Top Small-Business Grants in Ohio
Ohio entrepreneurs may want to consider grants offered through state, local and national programs to secure funding for their businesses.
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Managing Editor Small-business grants may be an enticing option when you’re looking for funding for your Ohio business. However, because the competition is strong and the application process requires time and effort, you’ll want to research grant programs to find the ones that are a good match for your business needs.
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Tell us how much you need and see your options in minutes.Ohio-specific small-business grants
State, regional and city grant programs are available to Ohio businesses. However, before investing time and effort in the application process, it’s important to confirm that the grant program is funded for the current fiscal year.
JobsOhio Grants
JobsOhio is a nonprofit, private economic development corporation located in Columbus, Ohio. It offers:
- The Economic Development Grant, which is designed to support eligible projects that spur economic development across the state by helping companies start, relocate or expand operations.
- The JobsOhio Small Business Grant, which provides up to $50,000 to help eligible Ohio small businesses grow. To be eligible, a business must have $100,000–$25 million in annual revenue, at least one year in operation and be in one of JobsOhio’s target industries. To apply, contact your regional JobsOhio Network Partner.
Cleveland Tech Delta Program
Tech and medical companies moving to or expanding within Cleveland may be interested in the Tech Delta Program managed by the Cleveland Department of Economic Development. Grants are offered based on square footage ($5 per square foot) up to a maximum of $50,000. To be eligible, the for-profit business must create a minimum of five new, full-time jobs as a result of the move or expansion to Cleveland.
Cleveland Municipal Small Business Initiative
The Municipal Small Business Initiative helps small businesses use an SBA loan by reducing the money they must put in from 25% to 10%, with the City and Cuyahoga County covering the remaining 15% through a grant. The grant can be up to 15% of eligible project costs (excluding working capital) and is capped at $50,000. It can be used for buying property, construction or renovations, purchasing equipment, furniture or fixtures. To qualify, the business must have an SBA loan through a participating lender and create at least one full-time job for every $35,000 in City funds.
Third Frontier Technology Validation and Start-up Fund Grant
Ohio Third Frontier’s Technology Validation and Start-up Fund (TVSF) provides grants for Ohio startups. The grants are available up to $200,000 per project. Applicants apply by responding to the current TVSF Request for Proposals (RFP) and submitting through the Ohio Department of Development’s process for that round. This year's grantees will be announced in April 2026.
Sustainable Oxford Grant Program
The Sustainable Oxford Grant Program is funded by the City of Oxford and run in partnership with the Hamilton County ReSource “513 Green” program to help local Oxford businesses complete sustainability upgrades. Eligible applicants include brick-and-mortar, non-residential businesses that have been operating for at least one year. The grant reimburses up to 50% of project costs, up to $1,000, for improvements to equipment, facilities or services that support sustainability (for example: waste diversion, water/energy conservation or transportation/air-quality measures). To apply, businesses submit the City’s grant application and required materials in person, by mail or by email to the City’s Economic Development contact listed on the program page.
Montgomery County Economic Development/Government Equity Grant
For businesses in Dayton and the surrounding area, the county offers the Montgomery County ED/GE Grant. This program awards funds in the spring and fall of each year. Grant funds can be used for new construction, renovations, utility upgrades, parking and other permanent improvement projects. Local jurisdictions apply for the funding on behalf of the business.
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National grant programs available to Ohio small businesses
Numerous small-business grants offered by the federal government and corporations are available to Ohio small businesses. Here are a few to consider:
Grants.gov
Government small-business grants administered by various federal agencies can be found on Grants.gov as well as information on the grant process. Numerous federal agencies offer grants including the U.S Department of Labor, National Endowment for the Arts and the National Science Foundation.
Program for Investors in Microentrepreneurs
Through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Program for Investors in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME) is designed to help low-income entrepreneurs access funding to start or expand their small businesses. PRIME grants are awarded to microenterprise development organizations so that they can provide access to capital, training and technical assistance to disadvantaged microentrepreneurs.
America’s Seed Fund
Designed to benefit small businesses in the technology sector, America's Seed Fund offers grants ranging from $50,000 to $1.8 million. Funding is through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. For-profit businesses operating in the U.S. with fewer than 500 employees are eligible. Awards are distributed through three phases from proof of concept to development to commercialization.
WomensNet Grants
Women small-business owners in Ohio may want to consider the grants offered by WomensNet. Amber Grants, Startup Grants and Business Category Grants are awarded monthly in the amount of $10,000, with separate $50,000 grants for each of the three categories given at the end of the year. Businesses aren’t required to select a category, but will be considered for all three when completing an application.
Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant
The Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant is a national grant program available to mother-owned businesses with two to 100 employees. Micro grants of $1,000 will be awarded to 20 businesses. Applications are now open and are due on April 14, 2026.
Military Entrepreneur Challenge
The Military Entrepreneur Challenge (MEC), run by the Second Service Foundation, is a national grant program for veterans, their spouses and Gold Star Family entrepreneurs. It’s a three-part program that ends with an opportunity to win a small grant for your small business. Grant awards vary by event.
Free resources for Ohio small businesses
There are free resources available to Ohio small businesses that can help you prepare for a grant application and other types of funding.
Ohio Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
Whether starting a small business or expanding an existing company, your local Small Business Development Center can be a source of free or low-cost business counseling, workshops and assistance with services such as financial projections, cash flow analysis, funding sourcing and marketing research. Centers are located throughout the state of Ohio.
SCORE
SCORE is a nonprofit organization with a national network of volunteer business mentors. Mentors offer advice on business planning, financing and other topics at no cost. In addition, SCORE provides training, webinars, courses and online resources. SCORE offices can be found in Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo and other areas in the state.
Minority Business Assistance Centers
Free assistance is available to small, minority-owned, and disadvantaged businesses through Minority Business Assistance Centers located throughout Ohio. This includes services such as accounting assistance, marketing plan development, referrals to financial assistance programs and more.
Tips when applying for small-business grants
- Confirm the grant is available: Some grants are funded for a limited time. Before you invest time in preparing an application, contact the organization by phone or email to confirm the grant is still offered if information about application dates isn’t clearly provided on the grant website.
- Be aware of key dates: The application windows for grant programs vary, so it’s important to allow enough time to submit a complete application before the deadline. Also, if the award date falls beyond the time you need funding, the grant program may not be the best option for your business.
- Review eligibility requirements: Grant programs have eligibility requirements based on the goal of the program. If possible, try to find a program that is a good fit for your business. This will allow you to highlight applicable aspects of your business that align with the grant program goals.
- Consider funding alternatives: Grants may not be the best funding option for your small business, especially if you need money quickly. A small-business loan may be a good alternative with options such as bank loans and SBA loans as well as a variety of financing offered by online lenders. Bank and SBA loans typically offer the best rates and terms, but online lenders tend to be more flexible in their requirements and can often provide funds quickly.
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