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Black Business Grants & Minority Resources

Last updated: 2/22/23

Group of black women with laptop computers at a conference table.
Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

About this BIPOC Business Grant 
The catalyst for our grants was seeing and hearing about the tremendous impact of COVID-19 on entrepreneurs who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color. We want to dedicate some of our knowledge and time to help.  While this is a business website, we are trying to help other business owners with our grant program. In support of this goal, we have disabled our normal calls to action/contact forms on grant pages and replaced our normal header images. We do not want your money. We want to help you make more money.

Best,
/jovan

Jovan Johnson has worked to optimize websites for large companies such as Shutterfly, Uber, and Stitch Fix. He has worked on not fewer than 220 websites in +50 business and service verticals in 5 countries. LinkedIn.

Small Business Marketing Grant

Do Google, Bing, and DuckDuckgo deliver free traffic to your website?

Driving organic traffic from search engines can be a meaningful way to support or grow your business because it can consistently deliver people interested in your products or services to your website…for free. We will help. This program aims to support Black-owned and minority-owned businesses by providing free SEO evaluations, advice, and planning.

There is currently no cap on the number of possible marketing grant recipients per month. Grantees will be selected on a rolling basis. There is no application deadline.

Update: Unfortunately there is no longer a cash component of this grant. Fortunately I have found a way to support more businesses with marketing support more quickly.

SEO Program Prerequisites

You:

  • have a live website–unfortunately social media accounts do not count
  • are open to feedback and recommendations.
  • can access to your website editor or CMS to make site revisions. You’ll need to make the changes to your site.
  • have a Google account: you’ll request assistance via a Google Form.
  • you have a verified Google Search Console (GSC) for your website. This will provide performance information to help create a plan and it will allow for tracking from the time changes are published. Watch this Youtube video for help setting  up GSC.
    • Why Google Search Console (GSC)?
      GSC is a free diagnostic tool through which you can find out whether your pages are included in Google’s index, how they’re performing, and whether your site has errors.

Program Recommendation

  • IF you don’t already have both Google Analytics installed on your site, please do so.
    • Why Google Analytics (GA)?
      GA is a free tool that provides details regarding user behavior across your website. It allows you to review things ranging from the source of your traffic by category (e.g. search engine, social media platform, or referral site) to which pages receive the most traffic to the cities where your visitors are searching.

SEO Program Terms and Conditions:

  • Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee an increase in your website traffic, orders, or sales. We cannot guarantee any outcome. 
  • We reserve the right to modify or discontinue this program at any time at our sole discretion.
  • Unfortunately, due to limited resources, we will not be able to assist everyone who applies.
  • Accordingly, we reserve the right to select the recipients of these services at our sole discretion.
  • We will NOT use your information to (try to) sell you anything.
  • We will NOT use your contact information to add you to a mailing list.
  • We will NOT share your information with any other entity.

***Apply for Grant***

Please complete this Google Form.

Application Deadline: Rolling for marketing consideration.
Winner: Marketing grant winner will be chosen based on whether and how much we think we can help.
Fee: No. Never.
Costs: None. Like none.

**Have a question about this grant?**

Email hello  [ at ]   @   annuityfreedom   [ dot]    net

BIPOC Grant Winner | Mar 2021
Screenshot showing women's intimate clothing categories offered by DÔNTLƏS COUTURE, as well as pictures of two women modeling night time clothes and two flowers.

The ladies behind DÔNTLƏS COUTURE provide nighttime clothing for women of all ages and  sizes. Have a look at dontlescouture.com.

BIPOC Grant Winner | Feb 2021Title for the Empty Space Project on top of an video of an artist in a warehouse painting on a canvas.

The team at Empty Space Project aims to leverage unused and underused property to provide space for artists to collaborate and create. Learn more at emptyspaceproject.com

2. Black Business Grants

GRANTS.gov
Search results page with grant opportunities for Black people.

The Grants.gov program management office was established in 2002, as a part of the President’s Management Agenda. Managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, Grants.gov is an E-Government initiative operating under the governance of the Office of Management and Budget. Today, the Grants.gov system houses information on over 1,000 grant programs and vets grant applications for federal grant-making agencies.

NAACP Grants
An overview of black business data as well as a list of grants provided by the NAACP.

The NAACP shares a list of grants for black entrepreneurs that they provide or provide in partnership with other organizations.

SoGal Grant
Screenshot of Black Founder Startup Grant.

SoGal Foundation has teamed up with Winky Lux, bluemercury, twelveNYC, Twilio, Walmart.org’s Center for Racial Equity and other sponsors to make a small step towards progress by providing several $10K and $5K cash grants to Black women or nonbinary entrepreneurs.

Applications are rolling.

Comcast Rise
Photograph of black entrepreneur and overview of grant program, along with deadline for grant applications.

Over its two-year term, Comcast RISE provided more than $110 million in monetary and marketing, and technology service grants to 13,000 entrepreneurs. Comcast will be continuing its efforts to positively impact small businesses in 2023. Its offerings will include complimentary marketing, technology, financial grants, business consulting, entrepreneurship training and other services. Additional details about the program in 2023 will be forthcoming.

Coalition To Back Black Businesses Fund
Photo of black entrepreneur looking outside of her store. Overview of Coalition to Back Black Businesses grant.

The Coalition to Back Black Businesses is a multi-year grantmaking and training initiative to help support Black-owned small businesses as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and chart a path forward. The initiative launched in Fall 2020 and provides grants to qualifying Black-owned small businesses through 2023.

California Small Business Grants
Heading, followed by application dates and deadlines for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.

No updates for new grants.

Rural Relief Small Business Grants
Image of hair stylist with client and overview of rural relief small business grants.

Application period is now closed.

Gather Food Sovereignty Grant
Overview of Food Sovereignty Grant program header banner and background.

This opportunity targets emerging projects that focus on developing Tribal Food Sovereignty. In this round of the Gather Food Sovereignty Grant, First Nations expects to award up to seven grants averaging $32,000 to support Native American-led food sovereignty work.

Application Deadline: February 26, 2023

Covid-19 and Social Unrest Impact Grant
Restaurateur smiling in front of her restaurant.

Fiserv is giving back to help small businesses get Back2Business with a program focused on helping to jump-start Black- or minority-owned small businesses in hard-hit communities. The Fiserv Back2Business New Jersey 2022 grant application is now closed. But Fiserv plans to continue the partnership with AEO to provide more business owners with funding and small business consulting.

Open for Business Fund
Image of entrepreneur looking outside of his restaurant and an introduction to Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund to help small business during Covid 19.

No updates for new grants.

Georgia Pacific Foundation Grants
Image of volunteers for the Georgia Pacific Foundation Service Force interacting with community members. Beneath that is an overview of the foundation.

The Georgia-Pacific Foundation uses its Four Focus Areas (Four E’s): Education, Environment, Enrichment of Community and Entrepreneurship as guideposts for giving, both in terms of grants provided to nonprofit organizations and in decision-making around employee participation in company-sponsored volunteer programs.

Charitable contribution requests are reviewed on a rolling cycle throughout the calendar year. Due to limited funding at year-end, submission by October 31 is encouraged.

FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
Header image of female entrepreneur shipping a package at FedEx. Overview of the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest.

The FedEx Small Business Grant Contest is a grant program by FedEx to award U.S. based small businesses with grants to help them grow and scale their business. The contest has awarded many minority- and women-owned businesses since its launch.

Application Deadline: February 21, 2023, 12pm ET.

Jewelry Artist Grant
Summary of the Halstead Grant for silver jewelry artists.

The Halstead Grant is an annual award for emerging silver jewelry artists. The experience is designed to help jewelry entrepreneurs create a strategy to kick-start their careers. The grand prize is a $7,500 cash grant plus other benefits.

Application Deadline: May 1, 2023

NIH Grants
Overviews of the Small Business Innovation Research grant and Small Business Technology Transfer program.

National Institutes of Health provides grants for domestic small businesses to engage in biomedical Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization.

3. Minority Women Business Grants

First Women Grant Program
Introduction to the Jane Walker-IFUNDWOMEN First Women Grant Program.

As part of the First Women campaign, Jane Walker and IFundWomen have teamed up to fund a total of 30 groundbreaking women-owned businesses through the end of the year. Businesses will be selected across the Entertainment & Film, Music, Sports, STEM, Journalism and Hospitality industries to receive a $10K grant plus a one-year Annual Coaching Membership on IFundWomen.

Applications are now closed.

Asian Women Giving Circle
Photo of a what appears to be members of the AWGC, Asian Women Giving Circle, gathered in front of a few pieces of art.

The AWGC provides minority small business grants to Asian American women-led organizations and individual artists in NYC who are using arts and culture to bring about progressive social transformation, raising awareness and action around issues that affect Asian American women, girls, and families. Each grant is $8,000. They anticipate making 8-10 grants total, depending on how much they raise for our annual pot.

Application Deadline: February 24, 2023

4. Location Based Grants

At Your Side Small Business Grant
Header for At Your Side grant program.

.
Award: up to $5k-10k
Location: must be located in an Accredited or Affiliate Main Street America community or UrbanMain commercial corridor. Map available at website.
Grant Deadline: Thursday, January 28 at 7:59pm EST/ 6:59pm CST

Miami-Dade Mom & Pop Grant Program
Overview of Miami-Dade Mo & Pop Small Business Grant Program and image of District 4 Commission Sally Hey.

Small owned and operated businesses in Districts 1, 4 ,7 and 12 can apply to receive Mom and Pop Small Business Grant funds. The money can be used to buy equipment, supplies and inventory or go toward advertising/marketing, building liability insurance, security systems or to make minor renovations.

Application Deadline: February 15, 2023

5. Government Contracts for Minority Owned Businesses

8(a) Business Development program

The US government dedicates at least 5% of federal contracting dollars to socially disadvantaged people and entities.

A partial list of qualifications:

  • at least 51 percent owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are economically and socially disadvantaged
  • Be owned by someone whose personal net worth is $750,000 or less
  • Be owned by someone whose average adjusted gross income for three years is $350,000 or less
  • Have all its principals demonstrate good character
  • Show potential for success and be able to perform successfully on contracts

6. Minority Business Funding

Backstage Capital
Overview of Backstage Capital funding program for under-represented business founders.

Investment firm focused on providing business funding for founders who identify as a Woman, Person of Color, LGBTQ+, and other underestimated groups.
Deadline: Rolling

Collab Capital
Overview of funding program for Black business owners.

Collab Capital is an investment fund leveraging financial, human, and social capital to help Black founders with early-stage startups by providing investment capital and connecting them to corporate and/or social influencers.

Founders First
Header image of two people looking at a laptop computer and an overview of the Founders First accelerator program.

Founders First Capital Partners Accelerator Programs guide minority small business owners through the process of achieving accelerated growth through curriculum, hands-on assignments, and expert coaching, as well as opportunities to compete for cash and service prizes.
Required Revenue: $50k-250k; $250k+; $1m-5m
Prize: $5k; 7.5k
Application Fee Required!: $500; $1k-2k

7. Loans for Black Business Owners

Jewish Free Loan Association
Overview of interest free business loans provided by JFLA.

Interest free loans of up to $6k for gig workers, up to $6k for green technology, and up to $36k for to create or expand small businesses. Program relies on guarantors instead of collateral to secure your loan.
You must live LA or Ventura county in California.

Accion
Screenshot of page header, with black man who owns a shop that sells rugs, and a heading "Loans for Every Business.

Accion is a nonprofit lending network providing small business loans as low as $300. Accion issues loans to businesses that are African-American-owned, Hispanic-owned, Asian-owned, Native American-owned, and Other minority-owned.

8. Mentor Programs for Black Entrepreneurs

digitalundivided
Screenshots and short descriptions of three programs provided by digitalundivided

Training, business incubator, and coaching program for Black and LatinX women.

SCORE
Overview of process for finding a mentor through SCORE.

Partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE provides free mentorship services through its network of more than 10,000 volunteer business experts. Do you have a business question? Go ahead and apply.

9. Black Business Directories

Black Owned Everything
Fields to sign up for inclusion in the Black Owned Everything business directory.

Upcoming directory of black owned businesses. Created by Zerina Akers.

10. Business Education

QuickFrame
YouTube Marketing Guide header and image of social networks.

A guide to all things YouTube, from video specs and ad placements to storytelling and calls to action.

Tory Burch Foundation
Business education webinar video embeds.

Small business webinar recordings on topics ranging from email marketing and website creation to financial fitness.

Small-business Empowerment Program
Background of Small Business Development program.

Offering small-business workshops and a more intensive entrepreneurial training program, HOPE helps participants master business basics, create and maintain a strong small business plan, as well as gain access to funding and resources to grow their business.

Disclaimer: We do not control any resource or policies listed on 3rd party sites. We are unable to make any assurances about them. We provide these resource in case the information is relevant or helpful for anyone who visits this page. Inclusion of this information is not a recommendation for any program or advice to leverage that program. Please exercise sound judgment.