Federal and corporate grants can be highly competitive. Applying for just one may not be enough, and increasing your chances of winning a grant happens with you submitting more applications. Be sure you have up to date and clear documentation about your business, and that includes a refined description and unique value proposition. Having a strong business plan is good too, and be sure to strategically articulate how youโll use of funds that align with each grantโs goals through a measured approach.
Many state and local grants have smaller applicant pools and higher success rates; regional economic development agencies and SBDCs can help identify those.
Use centralized databases (like Grants.gov and IFundWomen) as ongoing search tools to discover new opportunities as they open. They actually have an email subscription feature so that you can get details about upcoming grants right to your inbox. I will admit, you may see a lot and it may feel overwhelming at times, especially when you have other priorities and deadlines in front of you. I would suggest blocking off an hour on your calendar to apply to a few of these. Have a folder on your computer named โGrant Documentsโ or something like that and have all of the artifacts you will use repetitively in there.
Example Artifacts:
- Capability Statement
- Company history
- Awards and Accreditations
- One or two general scenarios of how youโd spend/use the grant once awarded
- Head shot, Logo, social media links
- 2-3 client reference letters
- A spreadsheet with grants youโve applied for, when, a follow up schedule, and notes
Grants.gov (Federal Funding Opportunities) โ Central portal for federal grant opportunities. Businesses should search by eligible categories and agency; many opportunities are issued through departments like Commerce, Agriculture, NIH and more. Visit the site to filter for small business-related opportunities. Search Federal Funding Opportunities on Grants.gov
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Grants & Programs โ While the SBA doesnโt offer traditional grants for most for-profit businesses, it does provide access to highly competitive research and innovation funding (like SBIR/STTR) and connects entrepreneurs with resources that can help secure funding. Explore SBA Grant and Funding Programs
Intuit QuickBooks x Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program โ Corporate sponsor grant program awarding multiple $20,000 grants annually to small businesses demonstrating strong community impact and resilience. Applications (via nomination) are submitted through the official program page. Consider one or two of your fellow Chamber colleagues. Apply for the Small Business Hero Program
Amber Grant for Women โ Monthly grant program focused on supporting women entrepreneurs. Winners receive a minimum $30,000 award, with additional year-end awards available. Details and applications are on the WomensNet site. (Inc Magazine includes this in its current list of grants for 2026). Amber Grant for Womenย
Breva Thrive Grant โ Quarterly $5,000 grant aimed at entrepreneurs having a positive impact on underrepresented communities. Eligibility and application details available through the host organizationโs website. Breva Thrive Grant Information
Freed Fellowship Grant โ Small business grant that includes business feedback and mentorship in addition to funding ($2,500 base award with monthly $500 opportunities). Apply through the Freed Fellowship platform. Freed Fellowship Grant Overview
Venmo Small Business Grant โ Offers $10,000 grants to multiple small business owners each year; eligibility typically includes having a U.S. Venmo business account and meeting basic revenue/employee thresholds. Venmo Small Business Grant Program
IFundWomen Grants Marketplace โ A grant and business funding marketplace that aggregates corporate and partner grant opportunities for startups and small businesses. One application in the platform may match multiple eligible opportunities. Several grants are listed on this page: Browse Grants on IFundWomen
State and Local Economic Development Grants โ Many state business development offices publish direct grant opportunities for small businesses (e.g., North Carolinaโs statewide grant listings or Illinois SBIR/STTR match programs). Members should check their state economic development site for active programs. Search State Small Business Grantsย
MBDA (Minority Business Development Agency) Funding & Resources โ While MBDA does not list direct large cash grants to individual businesses on its main grant page, it connects minority-owned businesses to grant resources, funding partnerships, and government contract opportunities. MBDA Financial Grants and Resources
