10 Open Grants for Businesses and Entrepreneurs

During the past 13 months while the country has been struggling with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses of all sizes have struggled. While many business flourished in 2020, perhaps unexpectedly, by August of 2020 some 163,735 businesses had permanently closed. This showed a 23% increase since mid-July, indicating how widespread the economic impact of the pandemic has hit the business sector. Grants for businesses can help offset some of the damage businesses suffered and continue to suffer into 2021.

This is why supporting business is more vital than ever in 2021. And that’s why so many nonprofits and federal agencies are funding programs to help the business sector during this difficult time.

There are hundreds of grants for businesses available! At GrantWatch, we list over 900 grants for businesses and the organizations that support them. While some are targeted at a specific region or state, others are open across the US.

Grants for Businesses Help Entrepreneurs and the Organizations That Support Them

Below are five grants that support businesses. While some are aimed at specific states, others are available across the US and Canada. Either way, all are a potential pathway to business survival and innovation.

1. For Illinois property owners and tenants, there is a grant for improvements to commercial or industrial properties. Grants up to $250,000 are available for buying new property, improving existing property and more.

2. Midwestern dairy farmers can apply for a grant to encourage growth and expansion. Here, grants of up to $50,000 are offered to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, South Dakota, and Iowa dairy producers, processors, and manufacturers. For this grant, funding may be used for activities related to marketing, product development, packaging, and exporting.

3. New US, Canadian and international start-ups can apply to this business accelerator program. The grant program welcomes applications from early stage startups across all industries from anywhere in the world. However, eligibility depends on having raised less than $1 million in equity-based funding, generated less than $2 million in annual revenue, and are set to make a big impact in their industry or in the world.

4. In Rhode Island, entrepreneurs may compete for cash awards and in-kind support to develop their business. Here, one winner and three finalists will share $150,000 in prizes.

5. El Paso, Texas is offering small business grants in need of assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. Texas businesses in eligible locations may receive up to $10,000 for support during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis.

And here’s another 5 more grants for businesses and entrepreneurs:

6. And, in Massachusetts, micro-loans up to $10,000 are open to businesses in the towns of Acton, Boxborough, Littleton, Maynard, and Westford. These grants should mitigate the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

7. And, for Florida marina operators and towns and tribes with public boating facilities, grants in two tiers are available for construction, renovation, planning and education. These grants range from $5,000 to $200,000 for Tier 1 or $200,001 to $1,500,000 for Tier 2.

8. Also in Illinois, grants for community development activities are open to nonprofits and property owners. There are two grant categories: one offering up to $250,000 and one for projects over $250,000. Both should support local business and property owners to ensure that investments in the neighborhoods remain in those neighborhoods.

9. Nonprofits in the US may apply for grants to support initiatives to promote entrepreneurship. For this grant, entrepreneurs may request up to $250,000 with three grant tracks: building support for America’s new business plan; addressing challenges faced by entrepreneurs of color; and advocating for Kansas and Missouri entrepreneurs.

10. Finally, a grant for wireless assistive technologies is open for non- or for-profit organizations to research and create new technologies to assist people with disabilities.

GrantWatch Supports Businesses By Listing Funding Opportunities

We understand the hardships businesses face during crises like the ongoing public health emergency. And, we also know that businesses deal with challenges on an ongoing basis, too. That’s why GrantWatch has an entire grant category devoted to business, as well as one for grants related to the coronavirus pandemic.

If you have any questions on any of these grants or would like to unlock special features available to GrantWatch.com subscribers, just call our customer support team at (561) 249-4129.