Grant Capital
Grants provide non-repayable funds to support your business’s growth and development.
State of Ohio Services & Incentives
development.ohio.gov
Offers a variety of bonds, grants, loans and tax credits that can assist Ohio companies as they grow and create jobs in Ohio.
City of Cleveland Incentives & Financing
makeitincleveland.org
Has a variety of loans and grants to help expand or relocate your company to Cleveland.
JobsOhio Services & Incentives
jobsohio.com
Offers performance-based incentives to assist companies that are locating or expanding their operations in Ohio.
America’s Top Small Business Contest (US CoC)
uschamber.com
A contest hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce whose winners are awarded various cash prizes, recognition, and publicity, including a grand cash prize of $25,000.
Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator Program
sell.amazon.com
Offers financial assistance, education and coaching, and Amazon marketing and advertising support to any eligible minority applicant with an Amazon business account.
WomensNet Amber Grant
ambergrantsforwomen.com
Offers a monthly prize of $10,000 to eligible woman applicants, along with various other grant opportunities.
SoGal Foundation Black Founder Startup Grant
usbusinessgrants.org
Offers grants of up to $10,000 to black and multiracial women and nonbinary entrepreneurs eventually planning to seek investors financing.
Etsy Emergency Relief Fund
survey.alchemer.com/s3/7001185/Disaster-Relief-Grant-App
Provides disaster relief grant of up to $2,500 for existing Etsy sellers affected by a natural disaster.
Cleveland Foundation Grants
clevelandfoundation.org
Offer small business grants on a rolling basis. Priority given to businesses operating in Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Health & Human Services, Leadership Development, Neighborhood Revitalization & Engagement and Youth & Social Services.
ZenBusiness #MomsMeanBusiness
zenbusiness.com
Covers the cost of business formation and helps “mompreneurs” set up processes to track expenses, secure a business name and more. All mothers are eligible.
NASE Growth Grants
nase.org
Offers small business grants up to $4,000 for 3-month+ members of NASE.org.
Rebuild the Block Bridge the Gap Fund
rebuildtheblock.org
Provides financial assistance to Black entrepreneurs who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and/or looting destruction.
Fearless Strivers Grant Contest
fearless.fund
Awards winners $20,000 grants, along with mentorship and digital tools to help you grow online. Open to black women who are US residents and the principal owners of a US-based small business.
iFundWomen Universal Grant Application
ifundwomen.com
Free submission of a grant application to the iFundWomen database to match with suitable grants as they arise.
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
fedex.com
Awards over $250k to 12 small businesses each year, focusing on providing grants to businesses with “products reaching niche and under-served markets, business models focused on sustainability, and just all-around innovative products.”
Equity Capital
These firms prioritize investments in minority and women-owned businesses.
Humble Ventures
Female Founders Fund
fcubed.typeform.com/pitches?typeform-source=femalefoundersfund.com
Debt Financing
Borrowed funds must be repaid over time, but help businesses achieve immediate growth.
Accion
aofund.org
Offers low-interest small business loans ranging from $5,000 – $150,000 supplemented with programs and coaching.
Cleveland Development Advisors
clevelanddevelopmentadvisors.com
A local CDFI that provides subordinate, gap or bridge financing for real estate projects in neighborhoods that may not otherwise attract investment.
HFLA Interest-free Loans
interestfree.org
Offers 0% interest loans up to $10,000.
Grow Cuyahoga County Fund
growcuyahoga.org
Provides longer-term and lower-rate financing to businesses that create jobs and investment in our community.
ECDI
ecdi.org/loans
Supporting small business clients with loans from $750 – $500,000.
Finance Fund
financefund.org
Works with businesses that are seeking funding to purchase real estate, construct or improve real estate, purchase equipment, inventory, or require working capital.
UBIZ Small Business Loan
apply.tothrive.com/ubiz
Offers up to $150k term loans to minority and minority women-owned small businesses to generate jobs and build community wealth.
SBA Loans
7(a) SBA Loans
The most common SBA loan program offering financial help for businesses with special requirements like real estate purchases.
504 Loans
Long-term, fixed-rate financing of up to $5 million to purchase or repair real estate, equipment, machinery, or other assets.
Microloans
Up to $50,000 to help businesses start up and expand.
Tory Burch / Bank of America CDFI Loans
toryburchfoundation.org
For women entrepreneurs with a sustainable business, a satisfactory credit rating, and at least 2+ in business and generating revenue. Includes grants and loans.
USDA Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan
usda.gov
Provides financial support to qualified lenders whose loan applicants want to start or expand food supply chain activities such as aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesale, or distribution of food.
LISC Working Capital Business Loans
lisc.org
Offers a variety of flexible lending products for businesses and non-profits ranging from $100k – $500k.
Village Capital Real Estate Loans
clevelandnp.org
Provides real estate financing to community and real estate projects that strengthen and revitalize communities.
Additional Tools & Resources
Use this curated list of databases and platforms for a broader search of funding sources.
Nav
nav.com
Database of small business grants, loans, lines of credit, equipment financing and more.
Grants.gov
grants.gov
Database of government grants for startups, small businesses and nonprofits.
Open grants
opengrants.io
Instantly matches grants for your startup, small business, nonprofit or government entity.
Women and Minority Business
womenandminoritybusiness.org
Consistently updated database of grant and loan programs for minority and women-owned businesses.
Ohio Grant Watch
ohio.grantwatch.com
Database of government grants for startups, small businesses, and nonprofits.
Grants For Women
grantsforwomen.org
Online guide to women grants, funding, scholarships and more.
Tory Burch Funding Finder
toryburchfoundation.org/funding-finder
Online tool for financing tips and customized capital option recommendations for your business.
Hello Alice
helloalice.com
Database of small business grants for every stage of your small business adventure.
