Securing grants can be a game-changer for small businesses and entrepreneurs, but finding the right funding opportunities can often be challenging, particularly if you are looking for minority or Black-owned business grants. Grant websites, as well as grant databases, can simplify the process by offering the resources needed to find and apply for a grant.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a startup or a small business, these platforms can help to connect you with various grant opportunities. Furthermore, these tools offer an efficient approach for businesses to secure the support needed in order to grow and thrive. Below, I highlight some of the best grant sites for businesses.
Top Sites To Find Business Grants
As a business owner, it can be daunting to know where to find grants. However, by identifying your needs and utilizing databases and grant websites, this process can be streamlined. These resources consolidate the grant websites and necessary information in one place and allow users to find the grants to meet their specific needs.
One important thing to keep in mind is that the benefits of grant resources, like databases and websites, go beyond saving time and consolidating information. They also provide guidance on the eligibility requirements, application deadlines, best practices and advice to help boost their chances of success. As long as the business owner meets the eligibility requirements, they can apply to multiple grants simultaneously, which naturally increases opportunity and helps to minimize the risk of rejection. These resources have the potential to empower small businesses to secure the financial support they need for success. If I were a new startup looking for sites to help my small business grow, below are some key sites I would want to know about.
1. SecretSOS.net
This website offers small business owners instruction, mentorship and financial support. Featuring a grant database, step-by-step guidance, expert access and a supportive community, SecretSOS provides grants targeted to business growth and development. While the site itself is free to use, some of its services require payment.
Its grants are designed to help small business owners overcome challenges associated with starting up, as well as help them accelerate their success. SecretSOS can also benefit entrepreneurs who are wanting to elevate their operations and growth. Overall, business leaders who are committed to leading with integrity and inspiring innovation–regardless of which business stage they are in–can benefit from this site’s resources. Applications for 2025 grants are open now and can be found on their grant information page.
2. Patagonia.com
Patagonia offers corporate grants by invitation only. So, while organization leaders cannot apply directly, they can refer to Patagonia’s funding guidelines to learn more about what could make them eligible grant recipients. Patagonia seeks organizations focused on community involvement with initiatives like climate action, land conservation and biodiversity.
The site also offers the opportunity for users to recommend an organization they think would be a good fit to receive a grant. Candidates who focus on sustainability, renewable energy, improving pollution and protecting public land could see a bigger chance of being invited to receive a grant. A big benefit for nonprofits who receive funding is that they can indirectly impact small businesses in industries like outdoor recreation and environmental advocacy, simply through collaborations or partnerships. This grant program is a reliable resource for environmental organizations who are mission-driven to execute impactful projects.
3. FreedFellowship.com
The Freed Fellowship Grant website provides grants and mentorship opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses needing funding. Small business owners can apply directly to receive a $2500 small business grant. What’s more is the Freed Studio, the site’s internal service offered to its grant applicants, automatically provides them with two free months of mentoring.
On a monthly basis, the Freed Fellowship also picks one U.S. business owner to give $500 to, and does so without requiring equity. While the site itself is free to use, there is a $19 grant application fee, as well as paid features users can take advantage of. These include podcast opportunities, access to sessions with business experts, membership and more. Site users can find key information on the FAQ section (located at the bottom of the page) about the Freed Fellowship, grant eligibility requirements, benefits for grant recipients, application deadlines and more. The Freed Fellowship benefits small business owners and entrepreneurs. However, since they do not support nonprofits, they advise nonprofits to avoid applying for a grant.
4. EllievatedAcademy.com
The Ellievated Academy is a website owned by Ellie Diop, a business coach dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed in growing their business. The website offers access to educational resources and grants for business startups. While this site is free to use, it does offer several paid services, including a masterclass to apply for grants.
Other paid opportunities include various courses, competitive challenges, workshops, a membership-based club and more. While grants are something offered through this website, the site is ultimately a comprehensive business coaching resource. Uniquely, information for grants affiliated with Ellie’s business is not solely limited to her website; Ellie is also a well known social media influencer who goes by the username “Ellie Talks Money.” She takes advantage of other platforms such as Youtube, Instagram and Threads to post updates and important announcements like the Pitch Perfect Grant, for instance. Though Ellie highlights the need for helping women entrepreneurs, the Ellievated Academy website can benefit anyone in the entrepreneurship and business startup community looking to scale their business and create wealth.
5. StartPivotGrow.com
The Start Pivot Grow website provides information about multipurpose microgrants for small business owners in the startup stages. Found under the site’s Business Funding Tools is the grants page, where users can easily find details and requirements to apply for the quarterly $2,500 Start.Pivot.Grow micro grant.
It’s free to use this site as well as apply for a grant. This site’s grant offers funding for multiple types of business needs, like inventory, software, marketing, brick-and-mortar expenses and more. Start Pivot Grow’s site features paid learning opportunities such as courses, books, webinars, loan applications and more. When it comes to applying for the grant, only U.S.-based businesses in operation for at least two years, making at least $50,000 in annual revenue and having one to two employees (including the owner) are eligible. With so many collective resources available on this website, any small business owner can benefit from all it has to offer.
6. NASE.org
The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth grants website provides information about funding opportunities for assisting small business owners with expanding their operations. This website is part of the NASE member benefits program, and it offers the information and tools needed for helping grant applicants create strong applications.
Users can also maximize the site’s mentorship opportunities, business development tools and educational resources. The website provides users with detailed information on the grant opportunities it offers with its comprehensive Growth Grants page. NASE Growth Grants prioritizes helping small businesses and self-employed individuals by providing financial assistance with specific needs. These might include things like purchasing equipment, growing your team or even new product launches. Even though NASE’s website is free to use, only NASE members can apply for a grant, which would require you to first pay a membership fee. Grants found on NASE’s website benefit solopreneurs and small businesses–in nearly every industry–looking to invest in their next chapter of growth. in many industries, whether retail, services or trades.
Bottom Line
In my experience as a business owner, exploring business grant websites is a smart way to find the right funding opportunities for your business needs. Whether you take advantage of a grant database or a specific grant website, they should share the common denominator of simplifying the research and optimizing the application process.
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