As the COVID-19 pandemic causes financial damage for small businesses, many owners are on the prowl for federal and national grants. Yet, while the federal government offers relief through the Small Business Administration (SBA), those programs have limited funds and don’t meet the needs of every small business. And the applicant pool for national grants may be more competitive than ever.
With all that in mind, you may have better luck looking local — many states and cities are also offering grants for small business owners.
State and City Grant Programs for Small Business
Local grant programs recognize the impact small businesses have on local, state, and national economies. Various states, cities, and nonprofit organizations have put programs in place to bolster small businesses as they attempt to recover and serve their local communities.
Idaho is making available $300 million in state grants for small business owners that have been affected by the coronavirus. The program offers cash grants of up to $10,000 for qualifying small businesses.
Other states are offering grants for small business owners, but some are closing or pausing their application cycles as needed. Yet it’s comforting to know states are offering these initiatives and getting money into the hands of small business owners quickly. For example, Iowa’s governor created the Iowa Small Business Relief Program to provide eligible small businesses with grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Through three phases of funding, the program has awarded $57.9 million in grants to 2,980 small businesses in Iowa.
Some individual cities are also offering grants to their local communities. In San Francisco, a mini-grant program offers up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses and small businesses located in historically underserved communities. New York City’s Small Business Services division offered grants to help small businesses retain their employees, as well as zero-interest loans of up to $75,000 for businesses with fewer than 100 employees and a documented 25% drop in business due to coronavirus. Both NYC programs have currently stopped accepting applicants but could reopen if they receive additional funding.
For more city and state grants for small business owners, consult the list maintained by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to state- and city-specific programs, a number of corporations and nonprofit organizations are also offering grants to help small businesses succeed. For instance, Facebook has committed to offering up to $40 million in cash grants and advertising credits to 10,000 small businesses in the U.S. Digital fundraising platform Hello Alice, in partnership with Verizon, is offering emergency grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses affected by the pandemic. For more grant programs, consider looking to industry groups, organizations for women-owned businesses, and other small business associations.
How Can Small Businesses Apply for State and City Grants
Business owners who want to apply for grants offered by their state, region, or other entity should start by carefully reading all the application instructions. Each program will have differing requirements, such as a certain number of employees, revenue, or headquarters location. To demonstrate how your business meets the criteria and to apply for a grant, you may need some of the following documents:
- Employment records, such as payroll reports
- Profit and loss statements, in some cases, to document a loss of income during the pandemic
- Articles of incorporation
- Business plan
- Employer tax identification number
- Most recent tax returns
Applying for small business grants offered by your state, city or region could be an important step toward financing your business recovery. Even if you need additional funding from a lender or the SBA to overcome damage to your business, any grant monies will not have to be repaid and can provide a powerful influx of cash, which may be needed now more than ever.
grant programs , for Colorado .
Hi Bridget,
Here are several links for help and support in Colorado for loans and grants:
Colorado State government page: https://covid19.colorado.gov/
Office of Economic Development and International Trade: https://choosecolorado.com/covid19/
WomensNet Amber Grant – for women owned businesses: https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/business-grants-women-colorado/
We hope you are able to find a grant program to help your business.
Hi I am looking for a small business grant to use for my business in milwaukee wisconsin.
Hi Stacey,
Here is the link for your area: https://city.milwaukee.gov/DCD/BusinessToolbox/COVID-19-Resources.htm#.Xr8jEWipFpk
This page includes information on loan and grant programs specific for your area.
We wish you the best during this difficult time.
Thanks for this post! Do you have any Atlanta, GA info? I work and live in Cobb County. Marietta and Kennesaw respectively. I am a EDWOSB.
Hi Cheryl,
We found the following links that might be helpful in finding grants and loan programs in your area:
https://www.georgiasbdc.org/georgia-small-business-recovery/
https://www.mariettaga.gov/674/Incentives-Financing
https://www.cobbcounty.org/economic-development/cdbg-program-office/programs
Best of luck!
My name is Yolanda and I’m looking for minority and woman owned grants and covid -19 relief for the city of Saginaw, Michigan. Any info is much appreciated!
Hi Yolanda,
Thanks for reading our article and your question. Here are some links with resources for you:
https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/business-grants-women-michigan/
http://mbami.org/news/400000-in-small-business-relief-grants-awarded-to-businesses-in-arenac-bay-midland-and-saginaw-counties/
https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/services/grants
We wish you the best during this difficult time.
I currently applied for SBA loan, Unemployment insurance and PPP loan. i have received the PPP loan from my bank unfortunately it wasn’t enough to cover much. and SBA has not gotten back to me regarding my application for a grant. Unemployment hasn’t gotten back to me either. Business is extremely slow right now rent and bills were due at the beginning of the month and can’t seen to pay them. i do anticipate my business picking up in the next few months. I currently need help with a Grant or a Loan to help me through these difficult times.
Hi Oscar,
We recommend you do an online search for your state or city government website page. There should be information and COVID-19 support for business owners, including loan and grant programs specific for your area.
We wish you the best of luck and hope you find the support you need.
I am wanting to apply for a state grant to help us at this bad time please contact me asap
Hi Wanda,
We cannot respond directly, but recommend you do a search for your state or city government website page. There should be COVID-19 support for business owners, including loan and grant programs specific for your area.
We wish you the best of luck and hope you find the support you need.
How do I find out about grants in Fl I live in Volusia County
Hi Angela,
Here is a link for more information on COVID-19 grants and assistance for businesses in your area: https://www.volusia.org/services/public-protection/emergency-management/pin/coronavirus/business-assistance-resources.stml
We wish you the best during this difficult time.
Hi, this article has been helpful and hopeful. I am currently a successful co-owner of a Missouri childcare business. My business partner and I were looking into expanding our services to more families. She has decide to withdraw from the business which leaves me with a dream and very little funding. The need for quality childcare is great, especially with so many closing due to the recent pandemic. Can you direct me to any additional services outside of the ones mentioned in your article?
Hi Christina,
There are several loan options through the SBA: Disaster Relief Loans (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). You can learn more about each on the SBA.gov website. Here’s a link from our Blog to compare the two loans: https://www.nationalfunding.com/blog/sba-paycheck-protection-program-ppp-vs-economic-injury-disaster-loans-eidl-during-coronavirus-pandemic/
We wish you the best of luck finding the right lending source to help you grow your business!
Hi I am looking for a small business grant to use for my business in Miami- Fl
Hi Vladimir,
Here are a few links for your area:
https://www.miamidade.gov/business/business-assistance.asp
https://www.miamidda.com/small-businesses/
We hope this is helpful for you!
Hi I am looking for programs in South Texas. Any links for me?
Hi Blanca,
Here are a few links you might find helpful for your small business:
SBA website for local resources based on your local zip code: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/find/?type=Small%20Business%20Development%20Center&pageNumber=1
NFIB website for Texas resources: https://www.nfib.com/content/news/coronavirus-state/covid-19-updates-resources-for-tx-small-businesses/
Additional resource for Texas/south Texas: https://businessintexas.com/texas-regions/south-texas
Good luck and we wish you the best.