Top Small-Business Grants in California
A comprehensive roundup of state and local grants available to California small businesses, as well as national grant award programs.
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Managing Editor Grant awards can provide an infusion of cash for your small business. Often, these grants are offered by state and local government agencies, national companies and local nonprofits, among others. Because there’s stiff competition for this free money, you’ll want to research grant programs thoroughly before applying and have a back-up plan in case you aren’t chosen for an award.
Here are some small-business grants available to California businesses and some tips on how to manage the grant application process.
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Tell us how much you need and see your options in minutes.California-specific small-business grants
There are a number of state, local and regional grant programs available to businesses located in California that could be a good match for your business needs.
California Grants Portal
The California Grants Portal, managed by the California State Library, allows you to find grants (and loans) offered by California state agencies, including grants specific to small businesses. Only grants offered on a first-come or competitive basis are listed. Although you can’t apply directly for a grant through the portal, details about each grant are provided, as well as contact information for the agency offering it.
California State Trade Expansion Program's Export Voucher
California’s STEP Export Voucher program helps eligible California small businesses expand internationally by reimbursing up to 75% of pre-approved export promotion expenses, up to $10,000. Eligible applicants must be for-profit, California businesses that meet the SBA definition of a small business. The business must also have been in operation for at least one year. Deadlines are round-based (with round-specific deadlines tied to different activity periods), and you must apply before your planned activity for it to be eligible. Applications are currently open until March 31, 2026.
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is awarding $5,000 grants to 25 California-based business owners. To be eligible, applicants must be over 18 and have a U.S.-based, for-profit business with a primary business address in California. You must also create a Digital Ready account and complete one eligible Digital Ready course/event between January 1, 2026 and March 31, 2026 to unlock the application. The application deadline is March 31, 2026.
Restaurants Care Resilience Fund grants
The Restaurants Care Resilience Fund awards $5,000 grants to independent restaurants located in California. The grants can be used for equipment, technology upgrades, employee retention, training and bonuses, as well as to cover a hardship such as theft or fire. To be eligible, the restaurant must be open for at least a year, be owned by a California resident and be located in the state. Also, annual revenue must be under $3 million. Chain and franchise restaurants aren’t eligible. The 2026 grant application cycle is expected to open in the summer.
» MORE: LGBTQ+ small-business grants
San Francisco Storefront Opportunity Grant
The Storefront Opportunity Grant (SOG) from the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development offers $50,000–$100,000 to eligible businesses to help offset the first year of operating costs for a new storefronts in certain commercial corridors. Eligible applicants must have been in business for at least 3 years, be opening a storefront in the same industry and submit an application with a newly signed commercial lease dated October 1, 2025 or later. (Lease renewals are not eligible). Applications are accepted until May 29, 2026 or until funding runs out.
Ysabel Jurado Microenterprise Grant Program
The Ysabel Jurado Microenterprise Grant Program run by the City of Los Angeles' Economic and Workforce Development Department provides $3,000 to small businesses. Eligible businesses must be for-profit, located in LA City Council District 14, have annual revenue of less than $1 million and no more than five employees. The application period is open from March 2-31, 2026. Grant funds can be used for payroll, rent payments, utilities, insurance, inventory and marketing/communications.
Richmond Small Business Facade Improvement Program
The City of Richmond’s Small Business Facade Improvement Program offers grants up to $15,000 to help businesses make exterior improvements to their storefronts. Eligible businesses must be located in one of three neighborhoods (Iron Triangle, Santa Fe, Coronado), have generated less than $2 million in revenue in 2024 and have an active Richmond business license. The program is open from December 2025 through December 2026 (or until funds are awarded). Projects are required to start within 90 days of approval.
California Green Business Network x Intuit Electrification Mini-Grant
The California Green Business Network (CAGBN) x Intuit Electrification Mini-Grants program awards up to 70 micro-grants of $1,000 to support small California businesses completing energy-efficiency and electrification upgrades. Eligible applicants must be a certified-level green business (or complete certification by March 31, 2026), have 100 or fewer employees and $3.5M or less in annual revenue. The grants are issued as reimbursements after purchase receipts are submitted. Applications were open from Sept. 10 to Oct. 24, 2025 and projects must be completed by March 31, 2026.
National grant programs open to California businesses
California business owners can also apply for grants that are available to businesses located throughout the U.S. Here are some to consider:
Grants.gov
Federal grants are published on Grants.gov. The website, which is managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is designed to allow you to find and apply for grants offered by the Agency for International Development, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy and other federal agencies.
America’s Seed Fund
America's Seed Fund, coordinated by the Small Business Administration, offers grants to assist small businesses operating in the tech industry. Funding is provided through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Grant awards from $50,000 to $1.8 million take place over a span of two years in three phases: proof of concept, technology development and commercialization.
WomensNet Grants
WomensNet awards are available to women business owners throughout the U.S. There are three types — Amber Grants, Startup Grants and Business Category Grants. A $10,000 award of each type is given out each month, as well as three annual awards of $50,000. To be eligible, you must be 18 years or older and have 50% or more ownership in a business that operates in the U.S. or Canada.
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) grant
Growth Grants are offered by the nonprofit National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE). Award amounts can go as high as $4,000 and can be used for marketing, advertising, expansion and other business activities. You need to be a member of the association and have a business plan available for evaluation. NASE accepts and reviews applications on a quarterly basis.
Program for Investors in Microentrepreneurs
The Program for Investors in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME), through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), is designed to assist disadvantaged microentrepreneurs. These grants support nonprofit organizations that help low-income entrepreneurs access the funding, training and technical assistance necessary to start or expand their small businesses.
Steps in the small-business grants process
The application process for each grant will differ. However, there are some basic steps you can take to help make the application process more manageable.
Identify grants that are suited to your business
Organizations that offer grants often have a key focus, such as helping entrepreneurs, encouraging expansion of existing businesses or assisting businesses in underserved communities. For example, there are startup business grants, grants for Black women, and grants for people previously convicted of felonies.
Applying for grants in which the organization's goals match your type of business or relate to you as the business owner will generally help you when being evaluated for the award.
Confirm grant details
Understanding the specifics of the grant program is key to successfully submitting your application. Things to know include:
- Eligibility requirements. Review eligibility requirements related to the program such as business location, time in operation, annual revenue and business ownership.
- Funding options. Some grant awards are cash while others may take the form of reimbursements for eligible expenses or non-financial benefits such as training and marketing support.
- Application deadlines. Grants can be awarded annually, multiple times in a given year or even monthly; regardless of the timing, you’ll want to make sure you can complete the application by the deadline.
- Awards dates. For most grant programs, the process is not quick. If the award date for a grant program doesn’t meet your timeframe, you’ll likely want to consider other options.
Prepare and submit applications
Grant applications often provide an opportunity for you to include a statement of need for the grant funds. You may want to share how the funds will be used and how the funds could benefit your business, customers and surrounding community. You’ll want to allow yourself adequate time to write a compelling statement.
Also, having a trusted mentor or a business consultant review your application can be helpful in submitting a polished application. Free and low-cost assistance, including mentoring and face-to-face consulting, is available from organizations such as the California Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), California Women’s Business Centers and SCORE.
Consider backup funding options
Because the competition for grants is typically quite steep, you may want to consider a backup plan if you do not receive the grant. Small-business loans can be a good alternative, with options like the following:
- Bank loans. Banks typically offer the best interest rates and terms, but often require multiple years in business and a solid credit history.
- SBA loans. Loans through SBA lenders with competitive interest rates and long repayment terms can be easier to qualify for than a bank loan.
- Online lenders. For newer businesses, online lenders can offer more flexible qualification requirements and faster funding, but often have higher interest rates and shorter repayment periods.
Also check out more of NerdWallet's business grant coverage. See our comprehensive lists of:
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On this page
- California-specific small-business grants
- California Grants Portal
- California State Trade Expansion Program's Export Voucher
- Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
- Restaurants Care Resilience Fund grants
- San Francisco Storefront Opportunity Grant
- Ysabel Jurado Microenterprise Grant Program
- Richmond Small Business Facade Improvement Program
- California Green Business Network x Intuit Electrification Mini-Grant
- National grants available to California small businesses
- The small business grant process
