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.
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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:
- Small businesses must have 10 or fewer employees and $50,000 or less in annual sales
- 20 small businesses awarded each year
- Visit Venmo’s small business grant site to apply
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:
- Over $200 million awarded since 2011
- Grants are awarded through state and local affiliate offices
- Visit the SBA’s website on the STEP program for more 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:
- Must be a women-owned business in the Greater Boston area
- Award amounts vary based on need
- Apply via the Boston Women’s Fund site
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