Grants for small businesses
Most grant tools are built for 501(c)(3)s and quietly waste a business owner's time. Private foundations are the wrong door for you — here is the right one.
See what you can win — free, no accountWhat is open to you, and what is not
| Funding route | Status | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Federal & state grants | Conditional | Plenty of federal programs fund small businesses outright, and SBIR/STTR exists specifically for them. SAM.gov is the federal government's contractor and grantee register. Every federal grant applicant needs an active registration and a UEI number. It is free. If you have never heard of it, you almost certainly do not have one yet — check before you write anything. |
| Private foundation grants | Closed | Private foundations grant to charities. Funding a for-profit takes an expenditure-responsibility arrangement most will not undertake, so this is not a near miss — it is the wrong door. Corporate programs are the right one. |
| Corporate & small-business grants | Open | This is the strongest channel for a small business, and the one most often overlooked in favour of federal money. |
| Awards open to individuals | Conditional | If you are a sole proprietor, you can often apply as an individual. |
General rules with real exceptions. Always check the funder's own eligibility text before you commit time to an application.
Grants we track for small businesses
Global Innovation Fund
Funds innovations that improve life for people living on under $5 a day, anywhere in the world. Takes nonprofits and for-profits alike.
Funder page →Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation
Unusually open: funds independent nonprofits AND mission-driven for-profits (C corps, B corps) and fiscally sponsored organizations. Looks for 3-5 years old, already in market, with early evidence of impact.
Funder page →Amber Grant for Women
Three $10,000 grants awarded every month; three $50,000 year-end grants drawn from monthly winners. $15 application fee.
Funder page →IFundWomen Universal Grant Program
One application pools you into every partner grant IFundWomen administers.
Funder page →Awesome Foundation Micro-Grant
No-strings $1,000 for a community project; local chapters, monthly.
Funder page →Warrior Rising
Non-dilutive awards for veteran-owned businesses; complete Warrior Rising's training to compete.
Funder page →The Pollination Project
Seed grants for individuals and early-stage grassroots changemakers.
Funder page →National Geographic Society Grants
For projects in conservation, science, education, technology, and storytelling.
Funder page →Roddenberry Foundation Catalyst Fund
Small, fast grants for early-stage bold ideas with social impact.
Funder page →How the scoring works
Every grant is scored against who has actually won that exact program before — pulled from federal award records and IRS filings — and whether those winners look anything like you. Not a keyword match, and not a polite percentage.
Score your first grant free