Small Business Grants: Where to Find Free Funding (2026)
By Wealthvieu · Updated
Small business grants provide free funding you never have to repay. While they’re competitive, knowing where to look and how to apply can give you a real advantage. Here’s a comprehensive guide to finding grants in 2026.
Table of Contents
Federal Government Grants
Major Federal Grant Sources
Program
Amount
Eligibility
Focus Area
SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research)
$50,000-$1.5M+
Small businesses with R&D capability
Technology, science, defense
STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer)
$50,000-$1.5M+
Small businesses partnering with research institutions
Technology transfer, commercialization
USDA Rural Business Development Grants
$10,000-$500,000
Rural businesses and nonprofits
Rural economic development
EDA (Economic Development Administration)
Varies ($100K-$3M+)
Communities and businesses in distressed areas
Economic development, job creation
HUBZone Program
Set-aside contracts
Businesses in historically underutilized zones
Government contracting preferences
Grants.gov (all federal grants)
Varies widely
Depends on specific grant
Searchable database of all federal grants
How Federal Grant Phases Work (SBIR/STTR)
Phase
Purpose
Funding Amount
Duration
Phase I
Feasibility study / proof of concept
$50,000-$275,000
6-12 months
Phase II
Full R&D based on Phase I results
$500,000-$1,500,000
2 years
Phase III
Commercialization (often self-funded or VC)
No SBIR funding; use private capital
Varies
Private and Corporate Grants
Top Private Small Business Grants
Grant Program
Amount
Frequency
Eligibility
Deadline
FedEx Small Business Grant
$15,000-$50,000
Annual (spring)
U.S. small businesses, 6+ months old
February-March
Amber Grant for Women
$10,000/month + $25,000 annual
Monthly and annual
Women-owned businesses
End of each month
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
$4,000
Quarterly
NASE members
Quarterly deadlines
Nav Small Business Grant
$10,000
Quarterly
U.S. small businesses
Quarterly
Hello Alice Small Business Grant
$5,000-$50,000
Rolling throughout year
Various (often underrepresented founders)
Rolling
Visa Everywhere Initiative
$50,000-$100,000
Annual
Fintech and payment startups
Varies
Amazon Small Business Grants
$5,000-$25,000
Periodic
Amazon sellers and small businesses
Varies
Comcast RISE
Equipment, marketing, technology
Rolling
Minority-owned small businesses
Rolling
IFundWomen Universal Grant
$1,000-$10,000
Monthly
Women-identifying entrepreneurs
Monthly
Patagonia Environmental Grants
Up to $200,000
Biannual
Environmental activism/businesses
April and August
Grants by Demographics
Women-Owned Business Grants
Grant
Amount
Details
Amber Grant
$10,000-$25,000
Monthly $10K winners; annual $25K grand prize
IFundWomen
$1,000-$10,000
Monthly grants for women entrepreneurs
Cartier Women’s Initiative
$100,000
Global award for women-led impact businesses
Tory Burch Foundation Fellows
$5,000 + education
Annual fellowship for women in business
SBA Women’s Business Centers
Varies
Training, counseling, and micro-grants
EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women
Mentoring + exposure
Networking and growth support program
Minority-Owned Business Grants
Grant
Amount
Details
Comcast RISE
Equipment + marketing
Technology, marketing, and consulting support
NAACP/Verizon Small Business Grant
$10,000
Grants for Black- and minority-owned businesses
National Black MBA Association Scale-Up Pitch Challenge
$50,000
Annual pitch competition
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources (MANRRS)
Varies
Agriculture-focused grants
Hello Alice (various diversity grants)
$5,000-$50,000
Programs for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, veteran founders
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
Set-aside contracts
Government contracting for disadvantaged businesses
Veteran-Owned Business Grants
Grant
Amount
Details
StreetShares Foundation Hero’s Grant
$15,000
Quarterly grants for veteran entrepreneurs
Bob Woodruff Foundation
Varies
Business grants for post-9/11 veterans
Warrior Rising
Mentorship + funding
Business development for veteran startups
SBA Boots to Business
Free training
Entrepreneurship training for transitioning veterans
National Veteran Small Business Coalition
Networking + contracts
Government contracting support
Coalition for Veteran Owned Business (CVOB)
Varies
Grants and pitch competitions
State and Local Grants
How to Find State Grants
Resource
What It Includes
Your state’s SBDC (Small Business Development Center)
Free counseling + local grant referrals
State economic development agency website
State-specific grants and incentive programs
Governor’s office small business portal
Statewide programs and tax incentives
Local Chamber of Commerce
Regional grants and business competitions
City/county economic development office
Local grants, enterprise zones, tax abatements
Common State Grant Types
Grant Type
Typical Amount
Purpose
Main Street revitalization grants
$5,000-$50,000
Storefront improvements in downtowns
Export assistance grants
$2,500-$25,000
Help businesses sell internationally
Workforce development grants
$5,000-$100,000
Hiring and training new employees
Technology/innovation grants
$10,000-$250,000
R&D, software, tech infrastructure
Minority/disadvantaged business grants
$5,000-$50,000
Support underrepresented business owners
Green business/sustainability grants
$5,000-$100,000
Energy efficiency, sustainable practices
Grant Application Tips
What Grant Reviewers Look For
Criteria
What They Want to See
Weight
Alignment with grant purpose
Your business directly addresses the grant’s goals
