Grants & Alternative Funding
Grants & Alternative Funding
Business grants are free money you do not repay. That makes them extremely competitive. They are real but not a reliable primary funding strategy for most businesses.
Small Business Grant Sources
State and local grants. Many state economic development agencies offer grants for businesses that create jobs or operate in target industries. Check your state’s small business development center.
Corporate grants. FedEx, Visa, Comcast, and others run annual small business grant competitions. Awards typically range from $5,000 to $50,000.
Minority and women-owned business grants. The NWBC, MBDA, and numerous private foundations offer targeted grant programs.
Alternative Funding Options
Crowdfunding. Platforms like Kickstarter let you pre-sell products or raise funds publicly. Works best for product businesses with a compelling story.
Revenue-based financing. Lenders advance capital in exchange for a percentage of future revenue until repaid. No fixed monthly payment.
Grants.gov
The official federal grant database — free to search
- All federal grant opportunities
- Free to use
- Email alerts for new grants
- Application tracking
Kickstarter
The world’s largest rewards-based crowdfunding platform
- All-or-nothing funding model
- Global backer community
- No fee if campaign fails
- Strong for product launches
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