11 Easy-to-Access Minority Grants for Black Men to Start or Grow a Business

If you are a Black man looking for grants to start a business or expand an existing one, there are legitimate funding opportunities you can pursue.

However, you need to understand that grants specifically reserved for Black male entrepreneurs are relatively uncommon.

Most of the opportunities available to you fall into three categories: grants supporting Black-owned businesses, general small business grants that accept entrepreneurs regardless of race or gender, and specialized grants for businesses operating in particular industries.

The important thing is to identify a program that matches your business rather than spending weeks applying for grants you cannot qualify for.

Some organizations award a few thousand dollars to help small businesses purchase equipment or improve operations.

Others support innovative startups, neighborhood businesses, or entrepreneurs developing commercially viable technologies.

Below are 11 genuine grant programs and business funding opportunities that Black men can explore.

Some have active or recurring application periods, while others are worth monitoring for their next funding round.

Quick Comparison of Business Grants for Black Men

If you already have a business, begin with the programs that accept existing small businesses.

If you are developing a startup, pay particular attention to competitions and funding opportunities that accept early-stage entrepreneurs.

Important: The programs above do not all restrict eligibility to Black men. Some support Black-owned businesses of any gender, while others accept all qualified entrepreneurs.

Award amounts and application requirements may change when new funding rounds are announced.

Business Grants Black Men Can Apply for or Explore

1. Initiative for Black Owned Small Businesses

The Initiative for Black Owned Small Businesses is a nonprofit organization established to support Black-owned businesses through direct financial assistance.

Unlike many grant providers that require extensive business plans and financial projections, this organization emphasizes a simpler application process.

Its microgrants are funded by donations from individuals and organizations that want to support small Black-owned businesses.

Who qualifies?

• Your business must be at least 50% Black-owned.
• Your business must have taxable income of $150,000 or less.
• You must satisfy any additional geographic and administrative requirements in the application.

The organization describes its awards as grants rather than loans. Recipients are not required to repay the funding, and the organization does not generally require receipts or detailed spending reports.

However, it does not publish a fixed grant amount or guaranteed award schedule.

How to apply: Look for the application section on the Initiative for Black Owned Small Businesses website and provide the requested business information. Confirm that applications are being considered for current funding before submitting.

Best for: Small Black-owned businesses that need flexible financial assistance but may not have the resources to prepare complicated grant proposals.

2. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is one of the more useful business grant programs to consider if you already operate a small business.

Verizon works with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to provide financial assistance and educational resources to eligible entrepreneurs.

Under the program, ten small businesses are selected each month from June through December to receive $10,000 grants.

The grant is not limited to Black-owned businesses, but it prioritizes businesses in underserved and low-to-moderate-income communities.

Eligibility requirements include:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• Your business must be a for-profit business located in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• You must register on the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform.
• You must complete two qualifying courses or events between January 1st and December 7th.
• You must provide the required business and financial verification documents if selected.

Once you complete the qualifying training activities, you can unlock the grant application.

You only need to submit one application for the national grant cycle. If your business is not selected during one monthly review, your application remains eligible for subsequent selections.

Why this program is worth considering: Even if you do not receive the grant, you can benefit from free business training covering subjects such as financial management, marketing, technology, and customer acquisition.

3. Readiness for Resiliency Mitigation Grant

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, with support from Verizon, offers a $5,000 grant to help small businesses prepare for natural disasters.

The Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) Mitigation Grant is particularly useful if your business operates in an area where hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, storms, or other natural hazards could interrupt operations.

Rather than paying for general business expansion, the grant supports projects that reduce the risk of future disaster-related losses.

Examples of projects that may be relevant include improvements to business continuity planning, protection of essential business equipment, or other eligible measures designed to reduce operational disruption.

How to apply:

• Register for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.
• Complete an eligible Disaster Resilience course, such as Know Your Hazards or Build Your Business Continuity & Mitigation Plan.
• Prepare a clear explanation of the disaster risk affecting your business.
• Describe the mitigation project you intend to undertake.
• Submit your application before the announced deadline.

The current application deadline is November 15th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Applying also registers your business for the foundation’s separate disaster recovery grant program, subject to its eligibility requirements.

Best for: Established businesses that want funding for a specific disaster preparedness project rather than unrestricted operating expenses.

4. Skip $10,000 Growth Grants

Skip is a business funding and support platform that helps entrepreneurs discover funding opportunities and develop their businesses. It also operates its own grant competitions, including the Skip Growth Grants.

For its current funding round, Skip is offering one $10,000 grant to an eligible U.S. entrepreneur or small business owner.

The opportunity is open to applicants aged 18 or older who meet the published rules.

How to apply: Create or access your Skip account, locate the current Growth Grant opportunity, and complete all required written and supplemental application questions.

Applicants should explain what their businesses do, what they have accomplished, and how the funding would support their next stage of growth. The deadline for this round is December 17th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Important: Skip offers different grants with different application and membership rules. Some opportunities are restricted to paying members, so review the specific rules of the Growth Grant before applying.

Do not purchase a subscription merely because you assume it will improve your chances of receiving funding.

5. National Association for the Self-Employed Growth Grants

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) offers Growth Grants worth up to $4,000 to eligible members seeking to improve their businesses.

This program is particularly relevant if you operate a small business by yourself or employ only a few workers.

For example, you might own a barbershop, cleaning company, small repair service, graphic design business, landscaping company, or another qualifying enterprise.

The organization allows grant recipients to use approved funding for expenses such as:

• Marketing and advertising.
• Purchasing business equipment or software.
• Hiring part-time workers.
• Developing or improving a business website.
• Office improvements and business furniture.
• Professional training and participation in trade shows.

Grant funds cannot be used to pay existing debts or rent and mortgage obligations.

Eligibility requirements:

• You must be an eligible NASE member in good standing.
• Annual, Veteran, and Gold members may apply immediately.
• Monthly members must generally maintain their membership for at least 90 days before becoming eligible.
• You must demonstrate a specific business need and explain how the grant will help your company grow.

Applicants must provide a business plan, a statement explaining how the money will be used, recent financial information, and other requested supporting documents.

Applications are reviewed quarterly.

My advice: Before paying for NASE membership, review the membership fees and determine whether the association’s other benefits are valuable to your business. Joining does not guarantee you will receive a grant.

6. Department of Energy Small Business Innovation Research Grants

If you are a Black male entrepreneur developing an innovative technology, the Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are worth exploring.

These federal programs support eligible American small businesses working on commercially promising technological research and development.

Funding can support activities such as testing technical feasibility, developing prototypes, and advancing qualified innovations toward commercialization.

The Department of Energy announced a Fall funding opportunity covering 25 technology research topics, with more than $200 million in potential funding across multiple program phases.

This figure represents the broader funding opportunity, not the amount available to any individual company.

Applicants for the current opportunity must submit a qualifying pitch by December 16, 2026.

Who should apply? Entrepreneurs operating eligible U.S. small businesses that have the technical expertise and resources to perform meaningful research or development.

Your business must meet the relevant federal small business eligibility rules and satisfy the technical conditions of the funding opportunity.

Best for: Businesses working on eligible innovations in energy technology, advanced manufacturing, scientific computing, materials, and related fields.

Do not assume this is ordinary startup funding. If you want to open a restaurant, trucking company, barbershop, or general retail store, this program will probably not match your business.

However, if you are developing a genuinely innovative technology with commercial potential, it may be worth the considerable effort required to prepare a competitive proposal.

7. Readiness for Resiliency Disaster Recovery Grants

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation also administers a disaster recovery grant program for eligible small businesses.

This program is different from the R4R Mitigation Grant discussed earlier.

While the mitigation grant supports preparations made before a disaster, the recovery program provides financial assistance after an eligible business is affected by a qualifying disaster.

Selected businesses may receive $5,000.

Important eligibility conditions include:

• Your business must satisfy the program’s small business eligibility requirements.
• Your business must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• You must complete the program’s preparedness and registration requirements.
• A qualifying disaster must affect your business or community.
• You must demonstrate at least $5,000 in eligible disaster-related losses.

The program generally serves small businesses with 500 or fewer employees and excludes nonprofit organizations.

Registration does not guarantee payment. The foundation determines which disasters activate the program, and businesses must satisfy the applicable conditions.

Why consider it? If your business operates in a disaster-prone region, registering before a disaster occurs could put you in a better position to access recovery assistance when you need it.

Additional Black Entrepreneur Grants and Business Competitions to Monitor

The following programs have provided meaningful business funding, but their latest application periods are closed or their next application dates have not been confirmed. You should monitor them rather than assume you can apply immediately.

8. National Black MBA Association Scale-Up Pitch Challenge

The National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) operates the Scale-Up Pitch Challenge to encourage entrepreneurs to develop startups with meaningful growth potential.

The competition gives founders an opportunity to present their business ideas to judges, industry professionals, and investors.

Previous competition structures have included a $50,000 grand prize, with additional awards for finalists.

However, you should not assume that a future competition will offer exactly the same prize structure.

What makes this opportunity different? It is designed for entrepreneurs with scalable businesses rather than applicants seeking general financial assistance for personal expenses or ordinary business bills.

Depending on the competition’s current rules, applicants may need to satisfy requirements concerning:

• Business ownership and founder eligibility.
• Membership in the National Black MBA Association.
• The development stage of their startup.
• Previous funding and business performance.
• Participation in pitch presentations.

If you intend to participate in a future competition, prepare a presentation explaining your product or service, target market, competitive advantage, revenue model, and growth potential.

The association continues to identify the Scale-Up Pitch Challenge as part of its entrepreneurship programming, but a current application deadline and prize structure should be confirmed before applying.

Best for: Black entrepreneurs developing startups capable of growing beyond a small local customer base.

9. NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant

The NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant is one of the better-known business funding initiatives established to support Black entrepreneurs.

The program has operated in partnership with business organizations and entrepreneurs, including Daymond John’s The Shark Group.

Selected businesses in previous rounds received grants of $25,000, along with opportunities for business mentorship and professional exposure.

The program supports qualifying entrepreneurs who can demonstrate the potential to develop or expand commercially viable businesses. However, the NAACP currently states that applications for this grant are closed.

What should you do? Monitor the NAACP’s future grant announcements and prepare your business information so you can respond promptly if another funding round is launched.

You should be ready to explain:

• What your business sells and who buys it.
• What you have accomplished so far.
• The business problem you need funding to solve.
• How you would spend the grant.
• How the grant would improve your business’s commercial prospects.

Best for: Black entrepreneurs who can demonstrate business progress and explain a credible growth opportunity.

10. U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO—100 Awards

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce operates the CO—100 Awards to recognize outstanding small businesses across the United States.

The program is not restricted to Black-owned businesses. Nevertheless, eligible Black male entrepreneurs can compete based on their companies’ performance, achievements, and business potential.

Under the competition structure, the top business received $25,000, while ten category honorees received $2,000 each.

Businesses were assessed in categories covering areas such as innovation, community impact, customer experience, growth, and business resilience.

The program also provides recognition, business connections, and exposure to a wider audience.

Best for: Entrepreneurs who already operate established businesses and can demonstrate meaningful achievements rather than relying solely on an untested business idea.

If your company is still in its planning stage, you may be better served by an early-stage business grant until you have established a track record of customers and revenue.

11. Galaxy Grants for Minority Entrepreneurs

Galaxy Grants are administered through Galaxy of Stars, a platform operated by Hidden Star, a nonprofit organization supporting women and minority entrepreneurs.

The program has provided grants to entrepreneurs at different stages of business development, including people who are still planning their businesses.

Its latest advertised grant offered $2,500, and applications were free. The application deadline for that round was October 31st.

Black men can qualify under the program’s minority entrepreneur eligibility framework, subject to the rules of the relevant funding round.

Unlike programs designed for established businesses with significant revenue, Galaxy Grants have also considered aspiring entrepreneurs.

The organization offers business education, networking opportunities, and other resources through its platform.

Best for: Black entrepreneurs looking for modest startup or business development funding with a relatively straightforward application process.

Where Else Can Black Men Find Business Grants?

If none of the opportunities above matches your business, do not assume that you have exhausted your funding options.

Some of the most relevant opportunities may come from your local government, community development organizations, industry associations, or business support networks.

State and Local Small Business Grants

Some state and local governments provide grants to businesses that improve commercial neighborhoods, create employment opportunities, or undertake qualifying projects.

For example, a city may provide financial assistance to eligible businesses renovating storefronts, purchasing approved equipment, or expanding into designated commercial districts.

These programs are often restricted to particular locations, and some only reimburse expenses after they have been approved and paid.

You should investigate the business development office in your city or county and your state’s economic development agency.

Minority Business Development Agency

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) provides business development support through programs and services intended to help eligible businesses strengthen their commercial opportunities.

However, MBDA should not be treated as a general grant provider that gives startup money directly to every Black entrepreneur.

Its funding primarily supports qualifying organizations that provide business assistance, rather than unrestricted grants to individuals establishing ordinary businesses.

You may still benefit from business advisory services, financing preparation, contracting guidance, and other forms of business development support.

Business Grant Discovery Platforms

Platforms such as Hello Alice provide information about business grants, competitions, business accelerators, and other funding opportunities.

Some programs offered through these platforms support entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities, while others are open to businesses meeting specific revenue, location, or industry requirements.

Remember that a grant discovery platform is not the same thing as a grant award. You still need to satisfy the actual grant provider’s eligibility rules.

For additional information, you can explore our guide to Black and minority business funding opportunities.

How to Improve Your Chances of Receiving a Business Grant

You can find a legitimate grant and still fail to qualify if you do not understand what the funding organization wants to accomplish.Before applying, consider these practical steps.

1. Match the Grant to Your Business

If you own a barbershop, an ordinary small business grant may be more useful than a technology research grant.

If you have created a new software product and need funding to test its commercial potential, a research and development program may be more appropriate.

Choose funding opportunities based on your business activities and qualifications, not simply the size of the advertised award.

2. Prepare a Clear Funding Budget

Most grant organizations want to understand what you intend to do with the money.

For example, if you are applying for a $10,000 grant to expand a cleaning company, your proposed budget might look like this:

This is an illustrative grant budget, not a guarantee that any particular program will approve these expenses.

The important thing is to show how the funding would help your business improve operations, serve more customers, or become financially stronger.

3. Gather Your Business Documents

Depending on the program, you may need:

• Business registration documents and an Employer Identification Number.
• A short or detailed business plan.
• Recent tax returns or financial statements.
• Information about your business ownership.
• Evidence of revenue, customers, or business activity.
• A grant budget explaining the proposed use of funds.
• Relevant professional licenses or industry certifications.

Do not assume that every grant requires all these documents. Smaller grants may have simpler requirements, while federal research programs may require extensive technical and financial documentation.

4. Avoid Grant Scams

You should be cautious when someone contacts you unexpectedly claiming that you have already qualified for a government grant.

Legitimate grants generally require an application, review, or documented eligibility process.

Never pay an unexpected release fee, insurance charge, or processing payment to receive a grant you supposedly won.

Some established private grant programs charge application fees or require membership.

Those costs should be clearly explained in the official program rules. You should also remember that grants may have tax implications.

Consult a qualified tax professional if you are uncertain about how an award should be reported.