28 Grants for Black-Owned Businesses to Apply for in July

July brings a wide range of funding opportunities for Black-owned businesses—from microgrants and competitive pitch awards to larger-scale programs designed to support Black entrepreneurship and long-term business growth. We’ve curated a selection of active funding opportunities available this month to help founders access capital, resources, and strategic support.

Below are 28 grants, pitch competitions, and funding programs currently open to Black-owned businesses in July 2026. Please review each opportunity carefully, including eligibility requirements and application deadlines, before applying.

1. Skip $10,000 Summer Grant — National (U.S.)

One of the most active “quick apply” small business grants running right now.

Deadline: June 30 – July 1, 2026 (cycle cutoff varies by round)

Amount: $10,000 (multiple winners per cycle)

Audience: U.S. entrepreneurs and small business owners (any stage)

2. New York State — “Havens of Opportunity, Peace & Empowerment”

Community + small business development grant focused on economic mobility.

Deadline: July 1, 2026

Amount: Varies (program-based, often $10,000–$100,000+)

Audience: Nonprofits + small business support orgs in NY, NJ, UT

Note: Often flows into small business ecosystems through nonprofits (CDFIs, incubators).

3. California Advanced Services Fund

State-funded infrastructure + digital equity program that includes small business support ecosystems.

Deadline: July 1, 2026

Amount: $40,000 – $1.5M

Audience: CA-based organizations, startups, and community-serving businesses

Best angle for you: tech, marketplace infrastructure, digital access expansion

4. Shift Impact Grant

Unrestricted funding for businesses and startups building sustainability and environmental impact solutions.

Deadline: July 2, 2026

Amount: $25,000

Audience: U.S. and Canadian startups, small businesses, and nonprofits focused on sustainability or climate impact.

5.  Leaders of Today Award — $10,000 Micro Grant (Global Youth Grant)

One of the most accessible fast-application funding opportunities for early-stage founders, creators, and young entrepreneurs.

Deadline: July 5, 2026 (extended cycle; applications close 11:59 PM PT)

Amount: $10,000 total fund pool split into 10 awards of $1,000 each

Audience: Individuals 30 and under globally (no requirement for a registered business)

6. Minority Business Grant — New York (State/Regional Program Listing)

Direct small business support for minority-owned companies.

Deadline: July 7, 2026

Amount: Up to $40,000

Audience: Minority-owned small businesses in New York

Use case: inventory, expansion, staffing, marketing

7. RFA Cold Weather Shelter / Austin City Small Business Contracts (Texas)

City of Austin funding tied to operational services and community infrastructure.

Deadline: July 7, 2026

Amount: Varies (often $10,000–$100,000+ contracts)

Audience: Local operators + small businesses in Austin

Note: More contract-based than grant-based (still cash flow funding)

8. Santander Cultivate Small Business Grant

Manifest Your Purpose Business Grant blesses Texas-based Black American founders with a grant, and free consultation to jumpstart their funding journey.

Deadline: Seasonal (typically opens in June cycles or around Juneteenth campaigns)

Amount: Varies (commonly $5,000–$25,000+ depending on cohort)

Audience: Black-owned businesses and nonprofit organizations

9. NC IDEA MICRO + SEED GRANT — North Carolina

One of the strongest startup funding programs in the Southeast for early-stage innovation businesses.

Deadline: July 2026 (cycle-based; typically opens mid-year intake)

Amount:

• $10,000 (Micro Grant)

• $50,000 (Seed Grant)

Audience:

Early-stage startups based in North Carolina or relocating, especially innovation, tech, and scalable business models.

10. YippityDoo Big Idea Grant

Micro-grant to help launch or grow entrepreneurial ideas.

Deadline: June 31, 2026

Amount: $1,000

Audience: New or early-stage small businesses.

11. Hustler’s MicroGrant

Provides $1,000 to small business owners and entrepreneurs as a recurring microgrant opportunity to support growth and operations. Applications are accepted on a monthly basis (rolling deadline).

Deadline: June 31 at 11:59 pm

Amount: $1,000

Audience: U.S.‑based small business owners / entrepreneurs of all industries.

12. IFundWomen Universal Grant

Funding opportunities for women-owned businesses through brand partnerships and ongoing grants.

Deadline:  Rolling (new grants added regularly)

Amount:  $5,000+

Audience: Women-owned businesses

13. Kickstarter Next Wave Fund

A funding and accelerator program from Kickstarter and Google for Startups that helps entrepreneurs launch innovative technology products through crowdfunding.

Deadline: Rolling (applications accepted year-round)

Amount: $10,000 Kickstarter pledge toward your campaign goal if selected

Audience: U.S.-based startups and small businesses with fewer than 20 employees building technology products, software, apps, platforms, gaming products, or hardware.

14. Secretsos Small Business Grant

This is a recurring microgrant program designed to provide accessible funding to small business owners, particularly underrepresented founders. It prioritizes simplicity in the application process and supports immediate business needs like marketing, supplies, and operations.

Deadline: Monthly / rolling cycles (varies by release)

Amount: $500–$2,500

Audience: Small business owners, including Black-owned and early-stage entrepreneurs

15.  GOLDEN LEAF FOUNDATION ECONOMIC CATALYST GRANTS—North Carolina

State-backed economic development funding focused on rural and underserved communities.

Deadline: July 2026 review cycle (varies by round)

Amount: $5,000 – $100,000+

Audience:

Small businesses, nonprofits, and community development projects in rural or economically distressed areas.

16. Wish Local Empowerment Program

Micro-grants to support Black-owned brick-and-mortar businesses. Awards help with inventory, marketing, or operational expenses.

Deadline: Rolling (applications accepted through March 2026)

Amount: $500–$2,000

Audience: U.S. Black-owned physical storefronts with < 20 employees and <$1 M revenue.

17. HerRise MicroGrant

Monthly micro-grant supporting women of color owners — including Black women — with operational costs, marketing, or startup needs.

Deadline: June 31, 2026 (monthly cycle)

Amount: $1,000

Audience: Black women and women of color small business owners in the U.S.

18. CHICAGO SMALL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT FUND (SBIF) — Illinois

One of the most powerful storefront improvement programs in the U.S.

Deadline: Rolling, with July board approval cycles

Amount: $2,000 – $150,000

Audience:

Brick-and-mortar businesses in designated commercial corridors in Chicago.

Use case:

Renovations, buildouts, equipment, storefront upgrades.

A national small business funding and accelerator program designed to strengthen local “Main Street” businesses through capital, coaching, and business development support.

19. Amber Grants

Monthly grant for entrepreneurs (especially women founders). Funds can be used for business growth, marketing, staffing, or other operational costs.

Deadline: June 30, 2026 (last day of month)*

Amount: $10,000 (monthly) + eligibility for larger annual awards

Audience: U.S. & Canadian entrepreneurs and small business owners (women-owned primary focus, but many use it broadly).

20. Freed Fellowship

The Freed Fellowship helps small business owners get the feedback they need to build successful companies that make an impact.

Deadline: Rolling (Monthly)

Amount: $500

Audience: Small business owners & BIPOC entrepreneurs

21. Hey Helen Grant - Women Entrepreneurs

Recurring grant supporting women and nonbinary founders across industries.

Deadline: August 30, 2026 cycle (July application window active)

Amount: $10,000

Audience: Women and nonbinary entrepreneurs with active businesses

Focus:

• fashion brands

• service businesses

• lifestyle + consumer brands

• early-to-mid stage companies

22. Amber Grant For Women

A U.S. Department of Education grant program funding organizations that are “changing the game” in educator training, development, and workforce systems.

Deadline: June 1, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)

Amount: ~$90,000,000 total program pool (25–30 awards nationally)

Audience: Nonprofits, for-profit organizations, HBCUs, MSIs, and institutions building educator development or training system

23. Galaxy of Stars

Quick, no-business-plan application designed to support minority and women entrepreneurs.

Deadline: July 31, 2026

Amount: $4,250

Audience: Women-owned and minority-owned businesses at any stage.

24. US Chamber of Commerce CO—100 Small Business Awards

This national recognition program highlights high-growth small businesses and provides funding, exposure, and strategic support.

Deadline: July 7, 2025 (active submission window begins May–June cycle)

Amount: $25,000 (grand winner) + additional awards

Audience: U.S. small businesses demonstrating growth, innovation, and impact (Black-owned businesses eligible)

 25. Breva Thrive Grant

Supports entrepreneurs creating positive community impact through their businesses.

Deadline: July 31, 2026

Amount: $5,000

Audience: Revenue-generating small businesses.

26. She’s Connected by AT&T

A national competition providing funding, mentorship, and business visibility.

Deadline: July 31, 2026

Amount: $50,000

Audience: Women-owned small businesses in the United States.

Supports entrepreneurs creating positive community impact through their businesses.

26. Changing the Game Grant (Stanley 1913 × TOGETHXR)

A national competition providing funding, mentorship, and business visibility.

Deadline: July 31, 2026

Amount: $50,000

Audience: Women-owned small businesses in the United States.

Supports entrepreneurs creating positive community impact through their businesses.

27. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant

(Rolling)

Deadline: Rolling throughout 2026

Amount: $10,000

Audience: U.S. small businesses.

A national competition providing funding, mentorship, and business visibility.

Deadline: July 31, 2026

Amount: $50,000

Audience: Women-owned small businesses in the United States.

Supports entrepreneurs creating positive community impact through their businesses.

28. SoGal Foundation Black Founder Startup Grant

Provides funding and investor access for underrepresented founders building scalable companies.

Deadline: Rolling

Amount: $5,000–$10,000

Audience: Black women founders and nonbinary entrepreneurs.