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Ready, Set, Thrive: The 2026 Grant Roundup Every Small Business Should Know
- Erika Willitzer
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
Heads Up: Small business grants are highly competitive and should be seen as bonus opportunities, not guaranteed funding. On average, only about 10–20% of applicants are successful in securing grants, depending on the program. While there are thousands of grants listed nationally across federal, state, and private sources (Grants.gov alone lists over 1,000 active federal opportunities at any given time), the sheer number of small businesses in the U.S.—more than 33 million—means competition is fierce.
Federal Grants
1. Grants.gov
Comprehensive database of federal grants across all industries.
2. SBIR & STTR Programs
For tech and science-based businesses with fewer than 500 employees.👉 Apply here
3. USDA Rural Business Development Grant
For rural businesses with <50 employees and <$1M revenue.👉 Apply here
4. SBA PRIME Program
Funds nonprofits that support disadvantaged microentrepreneurs.👉 Program info
Regional & State Grants
5. Economic Development Administration (EDA)
Supports local entrepreneurship and job creation.👉 Search your region
6. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
Connects you with local grants, training, and counseling.👉 Find your SBDC
7. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
Annual grant competitions and capital access for minority-owned businesses.👉 Apply here
8. State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Helps businesses expand into international markets.👉 Program info
Private & Corporate Grants
9. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant
$10K grants for completing 2 free courses.👉 Apply here
10. NASE Growth Grant
Up to $4K for NASE members.👉 Apply here
11. Freed Fellowship Grant
$500 monthly + $2,500 annual grants.👉 Apply here
12. Start.Pivot.Grow. Microgrant
$2,500 quarterly grants for small teams.👉 Apply here
13. Skip Small Business Grants
Monthly and instant grants via Skip platform.👉 Apply here
14. Honeycomb Celebration Grant
$2,500 grants for growth-stage businesses.👉 Apply here
15. Intuit QuickBooks & Mailchimp Hero Program
$20K quarterly grants + free tools.👉 Apply here
16. Allstate Main Street Grants
$20K grants + Boost Camp accelerator.👉 Apply here
17. Progressive Driving Small Business Forward Grant
$50K grants for businesses needing vehicles.👉 Program info
18. Amazon Small Business Grant
$15K–$25K grants for Amazon Business users.👉 Program info
Startup & Creative Grants
19. Faire Small Business Grant
$5K in inventory credit for new retailers.👉 Apply here
20. FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab
$5K grant + 4-month cohort.👉 Apply here
21. Amber Grant for Women
$10K monthly + $25K annual grants.👉 Apply here
Disaster & Hardship Grants
22. DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund
$10K grants for restaurants affected by disasters.👉 Apply here
23. Etsy Emergency Relief Fund
$2K grants for Etsy sellers impacted by disasters.👉 Apply here
24. Small Business Readiness for Resiliency (R4R)
$5K grants for disaster-prepared businesses.👉 Apply here
Final Tip: Many of these grants have rolling deadlines or quarterly cycles, so set reminders and revisit them often. Free money is out there—you just need to claim it.
Here's is the above information but provided in a different format below:
Grant Name | Amount | Eligibility | Opens / Closes | Apply |
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant | $10,000 | U.S.-based for-profit business; owner 18+; complete 2 free courses | Open July 1, 2025 / Closes Dec 10, 2025 | |
DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund | $5,000–$15,000 | Brick-and-mortar businesses affected by disaster; <50 employees; <$3M revenue | Rolling quarterly / Current round closes Jan 6, 2026 | |
Amber Grant for Women | $10,000 monthly + $25,000 annual | Women-owned U.S. businesses; all industries and stages | Rolling monthly / Annual award in December | |
NASE Growth Grant | Up to $4,000 | Must be a NASE member; business need must be clearly defined | Rolling monthly | |
Amazon Small Business Grant | $15,000–$25,000 | U.S.-based Amazon Business account holders; <$1M revenue | Opens May 1, 2026 / Closes May 23, 2026 | |
Freed Fellowship Grant | $500 monthly + $2,500 annual | U.S.-based micro/small businesses; underrepresented founders encouraged | Rolling monthly | |
Start.Pivot.Grow. Microgrant | $2,500 | U.S.-based for-profit businesses; $50K+ revenue; ≤2 employees | Rolling quarterly | |
Honeycomb Celebration Grant | $2,500 | U.S. entrepreneurs; all industries and stages | Opens May 13, 2025 / Closes June 27, 2025 | |
Progressive Driving Small Business Forward Grant | $50,000 | U.S.-based for-profit businesses needing a commercial vehicle | Opens May 6, 2025 / Closes June 20, 2025 | |
Intuit QuickBooks & Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program | $20,000 quarterly | U.S.-based small businesses; owner 18+; nominated by others | Rolling quarterly / Next round closes Nov 14, 2025 |
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