This financial hurdle prevents many promising ventures from taking off or sustaining operations long-term. Unlike loans, grants don’t need to be repaid—making them one of the best funding options for new businesses looking to cover startup costs, expansion, or innovation.

Whether you’re launching a tech startup, expanding a local service business, or investing in sustainable practices, small business grants can provide non-dilutive capital to get you started. But with so many grant programs available—federal, state, corporate, and industry-specific—it’s crucial to find the right opportunities and understand how to apply successfully.

This guide covers a list of 26 small business grants you can apply for in 2025, regardless of your business, industry, or background. Let’s dive right in!

Types of small business grants

Not all grants are the same—some are funded by government agencies, while others are provided by corporations, nonprofits, and private institutions. Here are the main types of grants available for small businesses in 2025:

1. Federal small business grants

The U.S. government offers grants through various agencies, especially for businesses involved in research, technology, and public service sectors. These grants typically come with strict eligibility requirements and a competitive application process.

Who qualifies?

• startups and small businesses focused on innovation, research, or technology
• businesses offering public services or social impact initiatives
• women-owned, veteran-owned, and minority-owned businesses

2. State & local small business grants

Most state governments have grant programs to encourage entrepreneurship, boost economic growth, and support underrepresented businesses. These grants are easier to obtain than federal grants and often focus on specific industries or community-based businesses.

Who qualifies?

• small businesses operating in a specific state or city
• minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses
• startups focusing on local economic development

3. Corporate & private business grants

Many large corporations and nonprofits offer grant programs to support small businesses, entrepreneurs, and social impact projects. These grants often have less stringent requirements than government grants and can be industry-specific.

Who qualifies?

• startups and small businesses in retail, tech, and e-commerce
• women-owned and minority-owned businesses
• businesses with scalable, innovative solutions

4. Grants for women, minorities, and veterans

Some grant programs are specifically designed to bridge funding gaps for women, minority, and veteran entrepreneurs. These grants support businesses that face historical challenges in securing capital.

Who qualifies?

• women, Black, Latino, Asian, and Indigenous business owners
• U.S. military veterans starting a business
• LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs

Small Business Grants for 2025

Let’s go through our list of small business grant programs you should be capitalizing on this year, helping you get the funding you need.

General Small Business Grants

1. The Freed Fellowship Grant

• Award Amounts: $500 monthly grants; eligible for a $2,500 end-of-year grant
• Focus: Supports small business owners with financial assistance and expert feedback
• Requirements: Must be a U.S.-based small business owner
• Application Process: Apply online by the last day of each month to be considered for that cycle
• Deadline: Monthly rolling deadlines; end-of-year grant eligibility requires prior monthly grant receipt

Apply Here: https://www.freedfellowship.com/

2. Skip Grants

• Award Amounts: $1,000 to $10,000 per grant
• Focus: Provides various grants throughout the year for entrepreneurs and small business owners
• Requirements: Varies by program; applicants must create a free Skip account to apply
• Application Process: Apply online via Skip’s website
• Deadline: Rolling basis

Apply Here: https://helloskip.com/

3. NASE Growth Grant

• Award Amounts: Up to $4,000 quarterly grants for small businesses
• Focus: Provides funding for business growth and development needs like marketing or equipment purchases
• Requirements: Must be a member of the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
• Application Process: Apply online through the NASE website; applications reviewed quarterly
• Deadline: Rolling basis; quarterly reviews in January, April, July, and October

Apply Here: https://www.nase.org/become-a-member/grants-and-scholarships 

4. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant

• Award Amounts: $10,000 per grant
• Focus: Provides funding and business education for small business owners
• Requirements: Must register for a free Verizon Digital Ready account and complete at least two courses
• Application Process: Apply online via Verizon Digital Ready program
• Deadline: Rolling basis

Apply Here: https://www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/digital-ready 

5. Secretsos™ Small Business Grant

• Award Amounts: $2,500 per grant
• Focus: Provides funding to help businesses overcome challenges and fuel growth
• Requirements: Must be a U.S. resident over 21 with a legally registered business that is woman-, veteran-, or minority-owned, or located in an economic development zone
• Application Process: Apply online via Secretsos™ website
• Deadline: Quarterly rolling deadlines

Apply Here: https://secretsos.com/grants/ 

6. Patagonia Corporate Grants Program

• Award Amounts: $5,000 to $20,000 per grant
• Focus: Supports environmental organizations that protect local habitats and frontline communities
• Requirements: Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor
• Application Process: Invitation-only; nominations accepted via Patagonia’s website
• Deadline: Rolling basis

Apply Here: https://www.patagonia.com/environmental-grants.html 

7. FedEx Small Business Grant Contest

• Award Amounts: $20,000 to $50,000 per grant
• Focus: Supports innovative small businesses with financial assistance
• Requirements: Must be a for-profit U.S.-based business actively using a FedEx business account
• Application Process: Apply online via FedEx website; finalists determined through public voting
• Deadline: Typically opens annually in February or March

Apply Here: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/grant-contest.html 

8. Start.Pivot.Grow. Micro Grant

• Award Amounts: $2,500 per grant
• Focus: Provides funding for small businesses to cover essential expenses and invest in growth
• Requirements: Business must be in operation for at least two years, have 1–2 employees, and earn $50,000+ annually
• Application Process: Apply online via Start.Pivot.Grow. website
• Deadline: Quarterly rolling deadlines

Apply Here: https://startpivotgrow.com/grant 

9. Spark Good Local Grants (Walmart)

• Award Amounts: $250 to $5,000 per grant
• Focus: Supports nonprofits, government entities, and educational institutions serving local communities
• Requirements: Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity, government entity, or educational institution operating within a Walmart service area
• Application Process: Apply via Walmart’s Spark Good platform
• Deadline: Rolling basis

Apply Here: https://www.walmart.com/sparkgood 

10. Lenovo Evolve Small Initiative Grants

• Award Amounts: $25,000 cash grant, $10,000 AI technology package, and mentorship
• Focus: Supports small businesses with funding, technology, and mentorship
• Requirements: Business must be located in North America (excluding Quebec) with fewer than 75 employees and annual revenue under $7.5 million
• Application Process: Apply online via Lenovo’s Evolve Small Initiative website
• Deadline: Rolling basis

Apply Here: https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/evolve-small/ 

Government Small Business Grants

11. Grants.gov

• Award Amounts: Varies
• Focus: Provides access to thousands of federal, state, and local government grants
• Requirements: Eligibility varies by grant program
• Application Process: Search and apply through the Grants.gov database
• Deadline: Rolling basis

Apply Here: https://www.grants.gov/

12. State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)

• Award Amounts: Varies by state
• Focus: Helps small businesses expand into international markets
• Requirements: Small businesses must meet their state’s STEP criteria
• Application Process: Apply through your state or territory’s designated STEP program
• Deadline: Varies by state

Apply Here: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/grants/state-trade-expansion-program-step

13. Rural Business Development Grants (USDA)

• Award Amounts: Varies
• Focus: Supports rural business development and job creation
• Requirements: Must be located in a rural area with a population under 50,000
• Application Process: Apply through the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Deadline: Typically February–March annually

Apply Here: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/rural-business-development-grants

14. Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program

• Award Amounts: Varies
• Focus: Supports technology-based small businesses partnering with research institutions
• Requirements: Must be a small business working with a research institution
• Application Process: Apply through participating federal agencies
• Deadline: Varies by agency

Apply Here: https://www.sbir.gov/about/about-sttr

15. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

• Award Amounts: $50,000–$275,000 for Phase I; up to $1.8 million for Phase II
• Focus: Funds research and development projects with commercial potential
• Requirements: Must be a for-profit U.S.-based business with fewer than 500 employees
• Application Process: Apply through participating federal agencies
• Deadline: Varies by agency

Apply Here: https://www.sbir.gov/

16. Broadband USA Funding Programs (NTIA)

• Award Amounts: Varies
• Focus: Supports broadband infrastructure in underserved communities
• Requirements: Businesses involved in broadband expansion
• Application Process: Apply through Broadband USA’s funding guide
• Deadline: Rolling basis

Apply Here: https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/

17. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grants

• Award Amounts: Varies
• Focus: Funds medical and health research projects
• Requirements: Small businesses engaged in medical R&D
• Application Process: Apply via NIH’s grants portal
• Deadline: Rolling basis

Apply Here: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm

18. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants

• Award Amounts: Varies
• Focus: Supports businesses working on environmental health and sustainability
• Requirements: Must align with EPA grant criteria
• Application Process: Apply through the EPA grants portal
• Deadline: Varies by program

Apply Here: https://www.epa.gov/grants

19. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grants

• Award Amounts: Varies
• Focus: Supports businesses that contribute to local economic development
• Requirements: Business must align with EDA investment priorities
• Application Process: Apply through the EDA’s regional offices
• Deadline: Rolling basis

Apply Here: https://eda.gov/funding-opportunities/

Small Business Grants for Startups

20. 500 Global Flagship Accelerator

• Award Amounts: $150,000 investment for a 6% equity stake
• Focus: Provides seed funding, mentorship, and access to investors
• Requirements: Early-stage startups in high-growth industries
• Application Process: Apply online via 500 Global
• Deadline: Rolling basis

Apply Here: https://500.co/accelerator

21. Visa Everywhere Initiative

• Award Amounts: $10,000–$100,000
• Focus: Funds startups with innovative payment or commerce solutions
• Requirements: Tech startups that integrate Visa’s network
• Application Process: Apply online via Visa’s website
• Deadline: Annually

Apply Here: https://usa.visa.com/about-visa/visa-everywhere-initiative.html

22. Build to Scale (B2S) Program

• Award Amounts: $100,000–$5 million per project
• Focus: Supports startups developing new technologies
• Requirements: Nonprofits, higher education institutions, and research parks
• Application Process: Apply through the EDA
• Deadline: Rolling basis

Apply Here: https://www.eda.gov/funding-opportunities/build-to-scale

23. Challenge.gov

• Award Amounts: Varies (often $100,000+)
• Focus: Provides funding for innovative solutions to government challenges
• Requirements: Eligibility varies by challenge
• Application Process: Apply via the Challenge.gov platform
• Deadline: Varies by competition

Apply Here: https://www.challenge.gov/

Emergency Small Business Grants

24. Etsy Emergency Relief Fund

• Award Amounts: Up to $2,000
• Focus: Supports Etsy sellers affected by federally declared disasters
• Requirements: Active Etsy seller for at least one year with an account in good standing
• Application Process: Apply via Etsy Advocacy
• Deadline: Rolling basis

Apply Here: https://advocacy.etsy.com/

25. Small Business Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) Program

• Award Amounts: $5,000
• Focus: Provides emergency funding for disaster-affected businesses
• Requirements: Small businesses with 500 or fewer employees
• Application Process: Apply via U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
• Deadline: Rolling basis

Apply Here: https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/small-business-readiness-resiliency-program

26. Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund

• Award Amounts: $10,000
• Focus: Supports restaurants impacted by disasters
• Requirements: Must be a brick-and-mortar restaurant with fewer than 50 employees per location
• Application Process: Apply via Hello Alice
• Deadline: Quarterly

Apply Here: https://helloalice.com/

The bottom line

Applying for small business grants is more than finding the right funding opportunity for your small business—the first step is about proving that your business is financially stable and capable of using the funds effectively. Grant providers look for businesses that demonstrate strong financial management, stability, and growth potential before awarding capital.

This is where accurate bookkeeping and clean financial records become essential. Many grant applications require detailed financial statements, tax returns, and projected budgets. If your books are disorganized, missing records, or outdated, it can raise red flags for reviewers and reduce your chances of securing funding. If your finances are in disarray since months or even years, catch-up bookkeeping can help you get back on track before applying for grants.

And once you secure your grant funding, managing that capital wisely is just as important as getting it. Without a clear expense management system, it’s easy to overspend, misallocate funds, or struggle with reporting obligations—all of which could jeopardize future grant opportunities. Our expense management services help small business owners like you track spending, optimize cash flow, and ensure compliance with grant conditions so they can focus on growth rather than financial headaches.

At CoCountant, we provide comprehensive accounting and bookkeeping services, which include clear financial reports and cash flow tracking—all of which strengthen your grant applications and set you up for financial success before and after you receive funding.

Need help getting your books in order to improve your eligibility for a small business grant?