42 Grants for Black-Owned Businesses to Apply for in September

September offers Black entrepreneurs new ways to secure the funding and support needed to move their businesses forward. This month’s opportunities include accessible microgrants, high-value awards, pitch competitions, business-development programs, and other resources created to strengthen Black-owned companies at various stages of growth.

Explore these 42 funding opportunities available to Black-owned businesses in September 2026. Before applying, confirm each program’s eligibility criteria, required materials, geographic restrictions, and deadline.

1. TRANSFORM Business Grant

Funding and year-long business mentorship for entrepreneurs from systemically marginalized communities who are creating measurable social impact.

Deadline: September 18, 2026

Amount: $1,000 plus a customized year-long mentorship program

Audience: U.S.-based BIPOC, disabled or neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, formerly incarcerated, and other marginalized entrepreneurs demonstrating financial need; the business must align with TRANSFORM’s antiracist and anticapitalist values.

2. Her Agenda — Breakthrough Grant Vol. III

Supports a woman entrepreneur who needs capital to advance, strengthen, or grow an existing business.

Deadline: September 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Amount: $5,000

Audience: U.S.-based women entrepreneurs, age 18 or older, operating a registered business for at least one year; applicants must subscribe to Her Agenda’s newsletter. A $25 application fee applies.

3. Fund Her Future—Block Advisors by H&R Block

A national competition providing substantial capital and professional financial services to women-owned small businesses.

Deadline: September 22, 2026

Amount: $45,000 plus approximately $5,000 in bookkeeping, payroll, and tax services

Audience: U.S.-based women business owners with at least $25,000 in previous-year revenue and no more than 25 employees.

4. Enthuse Foundation Annual Pitch Competition

Funding, coaching, and strategic assistance for women founders prepared to pitch their consumer brand.

Deadline: September 23, 2026

Amount: $15,000 first place; $10,000 second place

Audience: U.S. businesses at least 51% woman-owned, primarily physical-product food, beverage, or CPG brands. Revenue requirements should be confirmed on the application because published summaries conflict.

5.  Texas Woman’s University — StartUP Grant

Growth capital for young Texas businesses, accompanied by business training and advising.

Deadline: September 23, 2026

Amount: $5,000; ten businesses selected

Audience: Legally formed Texas businesses with five or fewer employees and five or fewer years in operation. Requires a minimum $500 owner match.

6. Saltbox Atlanta — The Next Stop Grant

Provides warehouse membership credit to help a Georgia product business increase its storage, shipping, or project capacity.

Deadline: September 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Amount: $5,000 in Saltbox warehouse-suite membership credit—not unrestricted cash

Audience: Georgia product or project-based businesses operating for at least six months that need warehouse and loading-dock space. The winner must attend the October 7 Chamblee launch party.

7.  Amber Grant for Women

One application places a founder in consideration for the monthly Amber Grant, Startup Grant, and current Business Category Grant.

Deadline: September 30, 2026

Amount: Three $10,000 September awards; monthly winners may qualify for one of three $50,000 year-end grants

Audience: Women-owned businesses in the U.S. and Canada, including startups. Application fee: $15.

8. Giving Joy Grant

Funds a woman-led business, nonprofit, or community initiative expected to benefit women, families, or the wider community.

Deadline: September 30, 2026

Amount: Up to $500

Audience: Women age 18 or older located anywhere in the world; both new and existing ventures may qualify.

9. Tara’s Circle Global Competition for Women Founders

A global competition helping women-led startups develop and present ventures addressing social, economic, or environmental problems.

Deadline: September 17, 2026

Amount: Competition-based funding and venture-development support; confirm the current cash-prize amount before publishing

Audience: Women founders and co-founders leading seed-stage or MVP-stage social-impact ventures.

10. NDSS x Voya Cares Entrepreneur Grants

Capital supporting entrepreneurs with Down syndrome who are starting or developing a business.

Deadline: September 11, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Amount: $10,000 each for two recipients

Audience: U.S. residents age 18 or older with Down syndrome who own or are starting a business. This is disability-specific and not a general ADHD grant.

11. Hostinger 21-Day Startup Challenge

A rapid business-building competition for entrepreneurs using Hostinger tools to develop and launch an online venture.

Deadline: September 24, 2026

Amount: Tools, platform support, visibility, and challenge prizes; confirm the exact prize assigned to the applicable challenge track

Audience: International entrepreneurs, creators, and early-stage founders able to build and launch a functional online business or technology project during the challenge.

12. Hey Helen Grant

Monthly unrestricted funding for women building mission-driven companies.

Deadline: September 30, 2026

Amount: $10,000

Audience: Legally registered U.S. for-profit businesses that are at least 50% woman-owned and earn under $1 million annually. Pre-revenue businesses are welcome. Application fee: $15

13.  HIGH FIVE Grant for Moms

Growth funding specifically created for mothers and caregivers operating for-profit businesses.

Deadline: September 30, 2026

Amount: $10,000 grand prize; $5,000 runner-up; $2,500 second runner-up; five $1,000 honorable mentions

Audience: U.S. or Canadian mothers, expecting mothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, and women caregivers who own at least 50% of a business earning $10,000–$500,000 annually.

14. Secretsos Small Business Grant

Flexible quarterly funding for entrepreneurs traditionally overlooked by banks and investors.

Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT

Amount: $2,500

Audience: U.S. entrepreneurs age 21 or older with legally registered businesses. Priority includes minority-, women-, and veteran-owned companies, businesses in low-income communities, and applicants previously denied bank financing. Application fee: $15.

15. Credibly Small Business Award

Recognizes business owners demonstrating resilience and meaningful community impact.

Deadline: September 30, 2026

Amount: Up to $30,000

Audience: U.S. small-business owners; confirm the full revenue and operational requirements in the application.

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16. Business Freedom Grant

Microgrant supporting entrepreneurs preparing to start, formally launch, or scale a business.

Deadline: September 30, 2026

Amount: $1,000

Audience: Entrepreneurs with a clear and actionable business idea in any industry, including product, service, and digital businesses.

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17. Freed Fellowship Grant

A monthly microgrant accompanied by strategy assistance, business-community membership, and possible media exposure.

Deadline: September 30, 2026 for the September round

Amount: $500 monthly; recipients may qualify for a $2,500 year-end grant

Audience: U.S.-based microbusiness and small-business owners. Application fee: $19.

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18. The Hustle Grant

Monthly capital, workshops, and marketing support for women-owned businesses.

Deadline: September 30, 2026

Amount: $1,000 plus marketing exposure and one year of community access

Audience: U.S.-based businesses at least 50% woman-owned. Application fee: $15.

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19.  NASE Growth Grant

Helps self-employed business owners purchase equipment, develop marketing, hire assistance, or pursue business training.

Deadline: September 30, 2026 quarterly review date

Amount: Up to $4,000

Audience: Eligible National Association for the Self-Employed members. Most applicants must maintain membership for at least 90 days before applying.

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20.  USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program

Supports facilities that deliver essential services in rural communities, including education, healthcare, food systems, and public safety.

Deadline: September 30, 2026 for the current application period

Amount: Varies; grants may cover up to 75% of eligible project costs in qualifying communities

Audience: Rural nonprofits, public bodies, community organizations, and federally recognized tribes serving communities with fewer than 20,000 residents.

21. YippityDoo Big Idea Grant

Micro-grant to help launch or grow entrepreneurial ideas.

Deadline: September 30, 2026

Amount: $1,000

Audience: New or early-stage small businesses.

22. 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: September 30 at 11:59 pm

Amount: $1,000

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

23. 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.

24. Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion—EDGE Grant

Large competitive funding program for young STEM and non-STEM companies expanding in Delaware.

Deadline: September 11, 2026

Amount: STEM pool up to $750,000; non-STEM pool up to $400,000, divided among recipients

Audience: Primarily Delaware-based businesses operating under seven years, with no more than 15 employees and under $700,000 in assets. Matching funds are required

25. Wish Local Empowerment Program

Microgrants 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.

26. HerRise MicroGrant

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

Deadline: September 30, 2026 (monthly cycle)

Amount: $1,000

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

27. 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, and storefront upgrades.

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

28. Amber Grants

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

Deadline: August 31, 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).

29. 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

30. Galaxy of Stars

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

Deadline: September 30,, 2026

Amount: $4,250

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

31. NASE Growth Grant

Provides funding to support marketing, hiring, equipment purchases, technology upgrades, and other business growth initiatives.

Deadline: Quarterly (Rolling)

Amount: Up to $4,000

Audience: National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) members in good standing.

32. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant

(Rolling)

Provides small businesses with free expert-led courses, live coaching, networking opportunities, and business resources designed to help owners grow and compete in today's digital economy. Businesses that complete the required program activities become eligible to apply for Verizon's grant program.

Deadline: Rolling (Monthly Grant Rounds Throughout 2026)

Amount: $10,000

Audience: U.S.-based for-profit small businesses that complete the required Verizon Small Business Digital Ready courses or events before applying. Eligible businesses must be registered in the United States and agree to the program's terms and conditions.

33. 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.

34. SBA Women’s Business Center Modernization Initiative — Georgia

Federal funding to establish a coordinated statewide network providing business development services to women entrepreneurs in Georgia.

Deadline: September 13, 2026

Amount: Up to $766,218; one award expected

Audience: Georgia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with experience delivering technical assistance and entrepreneurship services to small businesses. This is not available to an ordinary for-profit business.

35. Miami-Dade Artist Access Grant

Funds professional-development opportunities that can advance an artist’s skills, practice, visibility, or career.

Deadline: September 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Amount: Varies based on the approved professional-development activity

Audience: Practicing professional artists of any discipline residing in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Eligible activities can include residencies, workshops, conferences, master classes, and teaching-artist training.

36.  South Florida Cultural Consortium Grant

One of the largest government-supported regional grants for individual visual and media artists.

Deadline: September 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Amount: $7,500 or $15,000

Audience: Visual and media artists who have resided for at least one year in Broward, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, or Palm Beach County.

36.   Innovate Grant — Summer Cycle

Unrestricted funding and promotional exposure for visual artists and photographers.

Deadline: September 17, 2026

Amount: Two $1,800 grants—one for a visual artist and one for a photographer—plus smaller honorable-mention awards

Audience: Visual artists and photographers age 18 or older. International applicants and artists at different career stages may apply. An application fee applies.

37. DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund

Emergency operating capital for local businesses damaged or financially affected by qualifying natural disasters.

Deadline: October 1, 2026 for the current round

Amount: $5,000

Audience: Businesses affected by a disaster specifically covered by the current application. The presently advertised round focuses on eligible brick-and-mortar businesses affected by the Spokane County fires.

38. Startup World Cup — Twin Cities Regional

A pitch competition connecting scalable startups with investors and the opportunity to advance to the global Startup World Cup.

Deadline: September 9, 2026

Amount: Opportunity to compete for a $1 million investment at the global finale—not a grant

Audience: Scalable startups prepared to pitch publicly. Ten companies will be selected for the Twin Cities regional competition.

39. Impact Founders Documentary Funding

Impact Partners Documentary Fund

Provides substantial development or production investment for documentary films with strong artistic and social-impact potential.

Deadline: Rolling; begins with a letter of inquiry

Amount: Approximately $100,000–$300,000 per selected project

Audience: Independent documentary filmmakers with feature-length projects. This is generally an equity investment rather than a traditional no-repayment grant.

40. Brooklyn Social Justice Fund Pitch Competition

Major unrestricted funding for established Brooklyn businesses creating jobs and strengthening their communities.

Deadline: September 11, 2026

Amount: $150,000 grand prize; additional awards of $25,000–$75,000; $450,000 total funding

Audience: Businesses headquartered or primarily operating in Brooklyn with $1–$5 million in annual revenue, demonstrated momentum, and a credible growth strategy.

41. She Believed She Could Impact Grant

Supports women leading early-stage businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community-impact initiatives.

Deadline: September 30, 2026

Amount: Two $2,500 grants plus a strategy intensive valued at $7,500

Audience: Women applying through one of two categories: female nonprofit founders/community leaders or women building early-stage, impact-oriented businesses.

42. Share Your Stories Marketing Grant

Provides marketing capital and mentorship to small businesses seeking greater visibility and audience growth.

Deadline: September 30, 2026

Amount: Two $2,500 grants

Audience: Small-business owners and entrepreneurs internationally who have a clear marketing or visibility objective. Application fee: $25.