Small-Business Grants for Minorities
Every minority business owner knows that the secret to success is getting access to free financing. There are grants available for minority-owned businesses that can help you get started, grow your company, and succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. These grants are available to all minorities who own a business in the United States.
Here are some of the best small-business grants and other useful financing resources for minority-owned businesses.
1. Grants.gov
Grants.gov allows grant seekers to find and apply for federal funding opportunities. It contains information on more than 1,000 grant programs across federal grant-making agencies, including the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
2. The USDA Rural Business Development Grant Program
This is a USDA grant for the development or expansion of small businesses in rural areas — minority-owned or not. To qualify, you’ll need to have 50 or fewer new employees, less than $1 million in gross revenue and be located in an eligible rural area.
3. National Association for the Self-Employed
This nonprofit trade association provides educational resources and grants for small businesses and entrepreneurs. To apply for a grant of up to $4,000, you’ll need to become an active member of the association, provide a detailed explanation of how you’ll use the funds, show how the grant will support your business growth, and provide supporting documentation.
4. FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
The FedEx Small Business annual grant contest awards 12 small businesses with grants of up to $50,000. Any for-profit small business that has been operating for at least six months and has fewer than 99 employees is eligible to enter.
5. Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs
These two small business programs provide contracts and grants for early-stage small businesses that are looking to commercialize innovative research and development.
6. Minority Business Development Agency
This development agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce promotes the growth of minority-run small businesses by connecting owners to financing resources, federal contracts and market opportunities.
7. National Minority Supplier Development Council
The council is a corporate member organization focused on increasing business opportunities for certified minority-owned businesses. It operates the Business Consortium Fund, a nonprofit business development program, which offers financing programs and business advisory services for its members.
8. SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
Socially or economically disadvantaged small-business owners are eligible to receive help through this SBA 8(a) program, which provides business development assistance, training, and management and technical guidance.
9. Operation Hope Small-Business Empowerment Program
The Operation Hope program is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs in low-wealth neighborhoods, which often include minority communities. The program combines business training and financial counseling along with access to small-business financing options.
10. Fast Break for Small Business
This $6 million grant program is a partnership among LegalZoom, the NBA, WBNA, and NBA G League. Businesses can receive grant money and LegalZoom services. Accion Opportunity Fund is the nonprofit administrator of the program.
To find out if or how to qualify for any of these programs, please contact us at info@ppmtgroup.com
