Verified small-business funding programs
Every program below links to its official government or funder source, along with the date we last checked it. We do not decide who receives funding, and criteria change — always confirm the current details at the source before applying.
- A4CB Business Loans
CDFI financing · Businesses in Illinois
A Chicago-based nonprofit CDFI offering term loans and lines of credit to early, emerging, and established small businesses that use alternative underwriting rather than convention…
- Accion Opportunity Fund Loans
CDFI financing · Businesses in California
A nonprofit CDFI offering term loans, SBA 7(a), and equipment financing to underserved entrepreneurs — including women-, minority-, and immigrant-owned businesses — in 45 states.
- Advantage Illinois (Participation Loan Program / Loan Guarantee Program)
Government loan · Businesses in Illinois
A state credit-enhancement program, funded through the federal State Small Business Credit Initiative, in which Illinois purchases a participation in a bank loan or guarantees a po…
- Allstate Main Street Grants Program
Corporate grant · Available nationwide
A $20,000 competitive grant plus a coaching Boost Camp for small businesses that anchor local Main Streets (minimum $25,000 revenue). Confirm the current round on helloalice.com.
- Amazon Small Business Grants
Corporate grant · Available nationwide
An annual competitive grant for Amazon Business customers with about $1 million or less in annual revenue. A recent cycle awarded $250,000 across 15 winners. Confirm the current ro…
- Ameren Illinois Small Business Direct Install (SBDI)
Utility rebate · Businesses in Illinois
Ameren Illinois's direct-install program gives small businesses a free energy consultation and heavily subsidizes lighting, weatherization, refrigeration, and smart-thermostat upgr…
- American Express Backing Small Businesses Grants
Corporate grant · Available nationwide
A competitive grant ($10,000 base, up to $30,000 enhancement) for independent brick-and-mortar businesses in historic/downtown commercial districts, 20 or fewer employees. Confirm …
- Austin Energy Commercial Rebates
Utility rebate · Businesses in Austin
Austin Energy offers 20+ commercial rebate programs — HVAC, lighting, cooling, water heating, envelope, motors, solar, EV charging, demand response — for Austin-area businesses, in…
- Austin Small and Minority Business Resources (SMBR) Certification
Certification · Businesses in Austin
City of Austin department certifying minority-owned, women-owned, disadvantaged, and small businesses (MBE, WBE, DBE, ACDBE, SBE) to compete for City of Austin and federally funded…
- BBIF Florida Small Business Loans
CDFI financing · Businesses in Florida
A 39-plus-year-old nonprofit CDFI serving Florida that offers microloans, small-business loans, Legacy loans, contractor financing, and commercial real estate loans, paired with bu…
- BCL of Texas Small Business Loans
CDFI financing · Businesses in Texas
A nonprofit CDFI lender offering tiered small-business loans, an SBA 504 program, and a Texas Small Business Diversity Fund, paired with free one-on-one business coaching, serving …
- Black Business Loan Program (BBLP)
Government loan · Businesses in Florida
A state-funded program (Fla. Stat. 288.7102) channeling annual state appropriations through certified nonprofit intermediary lenders to provide alternative loans and technical assi…
- Business Enterprise Program (BEP) Certification
Certification · Businesses in Illinois
The state's official certification for minority-, women-, veteran-, and disability-owned businesses, used to qualify firms for state contracting participation goals, set-asides, an…
- CalCAP for Small Business
CDFI financing · Businesses in California
A state credit-enhancement program that gives participating lenders a loss-reserve so they will lend to California small businesses that otherwise struggle to qualify. You apply th…
- California Competes Tax Credit
Tax credit · Businesses in California
A negotiated California income tax credit for businesses growing or expanding in California, awarded competitively on job creation and investment during periodic application window…
- California Small Business Centers (CalOSBA / SBDC network)
Technical assistance · Businesses in California
A statewide network of 150+ no-cost advising centers (including SBDCs) offering free, multilingual business consulting — with tracks for women, veterans, and government-contracting…
- California Small Business Loan Guarantee Program
Government loan · Businesses in California
A state loan-guarantee that reduces lender risk so California small businesses can get credit for start-up costs, construction, inventory, working capital, or expansion. Applied fo…
- California Utilities Supplier Clearinghouse (WBE/MBE/DVBE)
Certification · Businesses in California
Certifies women-, minority-, and disabled-veteran-owned businesses to be counted toward the supplier-diversity goals of California's major utilities (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, SoCalGas).
- Cartier Women's Initiative
Corporate grant · Available nationwide
A prestigious, highly competitive international award (up to $100,000) for women-led, impact-driven businesses with some traction — better suited to growth-stage than brand-new sin…
- CCLF Social Enterprise Loans
CDFI financing · Businesses in Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County and Will County
A certified CDFI providing flexible, affordable financing (working capital, predevelopment, construction/rehab, and permanent mortgage loans) to mission-driven and community-based …
- CDC Small Business Finance Loans
CDFI financing · Businesses in California
A nonprofit community lender offering SBA 504 real estate loans and general small business loans ($30K–$350K) with flexible, story-based underwriting for underserved borrowers.
- CenterPoint Energy Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Rebates
Utility rebate · Businesses in Texas
CenterPoint Energy's commercial and industrial energy-efficiency incentive program offering cash rebates to business electric customers in the greater Houston area for lighting, HV…
- City of Chicago M/W/DBE Certification (MBE/WBE Program)
Certification · Businesses in Chicago
The City of Chicago certification for minority-, women-, veteran-, and disadvantaged-owned businesses, used to qualify firms for participation goals on city contracts.
- City of Orlando Business Assistance Program (BAP)
City grant · Businesses in Orlando
A 50/50 matching-grant program helping new and expanding small businesses within Orlando city limits offset development fees and infrastructure/site costs.
- City of Tampa CRA Commercial Exterior Grant
City grant · Businesses in Tampa
A Tampa CRA grant funding building-facade and site-exterior improvements for commercial/mixed-use properties inside one of Tampa's nine designated CRA redevelopment districts.
- Comcast RISE
Corporate grant · Available nationwide
A competitive grant plus marketing, technology, and media support, primarily for small businesses owned by people of color (some cycles include women-owned). Recurring cycles — con…
- ComEd Energy Efficiency Program — Small Business Incentives
Utility rebate · Businesses in Illinois
ComEd's commercial energy-efficiency program offers instant/prescriptive incentives for small businesses to upgrade lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, and other equipment, for ComEd el…
- Community Contribution Tax Credit Program (CCTCP)
Tax credit · Businesses in Florida
A state tax-credit program letting any Florida business claim a credit against corporate income tax, insurance premium tax, or a sales-tax refund equal to up to 50% of the value of…
- Con Edison Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Program
Utility rebate · Businesses in New York
Cash incentives for Con Edison commercial and industrial customers who install qualifying energy-efficient equipment, plus a Small Business & Nonprofit savings track, in NYC and We…
- Cook County Small Business Source
Technical assistance · Businesses in Cook County
A free Cook County advising network connecting small business owners to one-on-one consulting, multilingual support, and events through 13 partner Business Support Organizations ac…
- CPS Energy STEP Commercial Rebates & Business Programs
Utility rebate · Businesses in San Antonio
Under its Sustainable Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP), CPS Energy offers San Antonio-area businesses energy-saving incentives including WiFi-thermostat rewards, commercial solar incent…
- Dallas Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP)
City grant · Businesses in Dallas
A City of Dallas Office of Economic Development funding program for small businesses located in Dallas, offered alongside related city funds.
- Disabled Access Credit
Tax credit · Available nationwide
Federal tax credit (Form 8826) for small businesses that spend money to make their location accessible to people with disabilities.
- Duke Energy Florida Smart $aver Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebates
Utility rebate · Businesses in Florida
Duke Energy Florida's Smart $aver business rebate program covering HVAC/chiller tune-ups, building-envelope upgrades, and high-efficiency equipment installation, paid per ton, per …
- ECIDA Small Business Loans & Tax Incentives
Government loan · Businesses in Erie County
Buffalo/Erie County economic development agency offering working-capital loans plus tax incentives for larger capital expansion projects, along with access to shovel-ready industri…
- Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) Tax Credit
Tax credit · Businesses in Illinois
A state corporate income-tax credit rewarding Illinois businesses for creating or retaining jobs and making capital investment, calculated as a percentage of payroll withholding fo…
- Employee Training Incentive Program (E-TIP)
Training reimbursement · Businesses in New York
Refundable tax credit reimbursing New York employers for a portion of costs to upgrade employee skills, plus a separate credit for paid internships in advanced-technology fields.
- Employer-Provided Childcare Credit
Tax credit · Available nationwide
Federal tax credit (Form 8882) for employers that pay qualified childcare facility or resource-and-referral costs for their employees.
- Employment Training Panel (ETP)
Training reimbursement · Businesses in California
A state program that reimburses California employers for the cost of training current workers to upgrade their skills. The employer designs the training; ETP funds it.
- Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers (EAC) Program
Technical assistance · Businesses in New York
A nearly 40-year-old statewide network of centers providing training, one-on-one counseling, and technical assistance to current and aspiring New York small business owners.
- Excelsior Jobs Program
Tax credit · Businesses in New York
A refundable, performance-based tax credit program rewarding New York businesses in strategic industries for creating jobs and making capital investments.
- Federal Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit
Tax credit · Available nationwide
Federal income tax credit (Form 6765) for qualified research expenses, with a payroll-tax offset option for qualifying small/early-stage businesses.
- FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
Corporate grant · Available nationwide
An annual competitive contest — recent cycles awarded a $50,000 grand prize plus nine $20,000 grants. Confirm the current round on fedex.com before applying.
- FPL Business Energy Efficiency Rebates
Utility rebate · Businesses in Florida
FPL's suite of commercial rebate and incentive programs — HVAC, indoor lighting, Business On Call demand-response bill credits, Commercial Demand Reduction, and a Custom Incentive …
- Houston Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) MBE/WBE/SBE Certification
Certification · Businesses in Houston
City of Houston certification covering Minority Business Enterprises, Women Business Enterprises, Small Business Enterprises, and Persons-with-Disabilities-owned businesses, used t…
- Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network
Technical assistance · Businesses in Illinois
A statewide network of accredited advisors offering free, confidential one-on-one business consulting, planning help, growth strategy, and certification/government-contracting guid…
- Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Hero Program
Corporate grant · Available nationwide
A $20,000 competitive quarterly grant recognizing U.S. small business owners for community impact. Confirm the next quarterly window at quickbooks.intuit.com.
- Jacksonville Small & Emerging Business (JSEB) Certification
Certification · Businesses in Jacksonville
The City of Jacksonville certification for small and emerging businesses, qualifying certified firms for prime-contractor/subcontractor procurement opportunities and a public vendo…
- JEA Business Rebate Program (incl. Electrification Rebates)
Utility rebate · Businesses in Jacksonville
JEA's rebate program for business customers covering electric and water efficiency upgrades, plus an Electrification Rebate Program incentivizing converting diesel/propane equipmen…
- Kiva U.S. 0% Interest Loans
Microloan · Available nationwide
0% interest, no-fee, no-collateral microloans up to $15,000, crowdfunded by individual lenders based on community trust rather than credit score. Requires a PayPal account and recr…
- LiftFund Small Business Loans
CDFI financing · Businesses in Texas
A Texas-based nonprofit CDFI offering SBA and direct small business loans, primarily serving Texas and nearby states — useful coverage for businesses outside California.
- Main Street Capital Loan Fund
Government loan · Businesses in New York
State-backed affordable loan fund for early-stage New York small businesses, offering fixed-rate financing for startup costs, working capital, franchise fees, equipment, and invent…
- Main Street Launch Microloans
CDFI financing · Businesses in California
An Oakland-headquartered CDFI making small-business loans up to $350,000 across California, with a mission of equal-opportunity lending in low-to-moderate income communities.
- Miami-Dade County Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification
Certification · Businesses in Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County's certification program (Goods & Services, Architecture & Engineering, and Construction tracks) qualifying certified small businesses for participation goals and …
- Microfinance Guarantee Program
Government loan · Businesses in Florida
A state program (Fla. Stat. 288.9935) that uses state funds to guarantee a portion of microloans made by participating private lenders to small Florida businesses that cannot secur…
- NASE Growth Grants
Private grant · Available nationwide
A competitive grant of up to $4,000 from the nonprofit NASE, accepted year-round for specific growth needs. Requires an active (paid) NASE membership to apply.
- National Grid Small Business Weatherization / Energy Efficiency Program
Utility rebate · Businesses in New York
Free energy assessment and rebates for National Grid small business customers to weatherize and upgrade facilities in National Grid's upstate/downstate NY service territory.
- Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF)
City grant · Businesses in Chicago
A City of Chicago capital grant program reimbursing small businesses and cultural organizations for renovating or building out commercial space on West, Southwest, and South Side c…
- Nicor Gas Business Energy Efficiency Rebates
Utility rebate · Businesses in Illinois
Nicor Gas's commercial rebate program pays businesses for installing high-efficiency natural-gas equipment such as furnaces, boilers, water heaters, and commercial food-service equ…
- NMSDC Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certification
Certification · Available nationwide
Nationally recognized certification for minority-owned businesses, connecting them to major corporations' supplier-diversity procurement. Generally requires 51%+ minority ownership…
- NYC Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Certification
Certification · Businesses in New York City, New York, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island
New York City's own certification identifying a business as minority- and/or women-owned to make city agencies aware of it as a potential contracting/procurement partner.
- NYS Loan Guarantee Program
Government loan · Businesses in New York
A $50 million state program guaranteeing a portion of eligible bank loans to help New York small businesses secure financing they might not otherwise qualify for.
- NYS Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Certification
Certification · Businesses in New York
State certification under NYS Article 15-A identifying a business as minority- and/or women-owned, giving it visibility and priority access to New York State government contracting…
- NYSERDA Small Business Energy Programs (Financing & Energy Studies)
Utility rebate · Businesses in New York
State energy authority program offering low-interest financing for small business energy-efficiency projects plus cost-share funding for professional energy studies, alongside refe…
- Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) Certification — MBE/WBE/VBE
Certification · Businesses in Florida
The State of Florida's official certification for minority-, woman-, and veteran-owned businesses, used to qualify firms for state agency outreach, set-aside opportunities, and div…
- Oncor Commercial Standard Offer Program (Business Energy Efficiency)
Utility rebate · Businesses in Texas
A utility incentive program paying cash incentives to enrolled service providers who install Oncor-approved energy-efficiency measures at non-residential customer sites in the Dall…
- Pacific Community Ventures Loans
CDFI financing · Businesses in California
A California nonprofit CDFI offering affordable small business loans focused on low-to-moderate-income communities, plus specialized climate-resilience and LA fire-recovery funds.
- PeopleFund Small Business Loans
CDFI financing · Businesses in Texas
A Texas nonprofit CDFI offering small-business loans — including SBA 504, fast Flash Funds loans, and disaster-relief loans — plus dedicated financing tracks for veteran, military-…
- Peoples Gas Business Energy Efficiency Rebates
Utility rebate · Businesses in Chicago
Peoples Gas's commercial rebate program reimburses businesses for installing new, commercial-grade, energy-efficient natural-gas appliances, for commercial customers within the Peo…
- PG&E Business Energy Efficiency Rebates
Utility rebate · Businesses in pge
Rebates for PG&E commercial customers who install qualifying energy-efficient equipment (LED lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, and more), paid after purchase. Rebate amounts vary by p…
- Prospera Business Advising & Access-to-Capital Services
Technical assistance · Businesses in Florida
A nonprofit providing free/low-cost business consulting, credit improvement, and loan-application preparation to entrepreneurs, then making introductions to lenders for SBA, conven…
- Pursuit Small Business Loans (SBA Microloan, SmartLoans, SBA 504/7(a))
CDFI financing · Businesses in New York
70+ year old New York-headquartered nonprofit lender and SBA Preferred Lender offering SBA microloans, SmartLoans, and SBA 504/7(a) financing for working capital, equipment, real e…
- Renaissance Economic Development Corporation Small Business Loans
CDFI financing · Businesses in New York County, Kings County, Queens County, Bronx County, Richmond County, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County, Putnam County, Dutchess County, Orange County, Rockland County, Sullivan County and Ulster County
U.S. Treasury-certified CDFI providing affordable loan capital and multilingual business advisory/training services to under-resourced entrepreneurs in NYC, Long Island, and the Mi…
- San Antonio SBEDA Emerging/Small Business Enterprise (E/SBE) Certification
Certification · Businesses in San Antonio
Under San Antonio's SBEDA Ordinance, locally headquartered firms can certify as an Emerging and/or Small Business Enterprise through Supply SA, giving them a competitive advantage …
- San Francisco Legacy Business Program
City grant · Businesses in San Francisco
Annual grants and support for longstanding San Francisco businesses (30+ years in operation) that contribute to neighborhood history and identity. A narrow-eligibility program — no…
- SBA 504 Loan Program
Government loan · Available nationwide
Long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets — commercial real estate, construction, or heavy equipment. Not for working capital or inventory, so it is a better fit for b…
- SBA 7(a) Loan Program
Government loan · Available nationwide
SBA's flagship guaranteed loan (up to $5M) through participating lenders — for working capital, equipment, real estate, or refinancing.
- SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
Certification · Available nationwide
A 9-year certification giving socially and economically disadvantaged-owned small businesses access to set-aside federal contracts, mentorship, and training. Requires 2+ years in b…
- SBA Boots to Business
Technical assistance · Available nationwide
Free entrepreneurship training for transitioning service members and military spouses through the DoD Transition Assistance Program.
- SBA HUBZone Certification
Certification · Available nationwide
Certification for small businesses located in a Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) that unlocks set-aside federal contracts and a price preference.
- SBA Mentor-Protégé Program
Technical assistance · Available nationwide
Pairs small businesses with experienced government contractors for developmental help and joint-venture contracting opportunities. Best suited to firms pursuing federal contracts.
- SBA Microloan Program
Microloan · Available nationwide
Small, short-term loans (avg ~$13,000, up to $50,000) for working capital, inventory, supplies, furniture, or equipment — made through SBA-approved nonprofit intermediary lenders. …
- SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program
Government loan · Available nationwide
SBA guarantees surety bonds so small businesses can win contracts requiring bonding — most relevant to construction and contracting businesses.
- SBIR / STTR (America's Seed Fund)
Research funding · Available nationwide
Non-dilutive federal R&D funding for small businesses developing innovative technology, awarded competitively by agency solicitations.
- SCE Business Energy Efficiency & Incentives
Utility rebate · Businesses in sce
Energy-efficiency incentives, financing, and demand-response payments for Southern California Edison business customers.
- SDG&E Business Rebates & Incentives
Utility rebate · Businesses in sdge
Lighting and equipment rebates and efficiency incentives for San Diego Gas & Electric commercial customers.
- Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF)
City grant · Businesses in Chicago
A City of Chicago matching-grant program reimbursing commercial and industrial property owners or tenants for permanent building improvements and repairs, funded through TIF distri…
- Tampa Electric (TECO) Custom Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Utility rebate · Businesses in Tampa
A commercial/industrial rebate program paying incentives for peak-demand-reduction measures for Tampa Electric customers, capped so the project's simple payback stays under 2 years…
- Texas Enterprise Zone Program
Tax credit · Businesses in Texas
A state sales-and-use-tax refund program that rewards Texas businesses for capital investment and job creation in a community that formally nominates the project as an 'Enterprise …
- Texas Skills Development Fund
Training reimbursement · Businesses in Texas
A state grant program that funds customized job-skills training for new or existing employees, delivered through a partnership between the employer and a Texas public community/tec…
- Texas Small Business Credit Initiative (TSBCI)
Government loan · Businesses in Texas
A state-administered capital-access program using loan guarantees, loan participations, and loss-reserve matching to make participating Texas banks and CDFIs more willing to lend t…
- The UPS Store Small Biz Challenge
Corporate grant · Available nationwide
An annual competitive pitch contest — $25,000 grand prize plus runner-up prizes and national media exposure. For U.S. small businesses with fewer than 9 employees. Confirm the next…
- TMC Community Capital Loans
CDFI financing · Businesses in San Francisco County, Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Marin County, Napa County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Solano County, Sonoma County and Los Angeles County
A CDFI providing capital and support to small businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Los Angeles region.
- TruFund Small Business Loans
CDFI financing · Businesses in New York
501(c)(3) nonprofit CDFI serving New York small businesses with a general small business loan, a micro-lending program, SBA Community Advantage loans, contractor mobilization loans…
- U.S. Commercial Service (Export Assistance)
Export assistance · Available nationwide
Free export counseling, market research, and overseas buyer connections for U.S. businesses looking to sell internationally.
- Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grants
Corporate grant · Available nationwide
A $10,000 competitive grant tied to Verizon's free Small Business Digital Ready learning platform — complete two eligible courses to apply. Grants awarded monthly through 2026.
- Veteran-Owned Small Business Certification (VetCert)
Certification · Available nationwide
Federal certification for veteran- and service-disabled-veteran-owned small businesses, unlocking set-aside and sole-source federal contracts.
- Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)
Free consulting · Available nationwide
Free business training and counseling for transitioning service members, veterans, Guard/Reserve members, and military spouses.
- VetHUB Certification (Veteran Heroes United in Business)
Certification · Businesses in Texas
A free state certification for Texas-based, service-disabled-veteran-owned businesses that increases visibility to state agencies and prime contractors for direct-purchase and subc…
- Visa She's Next Grant Program
Corporate grant · Available nationwide
A $10,000 competitive grant plus mentorship for women-owned U.S. small businesses. Runs in periodic cycles — confirm the current window on ifundwomen.com/visa.
- WBENC Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification
Certification · Available nationwide
Nationally recognized certification for women-owned businesses that unlocks corporate and government supplier-diversity contracts. Requires 51%+ women ownership and control.
- Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Certification
Certification · Available nationwide
Federal certification letting women-owned small businesses compete for contracts set aside for WOSBs/EDWOSBs. Requires 51%+ ownership and control by women.
- Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
Tax credit · Available nationwide
A federal income tax credit (generally up to $2,400 per eligible hire, more for certain veterans) for employers who hire people from groups that face employment barriers. Form 8850…
- Working Solutions CDFI Microloans
CDFI financing · Businesses in California
A Bay Area nonprofit CDFI offering $5,000–$100,000 microloans plus free business consulting, including to newer or pre-revenue businesses — no minimum credit score, revenue, or col…
FundBridge Navigator LLC is independent and privately operated, not a government agency — every program listed here links to its official source.