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Summer Small Business Grants


Small business owners are some of the hardest-working people in the country.

They are running storefronts, managing employees, serving customers, updating websites, ordering inventory, creating content, handling bookkeeping, and somehow still finding time to support their communities.


So when national grant opportunities open up, they are worth a look.

Below is a curated list of grants and award programs that are not limited to one specific city or state. These opportunities are open to U.S.-based small business owners, although some have additional requirements based on industry, business stage, ownership, or program focus.


1. U.S. Chamber CO—100 Awards

Deadline: July 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET

Best for: Established U.S. small businesses with a strong story, community impact, growth, innovation, or customer focus.

Funding/award: Recognition as one of America’s top small businesses, with award opportunities that include $25,000 and $2,000 awards.


The U.S. Chamber CO—100 recognizes standout small businesses across the country. This is a strong fit for small-town businesses with a compelling story — especially those that have shown resilience, innovation, strong customer service, community leadership, or meaningful growth.


Eligible businesses generally must be for-profit, primarily based in the United States, operating for at least one year, and have fewer than 250 employees and gross revenues under $20 million for both 2024 and 2025.


There is an entry fee, but the program rules mention a no-fee method, so review that carefully before applying.


2. Santander Cultivate Small Business

Deadline: July 21, 2026

Best for: U.S.-based food entrepreneurs and early-stage food businesses.

Funding/support: Free 12-week business education program, $2,500 for participants who complete the program, and up to $20,000 for select graduates.

This program is a great fit for food entrepreneurs who want more than just funding. Participants receive business education, mentoring, and support to build a stronger business plan.


Eligible businesses generally must be in the food industry, located in the United States, operating for at least one year as of January 1, 2025, have 1–10 full-time equivalent employees, and have annual revenue between $25,000 and $1 million.

For small-town restaurants, bakers, food manufacturers, caterers, specialty food shops, and food-service businesses, this could be a very useful opportunity.


3. Breva Thrive Grant

Deadline: July 31, 2026, for the Q3 cycle

Best for: U.S. small businesses making a positive community impact.

Funding: $5,000.

Apply here: Breva Thrive Grant

The Breva Thrive Grant supports small businesses that are doing meaningful work in their communities. That could include creating jobs, improving access to goods or services, launching innovative products, or serving underrepresented or high-need communities.


This is a strong fit for small businesses that can clearly explain not just what they sell, but how they help their community.

The grant is awarded quarterly, and the Q3 application deadline is July 31.


4. Galaxy Grant

Deadline: July 31, 2026

Best for: Women and minority entrepreneurs, including aspiring business owners, new business owners, and experienced business owners.

Funding: $4,250 for the current grant cycle.

Apply here: Galaxy Grants

Galaxy Grants are designed to be quick and simple to apply for. The application page says it takes about 30 seconds, which makes this one of the more accessible opportunities for busy small business owners.


This is especially relevant for women and minority entrepreneurs, but it is not tied to one specific state or city.


5. Changing the Game Grant

Deadline: July 31, 2026

Best for: U.S.-based for-profit food, beverage, event, café, restaurant, bar, or community-space businesses centered around women’s sports.

Funding: Five $20,000 grants.

This grant is for founders building or reimagining community-centered food and beverage spaces where women’s sports are part of the experience.

For example, this could fit a sports bar, coffee shop, restaurant, café, event venue, or gathering space that wants to host watch parties, create inclusive programming, or build a community around women’s sports.


This is a niche grant, but for the right small business, it could be a great match.


6. Freed Fellowship Grant

Deadline: Rolling monthly; apply by the last day of the month to be considered for that month’s cycle. For this list, apply by July 31, 2026.

Best for: U.S. microbusinesses and small business owners.

Funding: $500 monthly grant, plus eligibility for a $2,500 year-end grant.


The Freed Fellowship Grant is open to micro and small business owners in the United States. It especially encourages applications from underrepresented and overlooked entrepreneurs, but eligibility is not limited to one state or city.


Applicants receive feedback on their business, and selected fellows receive a $500 no-strings-attached grant, business support, and consideration for a year-end grant. Note: The application page lists a $19 application fee.


7. Shophand Small Business Boost Grant

Deadline: August 1, 2026, for the current cycle

Best for: U.S.-based small businesses that need help with technology, operations, marketing, systems, or AI tools.

Funding/support: $2,500 in cash plus $2,500 in Shophand technical support and services.

This is a great fit for the business owner who is wearing too many hats and needs help getting organized.


The grant is designed for small business owners facing challenges with marketing, operations, customer experience, creative/media needs, finance, tech setup, software, or AI tools.


Eligible businesses must be U.S.-based, for-profit, actively operating, have fewer than 50 employees, and generate under $5 million in annual revenue. Solopreneurs can apply.


8. NASE Growth Grants

Deadline: Rolling applications, reviewed quarterly

Best for: Self-employed business owners and microbusinesses that are NASE members.

Funding: Up to $4,000.

Apply here: NASE Growth Grants

The National Association for the Self-Employed offers Growth Grants to help members invest in business development. Funds can be used for needs such as marketing, advertising, hiring, equipment, technology, and other growth-related expenses.


This is not state-specific, but there is a membership requirement. Applicants must be NASE members in good standing, and some applicants must meet membership-duration requirements before applying.


9. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready National Grant

Deadline: Apply once in 2026; applications are reviewed monthly through December 2026. For this list, apply by August 30 to be considered in upcoming review cycles.

Best for: U.S.-based for-profit small businesses that want funding plus free business education.

Funding: $10,000 grants awarded throughout the year.

This is one of the strongest national opportunities for small business owners because it combines free learning with grant eligibility.

To unlock the grant application, business owners must register and complete two eligible courses or events. Once they apply, they remain eligible for $10,000 grants awarded throughout the year.


Eligible applicants include owners of for-profit small businesses based in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands who are 18 or older.

10. Small Business Readiness for Resiliency Program

Deadline: Rolling registration; register before a qualifying disaster happens.

Best for: U.S. small businesses that want to become eligible for disaster recovery funding.

Funding: $5,000 grant if a qualifying disaster impacts the business and eligibility requirements are met.

This program is different from a typical grant because business owners must register before a disaster happens.


The program helps small businesses prepare now and become eligible for a $5,000 grant if a qualifying disaster later impacts their area. Businesses must complete the preparedness checklist, register, and meet program criteria.

This is especially important for small-town businesses that may be vulnerable to flooding, tornadoes, severe storms, wildfires, winter storms, or other emergencies.


National Opportunities With More Specific Eligibility

These are still national, but they are not open to every type of small business owner.

11. Hey Helen Grant

Deadline: August 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST

Best for: U.S.-based, women-owned, mission-driven for-profit businesses.

Funding: $10,000 unrestricted cash award.

Apply here: Hey Helen Grant

The Hey Helen Grant supports women-owned businesses that are building something with purpose and impact. Funds may be used for operations, growth, marketing, hiring, infrastructure, or whatever the founder needs most for the next stage of the business.

Eligible applicants must be legal U.S. residents, age 18 or older, own 100% of the applicant business, operate a for-profit business, and generate less than $1 million in annual revenue.

Note: The application page lists a $15 administrative fee.


12. HerRise MicroGrant

Deadline: Rolling monthly; apply by the last day of the month. For this list, apply by July 31, 2026.

Best for: U.S.-based women of color entrepreneurs.

Funding: $1,000 monthly microgrant.

Apply here: HerRise MicroGrant

The HerRise MicroGrant supports women of color entrepreneurs who are building businesses that impact their communities.

This is a smaller grant, but it can help with practical business needs such as marketing, equipment, operations, or growth expenses.


13. YippityDoo Big Idea Grant

Deadline: Rolling monthly; apply by the current monthly cycle deadline.

Best for: U.S.-based women entrepreneurs, including those with a business idea or existing for-profit business.

Funding: $1,000 monthly grant.

The Big Idea Grant is designed to support women entrepreneurs with a business or business idea. The funding can be used for startup costs, marketing, operations, or other business needs.

This opportunity is national, but it is specifically for women entrepreneurs.


What Small Business Owners Should Gather Before Applying

Before starting any grant application, gather the basics:

  • Business registration documents

  • EIN or tax ID information

  • W-9

  • Proof of business location

  • Revenue information

  • Number of employees

  • A short business story

  • A clear explanation of how the funds would be used

  • A simple project budget

  • Photos, estimates, or invoices if the grant involves improvements or equipment

  • Documentation of community impact, if required


For small-town business owners, the “story” section matters. Do not just say you need money. Explain what your business does for the community.

Do you create jobs? Bring people downtown? Support local events? Fill a needed service gap? Help visitors discover your town? Provide a gathering place? Give young people their first job?


That is the kind of story grant reviewers remember.


A Smart Way to Apply

Do not apply for every grant just because it exists. Apply for the ones that match your business best.

A restaurant should look closely at food-business grants. A boutique or service business may be a better fit for a general small business grant. A business with a strong community mission may stand out for impact-focused grants. A business owner who needs help with technology should look closely at Shophand or Verizon Digital Ready.


A strong application is usually clear, specific, and realistic.

Instead of saying, “I need help growing,” say something like:

“Our business would use this grant to purchase updated equipment, improve our website, launch a fall marketing campaign, and increase foot traffic during our slower season.”

That tells the reviewer exactly how the money will help.


One More Reminder

Grant funding is competitive, but small business owners should not count themselves out.


Sometimes the businesses that win are not the biggest or flashiest. They are the ones that explain their story clearly, follow the directions, meet the deadline, and show how the funding will create real impact.



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