Only 32% of Black-owned businesses were fully approved for financing in the last 12 months, compared to 57% of white-owned businesses — according to the Federal Reserve Banks' 2026 Small Business Credit Survey. For Black women looking to grow or launch a business, that financing gap is one reason to consider small-business grants: Grants provide free money that doesn’t need to be repaid.
Business grants tend to have short application windows and can be highly competitive, but don’t let that discourage you completely. The process will be well worth the time and effort if you can secure this free funding option.
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Business grants for Black women
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up a variety of business grants open to Black women. Some are open to other entrepreneurs, too. If a program is currently closed to applications, you can take note of the requirements and sign up to be notified when it reopens.
1. HerRise Microgrant
- Amount: $1,000.
- Deadline: Applications due the last day of each month.
- Eligibility: U.S.-based, for-profit businesses that generate less than $1 million annually and are at least 51% owned by women.
- Apply: Via the HerRise Microgrant website; $15 application fee.
The HerRise Microgrant program awards $1,000 per month to a women-owned business, including those owned by women of color. The grant is offered by HerSuiteSpot, an organization that provides business coaching and training to female entrepreneurs.
2. Wish Local Empowerment Program Grant
- Amount: $500 to $2,000.
- Deadline: Rolling applications.
- Eligibility: Black business owners who are at least 18 years old, have 20 or fewer employees, earn less than $1 million in annual revenue and operate a brick-and-mortar location in the U.S.
The Wish Local Empowerment Program offers financial support to Black-owned small businesses. Funds can be used for a variety of purposes. If you’re chosen for the program, you must join Wish Local, a mobile shopping app.
3. The Freed Fellowship
- Amount: $500; recipients also considered for an additional $2,500 year-end grant.
- Deadline: Rolling applications; grants awarded monthly.
- Eligibility: U.S. small-business owners; women, minorities and other underrepresented entrepreneurs are especially encouraged to apply.
- Apply: Via the Freed Fellowship website; $19 application fee.
Each month, the Freed Fellowship awards a $500 microgrant and a free 60-minute coaching session from business experts. Winners also receive an invitation to speak on the Freed Stories podcast and one year of membership to the Freed Studio, a virtual small-business community.
4. YippityDoo Big Idea Grant
- Amount: $1,000.
- Deadline: Rolling applications; grants awarded on a monthly basis.
- Eligibility: U.S.-based businesses owned by women; women with an idea to start a business.
- Apply: Via the YippityDoo website; $15 application fee.
YippityDoo, a support organization for women business owners, awards a $1,000 grant on a monthly basis. To qualify for this grant, you need to be a woman-owned, for-profit business located in the U.S. In addition to the grant money, this program also provides a one-year membership to the company’s wealth mindset coaching group.
5. Breva Thrive Grant
- Amount: $5,000.
- Deadline: Third quarter applications close on July 31, 2026.
- Eligibility: Open to all U.S.-based small businesses who can demonstrate an impact on their community.
- Apply: Via the Breva website.
The Breva Thrive Grant offers $5,000 to small-business owners on a quarterly basis. To qualify for this grant, your business must demonstrate its impact on its community, such as creating new jobs, innovating new products or making products and services more accessible. You should have at least one year in business and be producing revenue. The company also prefers businesses that directly impact underrepresented communities.
6. Hustler’s Microgrant
- Amount: $1,000.
- Deadline: Rolling applications; grants awarded monthly.
- Eligibility: U.S. small businesses.
- Apply: Via the HerSuiteSpot website; $15 application fee.
HerSuiteSpot, a digital resource for training and coaching women-owned small businesses, provides a $1,000 microgrant each month. Applications are open to all U.S.-based small-business owners, including Black women. Recipients are chosen based on their vision, impact and how the funding will move your business forward.
7. The Amber Grant
- Amount: $10,000 monthly Amber Grant, Startup Grant and Business Category Grant. $50,000 annual year-end grants (three issued).
- Deadline: Applications accepted year-round; awards issued monthly and annually.
- Eligibility: U.S. or Canadian businesses that are at least 50% women-owned.
- Apply: Via the Amber Grant website; $15 application fee.
The Amber Grant Foundation awards three monthly grants of $10,000 to female entrepreneurs. If you’re awarded one of the $10,000 monthly grants, you will also be in the running to win one of Amber Grant Foundation’s yearly $50,000 grants.
To apply, you’ll fill out a short form on the Amber Grant website, where you’ll tell the organization about your business idea and how you would spend your grant funds.
💡 Nerdy insight
If you need more than grant funding can offer, SBA microloans are available in amounts of up to $50,000. These loans are issued by nonprofit and community lenders and are designed for traditionally underserved businesses.
Many microlenders offer training and other resources, which can be valuable to business owners. They may also be easier to qualify for than other types of financing if you’re a new or very small business.
U.S. Small Business AdministrationSBA microloan
Min Credit
6208. NASE Growth Grants
- Amount: Up to $4,000.
- Deadline: Rolling applications; reviewed on a quarterly basis (April, July, October and January).
- Eligibility: Member of NASE; all business owners, including women and minority groups.
- Apply: Apply through the NASE website.
The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and microbusinesses. To apply for an NASE Growth Grant, you’ll need to get a monthly NASE membership and remain in good standing with the organization for at least three months. If you join on an annual basis, however, you’ll be able to apply immediately.
9. Illuminations Grant
- Amount: $10,000.
- Deadline: July 20, 2026.
- Eligibility: Black transgender women in the visual arts field.
- Apply: Via the Queer-Art website
The Illuminations Grant is an annual program that awards $10,000 to Black transgender women in the visual arts field. To qualify, you must be working in visual arts and located in the U.S. You must submit examples of your visual art as part of your application.
10. Makers Mindset Grant
- Amount: $10,000.
- Deadline: July 20, 2026.
- Eligibility: U.S.-based consumer packaged goods (CPG) businesses that are at least 51% owned by women; must be in operation for at least one year with revenue between $50,001 and $1 million.
- Apply: Via the Makers Mindset website.
The Makers Mindset Grant supports women-owned businesses in the beauty, food, beverage, pet, tech goods and home goods industries. The program awards three brands with a $10,000 grant. Winners also receive access to the Makers Mindset founder community, office hours with Nancy Twine, a hair care entrepreneur, and are spotlighted across Makers Mindset social platforms.
11. Galaxy Grant
- Amount: $4,250.
- Deadline: July 31, 2026.
- Eligibility: Women and minority business owners.
- Apply: Via the Galaxy Grants website.
Galaxy of Stars is a grant program run by Hidden Star, a nonprofit that helps women and minority entrepreneurs. Grants are open to women and people of color who run or are planning to start a business and who are U.S. residents.
12. AT&T Small Business Contest
- Amount: $50,000 for grand prize; $5,000 for four runners-up.
- Deadline: July 31, 2026.
- Eligibility: U.S.- or Puerto Rico-based small businesses with one to five locations and up to 99 full or part-time employees.
- Apply: Via the She’s Connected website.
This small-business grant contest offers one grand-prize winner $50,000, as well as one year of free AT&T service alongside a new device. Four runners-up receive $5,000. To qualify, you must be based in the U.S. or Puerto Rico, have one to five locations and up to 99 employees.
13. The Hustle Grant
- Amount: $1,000.
- Deadline: July 31, 2026.
- Eligibility: Business must be 50% women-owned and U.S.-based.
- Apply: Via the Hustle Grant website; $15 application fee.
The Hustle Grant awards a $1,000 microgrant to female founders on a monthly basis. Winners also receive one year of free marketing and brand exposure, as well as one year of exclusive access to expert-led workshops.
14. Melissa Washington Small Business Award
- Amount: Up to $5,000.
- Deadline: July 31, 2026.
- Eligibility: Women veteran entrepreneurs.
The Melissa Washington Small Business Award offers up to $5,000 to help women veterans to start or expand their businesses. In addition to grant funding, the winner will receive a business assessment, coaching and certificate of recognition. Applications are evaluated based on your innovation, resilience and commitment to making a positive impact through your venture.
15. Hey Helen Grant
- Amount: $10,000.
- Deadline: Aug. 30, 2026.
- Eligibility: U.S.-based businesses that are 100% women-owned and generate less than $1 million in annual revenue.
- Apply: Via the Visionaries website; $15 application fee.
Presented by Visionaries, the Hey Helen Grant Program provides $10,000 to women founders. To qualify, you must be 100% women-owned. Nonbinary applicants assigned female at birth or who feel aligned with the intent of the grant are also welcome to apply. After the August 2026 application period, this grant will be awarded on a monthly basis.
16. Shophand Small Business Boost Grant
- Amount: $5,000 total ($2,500 cash + $2,500 in Shophand technical support/services)
- Deadline: Aug. 1, 2026 (current cycle; awarded three times per year).
- Eligibility: U.S.-based, for-profit small businesses with fewer than 50 employees and under $5 million in annual revenue.
- Apply: Via the Shophand platform.
The Shophand Small Business Boost Grant is designed to help small-business owners overcome a tech or operational challenge. In addition to funding, winners receive Shophand technical support and services, including a personal Shophand expert. To qualify, you must have a currently operating business and follow Shophand on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.
17. Women Founders Grant
- Amount: $5,000.
- Deadline: Aug. 31, 2026.
- Eligibility: Women based in the U.S. that have a business idea or existing business that is at least 51% women-owned and operated.
- Apply: Via Women Founders grant website; $25 application fee.
The Women Founders Grant provides $5,000 to women-owned businesses. To apply, you’ll need to explain your business or business idea and how you’ll use the grant money. You can receive a $5 discount on your application fee for every entrepreneur you refer to the program.
18. Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition
- Amount: $15,000 for first place; $10,000 for second place.
- Deadline: Applications open August 2026.
- Eligibility: U.S.-based businesses that are at least 51% women-owned; must have at least $10,000 in lifetime sales and less than $750,000 in annual revenue.
The Enthuse Foundation's annual pitch competition awards $15,000 to one grand-prize winner, while the runner-up will get a $10,000 grant. Winners also receive coaching, strategic planning and In-kind business services from Enthuse. Participants pitch their business at an in-person event in New York City.
19. StartUP Grant
- Amount: $5,000.
- Deadline: Applications open Sept. 1, 2026.
- Eligibility: Texas-based businesses with five or less employees; must have five years or less in business.
This grant is offered by the Texas Woman's University's Center for Women Entrepreneurs and is designed to support new businesses. Grants can be used for a variety of purposes. To qualify, your business must be formed as a legal entity. Funds will have to be matched with a minimum of 10% ($500) owner investment.
20. Giving Joy Grant
- Amount: $500.
- Deadline: Applications open Sept. 1 and run through Sept. 30, 2026.
- Eligibility: Any woman entrepreneur located anywhere in the world.
- Apply: Via the Giving Joy website.
Giving Joy offers a $500 microgrant which can be used to start or expand your business. Applications should show you plan to positively impact women, families or communities. The grant cycle operates twice per year, once in the spring and once in the fall.
21. The Transform Business Grant
- Amount: $1,000.
- Deadline: Applications open Sept. 8 and run through Sept. 18, 2026.
- Eligibility: Business owners from systemically oppressed backgrounds, including minority entrepreneurs, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities and formerly incarcerated individuals.
- Apply: Via the Transform Business Grant website.
The Transform Business Grant is open to business owners from systemically oppressed backgrounds. Each grantee receives a $1,000 microgrant. Winners also receive a customized, year-long business strategy and development program.
22. Her Agenda Breakthrough Grant
- Amount: $5,000.
- Deadline: Sept. 18, 2026.
- Eligibility: Women-owned businesses in the U.S. with at least one year in operation. Must also be subscribed to the Her Agenda newsletter.
- Apply: Via Her Agenda website; $25 application fee.
The Her Agenda Breakthrough Grant is designed to help women entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level. Businesses must be legally registered and subscribed to the Her Agenda newsletter to qualify. Her Agenda Insider members are eligible for a 50% discount on their application fee.
23. Secretsos Small Business Grant
- Amount: $2,500.
- Deadline: Sept. 30, 2026 for third quarter applications.
- Eligibility: U.S.-based entrepreneurs who are at least 21 years old and have a legally registered business. Must be a traditionally underserved business (i.e. denied a bank loan, woman-owned, veteran-owned, minority-owned or located in a low-income area).
- Apply: Via the Secretsos website; $15 application fee.
The Secretsos Grant Program provides funding to entrepreneurs who are often overlooked by traditional investment sources. Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis. Applications open on the first day of the quarter and close on the last day.
24. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant
- Amount: $10,000.
- Deadline: December 2026.
- Eligibility: Must complete certain educational courses; additional requirements may apply.
To be eligible for the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready grant, entrepreneurs must register through the Verizon website and complete at least two of the following: courses, live coaching or community events. Once these tasks are completed, you can submit a grant application.
Verizon will review applications monthly through December 2026. Each month, 10 small-business owners will receive grants. If you’re not chosen in a given month, your application will remain in consideration through the end of the year.
25. Black Women Photographers x Nikon Grant Program
- Amount: $2,500 and a Nikon camera.
- Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
- Eligibility: Black and African women photographers.
- Apply: Via the Black Women Photographers website, when applications are open.
This grant program provides funding and equipment to Black and African women creatives who are pushing the boundaries of storytelling. Although applications are currently closed, the fund will award a total of four grants this year.
26. Amazon Small Business Grants
- Amount: 15 grants awarded, ranging in amounts from $15,000 to $25,000.
- Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
- Eligibility: U.S.-based business with an Amazon Business account and $1 million or less in revenue.
- Apply: Via the Amazon Business website.
This annual grant program from Amazon awards a $25,000 grant to one small-business owner and $20,000 grants to four finalists. Additionally 10 semi-finalists receive $15,000 grants. Winners also receive a one-year membership to Business Prime, Business Prime rewards points and free products from Eero Wifi and Kindle Scribe.
27. Fund Her Future Grant
- Amount: $50,000 grand prize; $10,000 for five finalists.
- Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
- Eligibility: U.S.-based, women-owned businesses that have generated a minimum of $20,000 in revenue in the last year.
- Apply: Via HelloAlice.
Fund Her Future, a grant program from Block Advisors by H&R Block, supports women business owners in the U.S. One business receives a grand prize of $50,000 and five businesses receive runner-up prizes of $10,000. All winners also receive access to free small-business services, including bookkeeping, payroll and tax support.
28. Santander’s Cultivate Small Business
- Amount: Up to $20,000.
- Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
- Eligibility: Food businesses located in a low-to-moderate income area; must have operated for at least one year, generated $25,000 to $1 million in revenue in the previous calendar year and have one to 10 full-time employees.
- Apply: Via Santander website.
Santander’s Cultivate Small Business program awards funding to early-stage entrepreneurs in the food industry, focusing on women-, immigrant- and BIPOC-owned businesses in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. Through the program, business owners participate in a 12-week virtual education curriculum and receive up to $20,000 in capital grants.
29. Jobber Grants
- Amount: $10,000 to $100,000.
- Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
- Eligibility: Home-service businesses in the U.S. or Canada.
- Apply: Via the Jobber website.
The Jobber Grant Program provides funding to home service-related businesses. In the most recent grant cycle, Jobber awarded nine grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. Applications for 2026 are now closed. Sign up on Jobber’s website for information on the next grant cycle.
30. Texas Rural Grant
- Amount: $10,000.
- Deadline: Applications for 2026 are closed.
- Eligibility: Rural companies in Texas; must have at least three years in business.
The Texas Rural Grant is run by the Texas Woman's University's Center for Women Entrepreneurs. To be eligible, your business must be at least 51% by U.S. citizens and located in a rural area in Texas. This year, 10 businesses received grants of $10,000 each.
31. MUSE Accelerator
- Amount: $50,000.
- Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
- Eligibility: Minority-owned beauty brands.
- Apply: Via the Ulta Beauty MUSE Accelerator website.
The MUSE Accelerator program supports beauty brands owned by early-stage founders, particularly those from underrepresented communities. Through this program, business owners receive educational training, mentorship and $50,000 in grant funding.
32. EBay Up & Running Grant
- Amount: $10,000.
- Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
- Eligibility: U.S.-based businesses who are actively selling on eBay and in good standing.
- Apply: Via eBay’s website.
Black female entrepreneurs who sell on eBay may be eligible for this grant program. This year, 10 businesses received $10,000 grants. Winners also received an expert eBay Live mentorship and a full kit of pro-level live selling equipment.
33. The Coramino Fund
- Amount: $10,000.
- Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
- Eligibility: Entrepreneurs in under-resourced communities; must have five or fewer years in business and no more than three locations with less than 30 employees.
- Apply: Via the LISC website.
The Coramino Fund is an annual grant program open to small-business owners in under-resourced communities. In the most recent round of funding, businesses had to be located in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston or Los Angeles to qualify.
34. Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant
- Amount: $1,000.
- Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
- Eligibility: Mom-owned businesses who have been in operation for at least one year; must have between two and 100 employees and revenue of $5 million or less.
- Apply: Via the Founders First website.
The Kitty Fund is open to business owners who are mothers. The program awards 20 businesses with microgrants of $1,000. Winners also receive access to one of two business programs administered by Founders First.
35. Famous Amos Ingredients for Success Entrepreneurs Initiative
- Amount: $50,000.
- Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
- Eligibility: U.S.-based businesses with less than five years in operation that are at least 90% Black-owned.
A partnership between Famous Amos and the U.S. Black Chambers, this annual grant program awards three Black-owned businesses a total of $150,000 in funding. Winners also receive mentorship, networking and educational resources.
36. Kirabo Grant
- Amount: $5,000.
- Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
- Eligibility: Historically underrepresented business owners; must have generated less than $750,000 in gross profit over the company’s lifetime.
- Apply: Via the Kirabo website, when applications are open.
Kirabo, a financial wellness platform, offers an annual grant to small-business owners in historically under-resourced communities, such as Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, rural, and immigrant communities. In addition to grant funding, the winner receives a complimentary Kirabo membership and a business coaching session.
37. The Fifteen Percent Pledge Achievement Award
- Amount: $200,000 for first place; $35,000 for second place; $15,000 for third place.
- Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
- Eligibility: Black-owned e-commerce businesses earning at least $100,000 annually and members of the Fifteen Percent Pledge Business Equity Community (free to join).
This program, in which Fifteen Percent Pledge partners with Shop with Google, offers grant funding to three Black-owned businesses. The winner receives $200,000 (plus mentorship and pro-bono consulting services) the runner-up receives $35,000 and the third place finalist receives $15,000.
38. Sephora Beauty Grant
- Amount: $100,000.
- Deadline: Applications are currently closed.
- Eligibility: Underrepresented founders who sell CPG products and make at least $100,000 annually. Must have at least one year in business and sell a product in the beauty industry.
The Sephora Beauty Grant is another funding program offered by Fifteen Percent Pledge — in partnership with Sephora. This program awards one underrepresented entrepreneur in the beauty industry with a grant of $100,000 and consulting support.
To qualify, you must have at least one founding member who has an underrepresented background, which includes both Black and women business owners. The product you sell must fall into one of the following categories: beauty, haircare, makeup, makeup tools, skincare, fragrance, bath and body.
39. Veteran Grant
- Amount: $5,000.
- Deadline: Applications for 2026 are closed.
- Eligibility: Existing veteran-owned, Texas-based businesses.
Open to Texas small-business owners who are also veterans, the Veteran Grant awards five $5,000 grants annually. A business must be at least 51% veteran-owned to be eligible. Funds can be used for a variety of purposes
40. NAACP business grants
- Amount: Varies.
- Deadline: Grant programs are currently closed.
- Eligibility: Varies.
- Apply: Via the NAACP website.
The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is a grassroots civil rights and social justice organization. The organization partners with a variety of brands and companies to provide grants to Black-owned businesses. Currently, no grant programs are accepting applications. In the past, however, the NAACP has offered:
- Inclusive Beauty Fund Grant.
- Powershift Entrepreneurs Grant.
- NAACP and Leslie's Certification Boost Grant.
- Keep It Local Business Fund.
- Power Forward Small Business Grant.
- NAACP x Bacardi: Backing the B.A.R.
You can visit the NAACP website for updates on new grant opportunities.
Looking for state-specific grant opportunities? Check out our guides for:
Free resources for Black women entrepreneurs
Black women entrepreneurs can use a variety of resources to help start or grow their businesses. Here are some organizations that help you win government contracts, pitch investors or find other financing opportunities.
IFundWomen
IFundWomen (IFW) helps female and female-identifying founders of any race or ethnicity find capital through crowdfunding and assists with coaching, networking and grant opportunities. The organization's grants hub aggregates grant opportunities for women with up-to-date application deadlines.
Minority Business Development Agency
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is a federal agency that supports the establishment and growth of minority-owned businesses in the U.S. Much like the U.S. Small Business Administration, or SBA, the MBDA has locations across the country where minority entrepreneurs can seek financial assistance and business consulting.
Grants.gov
Grants.gov is a portal where federal agencies offering grant programs — specifically for minority-owned businesses and otherwise — post information about their offerings, including eligibility requirements, funding amounts and application deadlines. You can look for a grant according to several search criteria, including your industry and the sponsoring federal agency.
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program is an assistance program that aids “economically and socially disadvantaged business owners” in securing government contracts.
Each year, the federal government aims to dedicate 5% of its annual contracting budget to small businesses that are owned and operated by underrepresented entrepreneurs via the SBA 8(a) federal contracting program. The Business Development Program provides entrepreneurs the support they need to win those contracts, including receiving one-on-one advising.
Female Founders Fund
If you’re a tech entrepreneur seeking early-stage funding opportunities, consider pitching the Female Founders Fund. The FFF invests in business-to-business, consumer, fintech and health care businesses that have at least one female founding member, and it primarily focuses on investing in seed-stage businesses. The fund averages six to eight investments per year, with investments ranging from $500,000 to $750,000.
BGV Emerging Leaders Fellowship
The Black Girl Ventures Emerging Leaders Fellowship program is open to underrepresented women small-business owners who live in Austin, Texas, New York or Los Angeles. Program participants receive $5,000 stipends and participate in a 12-week virtual development program.
Sephora Accelerate
This annual incubator program is for beauty industry founders who are people of color. Selected participants will gain skills to help them build and run a successful beauty business. Applications for 2026 are now closed, but you can sign up on the website to receive updates and future application information.
Women’s Business Centers
Nationwide, there are more than 100 SBA Women’s Business Centers. Though most don’t make grants, they can help women business owners with coaching, classes and finding capital.
Alternatives to small-business grants for Black women
Business grants aren’t the right fit for every company. With their short application windows, relatively small funding amounts and competitive judging processes, grants can be limiting.
Consider these other funding options for your business, too:
- Business lines of credit: A line of credit may be a good choice if you need six figures in financing or more. These loans operate similar to credit cards: You borrow what you need to spend, pay your debt down over time, then borrow again up to your limit. Lines of credit may require you to have anywhere from three months to a year or more to qualify.
- Crowdfunding: Some businesses are able to raise money from customers and supporters — whether they know them or not. There are a variety of crowdfunding campaigns, from donation-based support to investments that you promise to pay back as your business grows, so you can choose one that’s right for you.
- Peer-to-peer business loans: Funding for P2P loans can come from crowdfunding platforms like Kiva as well as well-established institutional investors. In general, though, they can be easier to qualify for than bank loans for new or small businesses.
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- 1.Federal Reserve Banks. 2026 Firms in Focus: Chartbook on Firms by Race and Ethnicity of Ownership.
