African American Entrepreneurs: Unlocking Business Grant Opportunities in the USA

To bridge the funding gap, numerous grants have been developed to offer specialized assistance to African American female and male entrepreneurs. These grants are designed to combat racial disparities and offer vital financial backing. Explore some of the available grants for African American entrepreneurs below:

Grants Closing Soon:

1. Fearless Strivers Grant Contest

- Grant Amount: $20,000

- Eligibility: Businesses earning under $3 million annually

- Application Status: [https://www.bankrate.com/loans/small-business/grants-for-black-women/#fearless-strivers-grant-contest]

- Deadline: Application temporarily blocked due to legal challenges. Check for updates.

2. StartHER Grant

- Grant Amount: $5,000

- Eligibility: Texas-based women business owners

- Application Details: [https://twu.edu/women-entrepreneurs/start-her-entrepreneurial-training/]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

3. Black Girl Ventures

- Grant Amount: $10,000 (1st place), $6,000 (2nd place), $2,000 (3rd place)

- Eligibility: Entrepreneurs in designated cities

- Application Details: [https://www.blackgirlventures.org/pitch-2023]

- Deadline: Varies by location, check the provided link.

Open Grants for Black Women:

4. HerRise Micro-Grant

- Grant Amount: $500

- Eligibility: Women of color business owners

- Application Details: [https://www.hersuitespot.com/her-rise-microgrant/]

- Deadline: Ongoing

5. Small Business Growth Fund

- Grant Amount: $5,000 to $25,000

- Eligibility: For-profit businesses with specific criteria

- Application Details: [https://www.helloalice.com/coronavirus-support/small-business-relief-grant/]

- Deadline: Ongoing

6. Wish Local Empowerment Program Grant

- Grant Amount: $500 to $2,000

- Eligibility: U.S. brick-and-mortar shops with specific criteria

- Application Details: [https://www.wishlocal.com/empowerment-program]

- Deadline: Ongoing

7. Founders First Job Creators Quest Grant

- Grant Amount: Share of $100,000

- Eligibility: Entrepreneurs in specific locations and categories

- Application Details: [https://www.foundersfirstcdc.org/]

- Deadline: Ongoing

8. Amber Grant

- Grant Amount: $10,000 (monthly) and $25,000 (yearly)

- Eligibility: Women-owned businesses

- Application Details: [https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/]

- Deadline: Ongoing

More Grants for Black Women:

9. Publish Her Business Impact Grant

- Grant Amount: $5,000

- Eligibility: Woman-owned businesses making a difference

- Application Details: [https://www.publishherbusiness.com/publish-her-business-impact-grant]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

10. The Coalition to Back Black Businesses Grant

- Grant Amount: $25,000

- Eligibility: Black-owned businesses with 3 to 20 employees

- Application Details: [https://www.coalitiontobackblackbusinesses.com/]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

11. BREAKTHROUGH Grant

- Grant Amount: $5,000

- Eligibility: Black and Latina women founders in New York

- Application Details: [https://www.digitalundivided.com/breakthrough]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

12. Fast Break Small Business Grant

- Grant Amount: $10,000 and product/service support

- Eligibility: Black-owned small businesses

- Application Details: [https://www.fastbreakgrant.com/]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

13. The Catalyst Fund Grant

- Grant Amount: $5,000

- Eligibility: Black entrepreneurs in specific cities

- Application Details: [https://www.helloalice.com/catalyst-fund]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

14. Corporate Counsel Women of Color Entrepreneur Grant

- Grant Amount: $5,000

- Eligibility: Women of color business owners

- Application Details: [https://www.ccwomenofcolor.org/programs]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

15. Build Your Legacy Grant

- Grant Amount: $100,000

- Eligibility: Black woman entrepreneur

- Application Details: [https://www.essence.com/business/pine-sol-gives-back/]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

16. Invest in Progress Grant

- Grant Amount: $10,000

- Eligibility: Business owners across the country

- Application Details: [https://www.bossbusinessuniversity.com/grants]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

17. Power Forward Small Business Grant

- Grant Amount: $25,000 and marketing resources

- Eligibility: Black-owned small businesses in New England

- Application Details: [https://powerforward.vistaprint.com/]

- Deadline: Varies, Certainly, check the provided link.

18. Galaxy Grant

- Grant Amount: $3,750

- Eligibility: Minority and/or woman-owned small businesses

- Application Details: [https://hiddenstar.org/galaxygrant/]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

19. Comcast RISE

- Grant Amount: $5,000

- Eligibility: Small businesses impacted by COVID-19

- Application Details: [https://www.comcastrise.com/]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

20. Beyond Open Small Business Grant Program

- Grant Amount: Over $15 million

- Eligibility: Diverse-owned small businesses

- Application Details: [https://www.fftc.org/Beyond-Open-Small-Business-Grant-Program]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

21. FedEx Small Business Grant

- Grant Amount: Varies annually

- Eligibility: For-profit businesses with specific criteria

- Application Details: [https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/grant-contest.html]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

22. SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant

- Grant Amount: $5,000 to $10,000

- Eligibility: U.S.-based Black women and nonbinary entrepreneurs

- Application Details: [https://www.iamsogal.com/black-founder-startup-grant]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

23. Backing the B.A.R. Grant

- Grant Amount: $10,000

- Eligibility: Businesses in the sales, hospitality, and beverage alcohol service industries

- Application Details: [https://www.barcoalition.com/grants]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

24. Lift As We Climb Grant

- Grant Amount: $25,000

- Eligibility: Black female entrepreneurs with specific businesses

- Application Details: [https://www.flawlesshair.com/pages/lift-as-we-climb-grant]

- Deadline: Varies, check the provided link.

Additional Resources:

While grants are competitive, other resources can support Black women entrepreneurs:

- (https://www.grants.gov/)

- [Minority Business Development Agency](https://www.mbda.gov/)

- [Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator (BBA) Program](https://www.amazon.com/bba)

- Community development financial institutions (CFDIs)

- Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs)

- U.S. Small Business Administration

- U.S. Chambers of Commerce

Alternatives to Grants:

If you don't secure a grant, consider these alternatives for financing your business:

- Small business loans

- Special purpose credit programs

- Business line of credit

- Business credit card

- Crowdfunding

Grants for entrepreneurs play a crucial role in bridging the funding gap, enabling them to grow and succeed in their businesses. Explore these opportunities, and if grants aren't accessible, consider alternative financing options to make your entrepreneurial dreams a reality. Remember, support and resources are available for African Americans in business, helping pave the way for a brighter entrepreneurial future.