Small-business funding in Federal (nationwide)

31 verified programs that small businesses in Federal (nationwide) may be able to use, including grants, rebates, tax credits and loans. Each links to its official source. Criteria change — confirm current details before applying.

• 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…

• 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 …

• 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…

• 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…

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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…

• 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.

• 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…

• 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.

• 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…

• 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.

• 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…

FundBridge Navigator LLC is independent and privately operated, not a government agency — every program listed here links to its official source.