivers has extensive staffing connections and mentorship programs.

Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship

Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) is a program hosted by the Syracuse University D’Aniello Institute for Veterans & Military Families to teach business skills to female veterans and the spouses of vets. Funded in part by the SBA, this program is renowned for its networking sphere. With regular lectures and speeches from business experts and Fortune 500 CEOs, this program is a great way to continue your business education in a friendly environment. V-WISE events are generally in person in the Syracuse area but watch the V-WISE homepage for video and teleconference events in the future.
MORE >> 9 Best Small Business Grants for Women

Business Grants for Veterans FAQs

What Can a Business Grant Be Used For?

Specifics may vary by the grant issuer, but a business grant for veterans can typically be used for development projects, growing operations, purchasing equipment or inventory, and hiring and training employees. Check the terms and conditions of the grant to verify the specific uses of the grant funds allowed.

Will My Grant Be Taxed?

In almost every case, yes. Unless otherwise stated, grant money is subject to taxation.

Is There a Downside to Applying for As Many Grants as Possible?

Especially as a veteran, there are several grant opportunities that, even if you don’t win, could lead to lasting partnerships. Veteran grant competitions are both a way to highlight great businesses and the honor of service. Apply to as many veteran grants as you have time to; you may walk out of them with a new community of veteran business owners ready to help you in a way even more valuable than capital.

Do I Have to Pay to Apply for a Grant?

No veteran grant on this list has an application fee.

Wil Rivera

Wil Rivera

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Small Business Grants for Veterans in 2024

by
Small Business Grants for Veterans

Veterans and small business are a natural match and it’s not hard to see why. Running a small business takes personal discipline and an uncommonly strong determination. These are also two very prominent traits of the men and women who serve in the American military. Those veterans who successfully adjust from servicing our nation in the military to servicing our towns and cities as small business owners are in a way continuing their mission to protect and serve.

There are several groups who recognize the value and strength of veteran small business owners and offer grants to give back to this strong community. Learn more about what opportunities are out there for veteran small business owners seeking grant funding by studying this list.

Top Grants for Veterans

Military Entrepreneur Challenge by Second Service Foundation

The Second Service Foundation (formerly the StreetShare Foundation) is a collective that provides support and a strong community for veteran small business owners through education and grants. This year Second Service is running the Military Entrepreneurship Challenge, their newest grant opportunity for veteran small business owners with a strong business idea.

Deadline: Second Service offers multiple challenges based on your local area. Subscribe to the Second Service Foundation email listing here for regular updates.

Amount: Expected to be $15,000, $6,000, and $4,000.

Where to Apply: Application page opening date TBA

Key Requirements: Applicants must be veteran, reserve, or transitioning active-duty members of the United States Armed Services of at least 21 years of age. The veteran entrant must own at least 51% of the business they are applying on behalf of and must be “low-income and otherwise lack the financial means” to grow their business. After a video application, selected entrants must pitch their business at an in-person event where winners are selected by attendees and judges.

Application Difficulty Level: Medium to Hard

Warrior Rising Vetrepreneur Program

Warrior Rising is one of the strongest and most well-known veteran business communities in America. Over the years, their funding capacity and capacity to take in new vetrepreneurs has jumped impressively and the 2024 Warrior Academy business workshop is shaping up to be the biggest yet.

Deadline: Warrior Rising accepts Vetrepreneur applications year-round

Amount: Based on individual need.

Where to Apply: Apply to join the Warrior Rising Community here.

Key Requirements: Applicants must be a member of the US Armed Services, current or veteran, or a spouse or close family member of a veteran. After applying, Warrior Rising meets vetrepreneurs where they are, in any stage of their business. Once you are a member of the community, expect invitations to regular events and funding opportunities selected for the vetrepreneur community.

Application Difficulty Level: Easy

U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO-100 Awards

The Chamber of Commerce Co-100 awards is a national grant competition with a specific category for veteran-owned small businesses. This annual contest celebrates business owners with strong business plans and well-thought-out plans for growth.

Deadline: July 8, 2024

Amount: $25,000

Where to Apply: When applications open later this year, vets can apply for the veteran grant through the main CO-100 portal.

Key Requirements: You must create an account with The Chamber of Commerce on their specific Co-100 Awards portal. The 2024 portal is not live yet, but check this page regularly for updates. Applicants for the veteran category of the Co-100 Awards must be a veteran or transitioning active-duty member of the Armed Services. The applicant must be the majority owner of a for-profit business with less than 250 employees and a gross revenue under $20 million.

Application Difficulty Level: Medium

Grants for Veterans vs Government Grants

Grants from the government operate very differently than the grants on this list. Many of the groups on this list benefit from funding that comes from the government, and this is usually how the federal or state governments get involved with grant funding. There are, however, opportunities for small business owners to get grant funding directly from the government; learn about the best ways to be involved here.
MORE >> Government Grants for Small Businesses

Choosing the Right Grant for Your Business

As a veteran small business owner, each grant on this list is both uniquely familiar with the problems you most likely face as well as the anxieties of running your business. Each grant on this list which is run by vet groups pride themselves on short applications and long relationships meaning that it is more than possible for a vet small business owner to apply to each grant on this list with no problems.

Tips for Making the Best Grant Bid

Business grants for veterans are highly competitive, so taking every step to help your grant bid stand out could help. Here are tips to focus on to help make your bid the best it can be.

Research and Review Before Applying

Before beginning any applications, conduct a thorough review of each grant to make sure it aligns with you and your business. Aside from double checking that you meet all requirements, consider looking at past winners and see how they compare to your business. Are they community-driven small businesses? Or do most past winners come form a specific business area? Putting your time and energy into the right grants could be a key to your success.

Highlight Your Story

So many grant competitions ask their applicants to demonstrate their determination and ethics but for veteran grants, the judges and review panels likely already know applying veterans are of good character. It then makes much more sense to double down on firm, specific, and dollar direct plans for what you would do with grant money. Organization is another trait inherent to our vets.

Tell the judges how service in the military relates to service in the community as a small business. The best veteran grant bids will be the ones that authentically show your acumen for business as well as your great personality. Be yourself!

Have Someone Look Over Your Application Before Submitting

Instead of reviewing your grant application yourself, consider letting a fellow business owner, mentor, or grant professional review your application. They may be able to provide valuable feedback that strengthens your application.

Alternatives to Grants

Investors: As seen on the resources section of this list, investors and venture capitalists are attracted to veterans for their discipline and loyalty. There are several great ways to seek investor funding as a veteran. But don’t feel restricted to veteran-only investor circles; being a veteran is an incredibly visible boon to any bid for investors. You sell your character as well as your business when seeking investors.

Crowdfunding: A successful crowdfunding campaign needs a compelling story and a tangible goal. Veterans have half of those criteria just by being themselves. A veteran small business owner with a story to tell would likely do quite well on a crowdfunding campaign with the right videos and digital assets. One of the other major benefits of crowdfunding is that your business is seen and recognized by all of the people who click on your campaign.

Financing: If you have a very specific plan for how you plan on using your funding and if that plan leads to you making more capital over time, financing is a great way to expedite those plans. Taking out a loan, of course, will have repayment terms unlike a grant. So only seek out financing if you are confident your business plan can lead to easy repayment.

Additional Resources for Veteran Small Business Owners

There are a number of resources set aside specifically for veteran small business owners. While not all these resources may lead to funding, the veteran business owner community is known for a focus on education.

SBA Boots to Business

The SBA Boots to Business program is an education and mentorship program for veterans with a focus on aiding vets at every level of small business ownership. From idea to brick-and-mortar, Boots to Business is a program that works on bringing the strengths of military ethics into the business world.

Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan

The Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan is a SBA-backed loan with a 4% interest rate that any business with an essential employee who is military reserve called up to active duty can apply for to cover operating expenses. The maximum amount for the loan is $2 million.

VetFran Franchising

Vetfran is a group that works to connect veteran business owners with a large group of franchise owners looking for new franchisees. Vetfran has a great collection of big-name sponsors and opportunities specifically for their veteran members.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Certification

Businesses owned by veterans who are service disabled can self-certify with the SBA as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. Once certified, these businesses have access to a specific

3% of annual federal contract dollars which are set aside for certified members.

Hivers & Strivers

Hivers & Strivers Capital is a venture capital firm with the mission of getting early-stage financing to veterans. With many vet board members and a great peer to peer network, Hivers & Strivers is one of the best ways for a veteran striving to kick off their small business to get started. Further, Hivers and Strivers has extensive staffing connections and mentorship programs.

Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship

Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) is a program hosted by the Syracuse University D’Aniello Institute for Veterans & Military Families to teach business skills to female veterans and the spouses of vets. Funded in part by the SBA, this program is renowned for its networking sphere. With regular lectures and speeches from business experts and Fortune 500 CEOs, this program is a great way to continue your business education in a friendly environment. V-WISE events are generally in person in the Syracuse area but watch the V-WISE homepage for video and teleconference events in the future.
MORE >> 9 Best Small Business Grants for Women

Business Grants for Veterans FAQs

What Can a Business Grant Be Used For?

Specifics may vary by the grant issuer, but a business grant for veterans can typically be used for development projects, growing operations, purchasing equipment or inventory, and hiring and training employees. Check the terms and conditions of the grant to verify the specific uses of the grant funds allowed.

Will My Grant Be Taxed?

In almost every case, yes. Unless otherwise stated, grant money is subject to taxation.

Is There a Downside to Applying for As Many Grants as Possible?

Especially as a veteran, there are several grant opportunities that, even if you don’t win, could lead to lasting partnerships. Veteran grant competitions are both a way to highlight great businesses and the honor of service. Apply to as many veteran grants as you have time to; you may walk out of them with a new community of veteran business owners ready to help you in a way even more valuable than capital.

Do I Have to Pay to Apply for a Grant?

No veteran grant on this list has an application fee.

Wil Rivera

Wil Rivera

Read More Articles >>

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Small Business Grants and Contests Still Available in Illinois

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Illinois, or the Prairie State as some call it, is home to 2.1 million small businesses, with over 232,000 located in the Windy City of Chicago, making it one of the most populous states for small businesses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 35% of the state’s small businesses were forced to shutter either temporarily or permanently, and rising interest rates, worker shortages and spiking inflation are further squeezing them.

Now is the time for small businesses in the state to search high and low for grant opportunities and contests in which they can gain access to free money in order to survive. Here is a list of grants and contests on both a national and local level that are still available to Illinois-based small businesses. 

On a National Level:

Kapitus’ $250K Building Resilient Businesses Contest – Deadline is Looming!

Kapitus has launched its Building Resilient Businesses contest, in which one first-place winner will receive $100,000; one second-place winner will receive $50,000 and five third-place winners will each receive $20,000. To enter, simply send a homemade, 2-minute video briefly describing your business, how it was able to persevere over the last two years, and how you would spend $100,000. The contest is open to all small businesses in the US (excluding Vermont and Colorado) that have been in business for at least a year and have less than $5 million in annual revenue. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2022. To enter the contest, click here.

Antares REACH Grant Program

Small business consulting firm Hello Alice will award $20,000 in grants to women- and minority-owned

Antares Reach Small Business Grants Illinois

The Antares REACH Grant program is giving away $20,000 to women- and minority-owned small businesses nationwide.

businesses to help them prepare for the next stages of growth. The grants are being funded by Chicago-based private equity firm Antares Capital. Applicants must have less than $5 million in annual revenue, have a demonstrated need for support and a strong business plan for growth. Grant winners will be eligible for an additional $5,000 in funding after completion of a post-grant support. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2020. To apply, you are required to become a member of Hello Alice’s community of small businesses. For more information, click here.

WomensNet Amber Grant

WomensNet gives away one $10,000 grant and four $1000 grants to women-owned businesses in distinct categories every month such as skilled trades (January), hair care and beauty products (August) and Creative Arts (October). The site also gives grants of $25,000 to two businesses each at the end of each year, with both of them being previous $10,000 monthly grant winners. Applications are due on the last day of every month. To apply, click here. 

American Express and Main Street America’s Inclusive Backing Grants

AmEx and Main Street America are providing more than 300 grants of $5,000 each over four cycles throughout 2022 to small businesses located in older or historic commercial districts with priority to be given to small businesses owned by the LGBTQ+ community, Hispanic-owned, veteran-owned, and business owners who are women and people of color. Applications for the fourth grant cycle are now being accepted by business owners who identify as native or indigenous people, Hispanic, LGBTQ+ and immigrants and refugees. Membership in the National Main Street Center is not required. Applications for the fourth grant cycle can be found here.

Skip Monthly Business Grant

Skip is a California-based social media company that helps both people and businesses get access to government-related services and information and is part of YoGov.org. Every month since March 2020, Skip uses revenues from its YouTube channel which awards $1,000 grants to small business owners as well as free services and information. The winner is announced on its YouTube channel on the third Wednesday of every month. For more information and to apply, click here.  

 

State Level: Open to Illinois Small Businesses Only

The Land of Lincoln also has several grant and contest opportunities, especially in Chicago, that are still open:

Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Grants 

Chicago’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund is giving away grants three times in 2022 to small businesses in Chicago’s West, Southwest, and South sides to make improvements to their physical locations. These improvements can include land acquisition for expansion, roofing replacement or repairs and money to cover financing fees for a loan or lines of credit. The awards are up to $250,000 for small improvement projects and over $250,000 to $2.5 million for large projects. Deadlines for the second and third rounds of applications have not yet been established, but you can still apply. To learn more, click here.

City of Chicago’s Annual Business Plan Competition

Chicago Small Business Grants loans

The city of Chicago is giving away several grants to keep its small businesses afloat.

Chicago’s Office of the Treasurer Stephanie Neely is administering a contest to startups and young businesses in Chicago. The first-place winner, to be announced sometime in October, will take home $5,000. To enter, a small business must be a startup or no more than three-years-old with annual revenues of no more than $2 million. Applicants must submit their business plans as well as templates for their executive summaries. Applications are due on July 6, 2022. To learn more, click here. 

Restaurant Employee Relief Fund

The Illinois Restaurant Association Education Relief Foundation is awarding grants to restaurant employees who have faced personal and financial hardships within the past 90 days to encourage food service workers in the state to remain at their jobs. Those hardships include unexpected illness or injury, death of a family member or a natural disaster. The grants range from $250 to $1,500. While not paid directly to business owners, this grant can help owners make things a little easier on staff that is sticking it out through the hard times. Deadline to apply is August 31, 2022. To apply, click here.

Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) Remodeling Grants

The SBIF Remodeling grants are aimed at larger small businesses in Chicago with physical locations that are seeking to remodel or visually improve their business locations. To be eligible, the applicant must employ up to 200 workers, and have an average of $9 million in annual sales over the previous three years. Or commercial property owners with a net worth of up to $9 million and liquid assets of up to $500,000. The grant will cover 30% to 90% of a business’ remodeling work up to $150,000. The first deadline for applications is June 30, 2022, while the second and third deadlines are on August 1st and August 31st, respectively. To learn more, click here. 

Don’t Give Up Free Money!

With most federal pandemic aid programs dried up and current economic challenges such as inflation and rising interest rates putting a further squeeze on small businesses, it is more important than ever to apply for a chance to get free money for your business, be it through local or national grants or contests. 

 

 

Related Articles:

Small Business Grants and Contests Still Available in New Jersey

Small Business Grants and Contests Still Available in Florida

Small Business Grants Still Available in California

Small Business Grants Still Available in New York

 

 

Vince Calio

Vince Calio

Content Writer
Vince Calio has been a writer for Kapitus since 2021. Before that, he spent three years operating a dry-cleaning store in Rahway, NJ that he inherited before selling the business, so he’s familiar with the challenges of operating a small business. Prior to that, Vince spent 14 years as both a financial journalist and content writer, most notably with Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications.

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Small Business Grants Still Available in New Jersey

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New Jersey serves as the headquarters for some of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world and is known for its sprawling suburbs, manufacturing capabilities, pristine shorelines and its 861,000 small businesses. However, high taxes, bloated state budgets and little support from the state government has always made it a tough place for small businesses to thrive in. 

Those difficulties were compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit the Garden State’s small business community harder than 2013’s Superstorm Sandy. From restaurants along one of the state’s many boardwalks to retailers in one of the state’s 52 cities, roughly one-third of small businesses temporarily or permanently closed between 2020 and 2021. Many continue to struggle to stay afloat to this day, especially with spiking inflation, interest rate hikes and another recession looming.

Fortunately, there are several grant programs and contests available on both a national and state level that can help those small businesses survive and grow. 

On a national level, there are grants and contests that are still open that can land you a large pool of money and are worth applying for:

Kapitus’ $250K Building Resilient Businesses Contest – Deadline is Looming!

Kapitus has launched its Building Resilient Businesses contest, in which one first-place winner will receive $100,000; one second-place winner will receive $50,000 and five third-place winners will each receive $20,000. 

To enter, simply send a homemade, 2-minute video briefly describing your business, how it was able to persevere over the last two years, and how you would spend $100,000. The contest is open to all small businesses in the US (excluding Vermont and Colorado) that have been in business for at least a year and have less than $5 million in annual revenue. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2022. To enter the contest, click here.

WomensNet Amber Grant

WomensNet gives away one $10,000 grant and four $1000 grants to women-owned businesses in distinct categories every month such as skilled trades (January), hair care and beauty products (August) and Creative Arts (October). The site also gives grants of $25,000 to two businesses each at the end of each year, with both of them being previous $10,000 monthly grant winners. Applications are due on the last day of every month. To apply, click here. 

American Express and Main Street America’s Inclusive Backing Grants

AmEx and Main Street America are providing more than 300 grants of $5,000 each over four cycles throughout 2022 to small businesses located in older or historic commercial districts with priority to be given to small businesses owned by the LGBTQ+ community, Hispanic-owned, veteran-owned, and business owners who are women and people of color. 

Applications for the fourth grant cycle are now being accepted by business owners who identify as native or indigenous people, Hispanic, LGBTQ+ and immigrants and refugees. Membership in the National Main Street Center is not required. Applications for the fourth grant cycle can be found here.

Skip Monthly Business Grant

Skip is a California-based social media company that helps both people and businesses get access to government-related services and information and is part of YoGov.org. Every month since March 2020, Skip uses revenues from its YouTube channel to award $1,000 grants to small business owners as well as free services and information. The winner is announced on its YouTube channel on the third Wednesday of every month. For more information and to apply, click here.  

State Level: Open to New Jersey Small Businesses Only

Despite the fact that most of the pandemic-related federal aid to small businesses has dried up, the state is still offering several grants and inexpensive financing opportunities to assist small- and micro-businesses:

The Small Business Lease Grant

New Jersey Economic Development Small Business Loans Grants

Small Businesses in the Garden State should always keep an eye on The NJ Economic Development Corp. for new grant and tax relief opportunities.

The NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is administering grants to help small businesses and nonprofits with physical locations pay their rents. The $10 million program was funded by the NJ Economic Recovery Act passed in 2021 and is being funded by the state’s Main Street Recovery Finance Program. 

The idea behind the program is to assist in filling vacant lots across the state and assist in the growth of small businesses. Applicants must have a new or newly amended lease that is at least 250 sq. ft. larger than their previous space, and the lease must be for a minimum of five years. Deadline is ongoing, and funding amount depends on the business. To learn more, click here. 

New Jersey State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)

New Jersey has always been a major hub for international trade due to its many marine ports, such as the Port Newark Container Terminal, the Port Jersey container terminal in Jersey City and South Jersey Port Corp. in Camden. 

As such, the NJ State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), in conjunction with the US Small Business Administration, are offering year-round grants to small businesses in the state that are new to overseas trade or sell their products and services overseas. Applicants must have been in business for at least one year at the time of application and manufacture goods or produce services that are at least 51% US content. To learn more, click here.

NJEDA Small Business Improvement Grant Program

NJEDA is awarding grants of up to $50,000 to assist small businesses with physical locations in making improvements and upgrades to their buildings, as well as with purchasing new furniture, office equipment and fixtures. The project costs must be at least $5,000 and must have been at most two years prior to the date of application. 

Total project costs that exceed $50,000 will be subject to Green Building Standards, and applicants that use at least four workers may be subject to affirmative action requirements. Applicants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. There is no set deadline for application To learn more about the grant program and apply, click here.

Main Street Micro Business Loan Program

NJEDA also oversees the Main Street Micro Business Loan Program. While this is not a grant program, it is popular among very small businesses in the state because it provides long-term, low interest loans to businesses in the state with 10 or fewer employees and annual revenues of no more than $1.5 million. The maximum term for these loans is 10 years and carry an annualized interest rate of 2%. The applicants must have been in business for at least six months. No collateral is required for the loan. To learn more and apply, click here.

Free Money is Better than Attitude!

Best selling author Janet Evanovitch once described New Jersey as a place “where dignity always runs a poor second to getting in someone’s face.” While the state’s small business owners may be tough and have attitude, they’re still going to need help, especially in the economically volatile times we’re living in. If you do own a small business in the Garden State, keep the door open to any new opportunities for free money.

Vince Calio

Vince Calio

Content Writer
Vince Calio has been a writer for Kapitus since 2021. Before that, he spent three years operating a dry-cleaning store in Rahway, NJ that he inherited before selling the business, so he’s familiar with the challenges of operating a small business. Prior to that, Vince spent 14 years as both a financial journalist and content writer, most notably with Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications.

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Small Business Grants, Contests Still Available in Florida

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Small Business Grants Lending Florida Kapitus

With major economic hubs such as Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa Bay, Florida ranks number three in terms of states with the highest number of small businesses. The state’s 2.5 million small businesses rank it behind only California and Texas. 

With a high number of such businesses, however, comes a high amount of pain: the Sunshine State saw over 32% of its small businesses permanently or temporarily close during the height of the pandemic, one of the highest figures in the country. 

With yet another national recession looming on the horizon, getting free money has never been more important to the survival of the state’s small businesses. Fortunately, there are several small business grants and contests still available to small businesses in Florida on both a state and national level. On a national level, there are grants and contests that are still open that can land you a large pool of money and are worth applying for:

Kapitus’ $250K Building Resilient Businesses Contest – Deadline is Looming!

Kapitus has launched its Building Resilient Businesses contest, in which one first-place winner will receive $100,000; one second-place winner will receive $50,000 and five third-place winners will each receive $20,000. To enter, simply send a homemade, 2-minute video briefly describing your business, how it was able to persevere over the last two years, and how you would spend $100,000. The contest is open to all small businesses in the US (excluding Vermont and Colorado) that have been in business for at least a year and have less than $5 million in annual revenue. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2022. To enter the contest, click here.

WomensNet Amber Grant

Florida is home to 1.1 million women-owned small businesses, making it the state with the third-highest

Lending Grants Small Business Kapitus Women-Only

Previous winners of the Amber Grant for women-owned small businesses.

total of those businesses, so the WomensNet Amber Grants are very applicable to the state. WomensNet gives away one $10,000 grant and four $1000 grants to women-owned businesses in distinct categories every month such as skilled trades (January), hair care and beauty products (August) and Creative Arts (October). The site also gives grants of $25,000 to two businesses each at the end of each year, with both of them being previous $10,000 monthly grant winners. Applications are due on the last day of every month. To apply, click here. 

American Express and Main Street America’s Inclusive Backing Grants

AmEx and Main Street America are providing more than 300 grants of $5,000 each over four cycles throughout 2022 to small businesses located in older or historic commercial districts with priority to be given to small businesses owned by the LGBTQ+ community, Hispanic-owned, veteran-owned, and business owners who are women and people of color. Applications for the fourth grant cycle are now being accepted by business owners who identify as native or indigenous people, Hispanic, LGBTQ+ and immigrants and refugees. Membership in the National Main Street Center is not required. Applications for the fourth grant cycle can be found here.

State-Level: Open to Florida Small Businesses Only

Currently, there are several grant programs that are still available for small businesses operating in Florida to apply to. 

Florida High Tech Research Grants

The Florida High Tech Research Corridor is a public-private partnership between successful high-tech startups in the 23-county region of southern and central Florida and the Universities of Central and South Florida. 

The Corridor provides up to $150,000 in funds for applied research projects between private startups and small high-tech firms and university researchers. Funding is provided directly to the university research team and is used to expand the project’s scope of work and allow our students to participate in cutting-edge, applied research. Industry partners must execute a sponsored research agreement with the university to formalize the project plan and terms. To learn more, click here.

Axis Helps Miami Small Business Grants

Axis Helps Miami, a resource company for small businesses in the Miami-Dade area of the state, is offering several grant opportunities to various small businesses. One is a $50,000 grant to women- and minority-owned small businesses in the area and will include consulting services as well as free advertising at Miami Heat games and partnership endorsements for your business. 

The deadline to apply is July 11, 2022. Another grant will provide $20,000 to small businesses in the area that are looking to scale up but don’t have the funds to do so. The deadline for that grant is July 15, 2022. To explore each grant program Axis Helps Miami is offering, click here. 

Seminole County’s Small Business Assistance Program

Since 2021, Seminole County has been giving grants to small businesses in the county of up to $15,000 to support expenses such as payroll, office utilities and remote access equipment. Applicants must be a for-profit business within Seminole County since at least the beginning of 2020 and must be a member of Sunbiz, a website maintained by Florida state government’s Division of Corporations. Applicants must provide their taxpayer identification number. Commercially zoned businesses with 26-50 employees will receive $15,000 if chosen, while businesses with 2-25 employees will receive $10,000 if chosen. Home- or mobile-based businesses with no more than one employee in addition to the owner can receive $5,000.

CareerSource Florida’s Incumbent Worker Training Grant – Apply Soon!

CareerSource Florida is awarding up to $100,000 to any small business owner in the Sunshine state who is seeking to train existing employees with new skills. The employee must work at least 37.5 hours per week and must have been employed with the applicant for a minimum of six months. Those interested must register with CareerSource Florida’s website. Deadline for applications is June 30, 2022. To apply, click here.

Enterprise Florida International’s (EFI) Virtual Business Matchmaking Grants

Enterprise Florida is offering grants of up to $2,500 for small businesses in the state interested in expanding overseas, but do not want to have to travel to set up an export program. The program includes virtual introductions with pre-screened overseas partners and distributors via teleconference or videoconference. The program also includes a grant that covers the full cost of matchmaker service, whether it is provided by EFI or the federal government’s US Commercial International Trade organization. Companies can apply year-round. Grants must be approved before the first day of virtual matchmaking appointments. For more information, click here.

Orlando Business Assistance Program

The city of Orlando isn’t just known for Disney World and Universal Studios, it’s also home to over 37,000 small businesses. The city’s Business Assistance Program provides grants throughout the year to assist businesses in relocating or expanding in Orlando, which include funds for development fees, permitting and other costs associated with relocating and expanding. Small businesses must pay half the related costs, and the grant amounts can be up to $20,000. To learn more about this program, click here.

Apply Soon!

If you’re a small business in Florida, any chance to gain access to funds would probably be welcome, as after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and current tough economic conditions such as high inflation, rising interest rates and an employee shortage are still rocking the economy. Act quickly, as many deadlines for small business grants and contests are coming up quickly.

Vince Calio

Vince Calio

Content Writer
Vince Calio has been a writer for Kapitus since 2021. Before that, he spent three years operating a dry-cleaning store in Rahway, NJ that he inherited before selling the business, so he’s familiar with the challenges of operating a small business. Prior to that, Vince spent 14 years as both a financial journalist and content writer, most notably with Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications.

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Small Business Grants Still Available in California

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Small Business Grants Lending Kapitus California

With major urban hubs such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose, California is indeed a golden place for small businesses. With 4.1 million small businesses scattered throughout the state, California boasts the largest population of small businesses in the US, eclipsing even New York and Texas. 

With the most small businesses, however, came the most suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic out of any other state. By 2021, over 40,000 small businesses were forced to close, including one-third of the state’s independently owned restaurants. Also, more PPP loans were taken out by California small businesses than in any other state. 

Congress has made it clear that they are not going to allocate any more COVID relief money for small businesses. Programs such as PPP and the Restaurant Revitalization fund most likely will not be given any renewed funding, so small businesses in the Golden State are going to have to turn to grants for relief.

There are still some state and national grants and contests that California small businesses can apply to.

Kapitus’ $250K Building Reliant Businesses Contest

Kapitus has launched its Building Resilient Businesses contest, in which one first-place winner will receive $100,000, one second-place winning will receive $50,000, and five third-place winners will each receive $20,000. To enter, simply send a homemade, 2-minute video briefly describing your business, how it was able to persevere over the past two years, and how you would spend $100,000. The contest is open to all small businesses in the US (excluding Vermont and Colorado) that have been in business for at least a year and have less than $5 million in annual revenue. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2022. To enter the contest, go here.

The Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR)

These two federal programs serve as a conduit between small businesses engaged in scientific research and development and government agencies seeking to provide them with grants, and especially pertains to California’s Silicon Valley, the world’s largest hub for technology startups. Grants come in all sizes from various agencies. For example, the US Dept, of Energy provides grants to small businesses innovating in energy production. The STTR program requires that applying small businesses have a partnership with a nonprofit scientific research organization. To qualify for either program, click here.

American Express and Main Street America’s Inclusive Backing Grants

California has one of the largest Hispanic and LGBTQ populations in the country, so the American Express and Mainstreet America’s Inclusive Backing Grants national program very much so pertains to the Golden state. AmEx and Main Street America is providing more than 300 grants of $5,000 each over four cycles throughout 2022 to small businesses located in older or historic commercial districts with priority to be given to small businesses owned by the LBGTQ+ community, Hispanic-owned, veteran-owned, and business owners who are women and people of color. Applications for the fourth grant cycle are now being accepted by business owners who identify as native or indigenous people, Hispanic, LGBTQ+ and immigrants and refugees. Membership in the National Main Street Center is not required. Applications for the fourth grant cycle can be found here.

The California Dream Fund

The California Dream Fund is a $35 million small business grant program by the state’s Office of the Small Business Advocate through select centers of the state’s Technical Assistance Expansion Program (TAEP) . New entrepreneurs and small business owners must complete an intensive training program through select participating centers of their local TAEP office. Following successful completion of the training and consulting program, new businesses will be eligible to apply for a microgrant of up to $10,000. Those interested can apply here. 

The Job Creators Quest Grants

Southern California business owners who identify as people of color, military veteran or with the LGBTQ+ community with two to 20 employees can still apply for a $100,000 grant program from Founders First, which will choose 30 winners by the end of the year. As a business owner, you need to demonstrate that the grant money would be used as growth capital or to provide premium wage jobs, as well as fix or enhance vital equipment in order to scale up your business. The deadline to apply is Nov. 30, 2022, and the small business applicants must be located in the Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego regions. Those interested can apply here. 

The San Francisco Storefront Grant Program

The city of San Francisco is providing $1,000 to $3,000 grants to assist small businesses in low-income districts become compliant with the city’s Accessible Business Entrance program that ensures that businesses are accommodating to those with disabilities. To qualify, your business must have been sued for not being accessible to disabled peoples and be a nonprofit. The deadline for the grant program is June 30, 2022. Interested applicants can learn more about the program here.

Don’t Lose Free Money

Small businesses across the country are being hit with the trifecta of bad economic conditions: skyrocketing inflation, staff shortages and supply chain disruptions, and that condition is being especially felt in the most economically diverse state in the country, California. Small business owners should seek to obtain grants any way they can in these uncertain times.

Vince Calio

Vince Calio

Content Writer
Vince Calio has been a writer for Kapitus since 2021. Before that, he spent three years operating a dry-cleaning store in Rahway, NJ that he inherited before selling the business, so he’s familiar with the challenges of operating a small business. Prior to that, Vince spent 14 years as both a financial journalist and content writer, most notably with Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications.

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Small Business Grants Still Available in New York State

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Grants New York State Kapitus Small Business

Federal pandemic-related assistance for small businesses has all but dried up, as money for programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs have been used and Congress is pushing back hard on renewing them. As small businesses are still reeling from the current, difficult economic conditions, they can still turn to their state governments and other corporations for grants and relief packages. 

Various states have different programs that are set up and still funded, and if you still need help as a small business, you should look into whether you qualify for any of these grants. 

The Empire State

If you’re seeking state aid for small businesses, New York is a great place to start. There are more than 623,000 small businesses in New York State (including New York City) that account for 53% of the jobs in the state, making New York one of the biggest hubs for small businesses in the US. The state is offering several small business grants, and there are even some national grants (and one contest!) that small businesses in New York can apply for.

Kapitus’ $250K Building Resilient Businesses Contest

Kapitus has launched its Building Resilient Businesses contest, in which one first-place winner will receive $100,000, one second-place winner will receive $50,000, and five third-place winners will receive $20,000. To enter, simply send a homemade, 2-3 minute video of yourself briefly describing your business, how it was able to persevere over the past two years, and how you would spend $100,000. The contest is open to all small businesses in the US (excluding Vermont and Colorado) that have been in business for at least a year and have less than $5 million in annual revenue. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2022 For an official list of rules, click here.

The State Farm LISC Grant Partnership

State Farm, through its partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is providing new grants totaling $2 million to support small businesses in underserved communities. Some funding will go towards helping small businesses operate in low income communities, and some will go towards community development. The latest round of funding will go towards 12 communities: New York City, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Central Illinois, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix and the Puget Sound region in Washington State. 

Olean Marketing and Rent Grants

The city of Olean, NY is giving out grants to assist small businesses with rent.

The city of Olean in upstate New York is offering local small businesses with $200,000 in small business grants. Small businesses can apply for money to cover marketing costs, including advertising and eCommerce set up costs, and to help with rent as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible small businesses can have 25% of their rent covered for up to two years. Businesses can apply for up to $5,000 under each program. There are multiple rounds in this grant program, and the first deadline is June 10, followed by July 15, 2022 and August 12, 2022. 

New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program

New York’s state government is still providing grant assistance to small businesses that suffered through the pandemic. These small businesses can be micro-businesses or arts and cultural organizations, and the amount they can apply for ranges between $5,000 to $50,000. Businesses can apply by phone, and there is no set deadline.

Tourism Return-to-Work Program

 New York’s Empire State Development program is offering grants to small businesses in the tourism, transportation and accommodations industries throughout the state to encourage employment. Eligible businesses must have hired or plan to hire at least two full-time employees in the first half of 2022 and show that their business suffered through the pandemic. Grants may provide up to $5,000 for each employee. There is no stated deadline for these grants. 

Meet in New York Grant Program

New York’s Empire State Development Program is also offering grants to small businesses that host  conferences, meetings and trade shows throughout the state in order to invigorate  tourism and boost economic activity that had slowed due to coronavirus. Grants will cover a portion of the costs of events and offer discounts through tourism businesses. For example, the grant may  offer to cover the costs of blocks of hotel rooms so event planners can offer discounts to event attendees. Venues with capacities of at least 250 people are eligible. There is no hard deadline for these grants.

New York Restaurant Resiliency Program

If you own a restaurant in New York and are worried that the federal Restaurant Resiliency Program has

New York State’s Restaurant Resiliency program is still granting money to food service businesses and food banks.

been shut down, then worry no more: New York State’s Dept. of Agriculture and Markets’ Restaurant Resiliency program is still open for business and is providing $25 million in funding to restaurants and food banks through the state. The funding goes to food banks, which can then be used by restaurants to cover meals. Food businesses can apply online, and food banks can apply for direct assistance.

The Biodefense Commercialization Fund

If you’re a small business in New York state that specializes in certain aspects of healthcare such as infectious diseases, vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic tools, you’re in luck. The state is offering up to $40 million in grants to startups and academic centers that specialize in this field to encourage the expansion of availability of various treatments and vaccines for infectious diseases. Grants range between $1 million to $4 million, while academic institutions can apply for amounts between $250,000 and $500,000. Eligible companies must have received or are in the process of receiving series A or B funding and intend to stay in business for at least three years after receiving their grants. Small business can apply online.

New York Arts Grants 

The New York State Council on the Arts is providing over $3 million in grants to entrepreneurs or individuals seeking to pursue a career in various artistic fields, including emergency grants for those experiencing health issues and receiving awards, as well as fellowship opportunities for new artists. Deadlines to apply are throughout the year and next year, and this includes artists and studios throughout the state, including New York City. 

Don’t Give up Free Money!

While the US Congress has apparently shut its doors to new pandemic relief spending, your should always look to your state government or national grant programs that your small business may be eligible for. There is financial relief for your business, and with a little research, you will be able to find it.

 

 

 

Related Articles:

Small Business Grants and Contests Still Available in New Jersey

Small Business Grants and Contests Still Available in Florida

Small Business Grants Still Available in California

Small Business Grants and Contests Still Available in Illinois

Vince Calio

Vince Calio

Content Writer
Vince Calio has been a writer for Kapitus since 2021. Before that, he spent three years operating a dry-cleaning store in Rahway, NJ that he inherited before selling the business, so he’s familiar with the challenges of operating a small business. Prior to that, Vince spent 14 years as both a financial journalist and content writer, most notably with Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications.

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