36 Grants for Black-Owned Businesses to Apply for in October

Your next business milestone may begin with the right funding opportunity. This October roundup brings together 36 grants, cash awards, pitch competitions, and development programs that Black entrepreneurs can explore to fund new ideas, expand operations, and build stronger businesses. Review the opportunities below to find those that match your business and goals. Before preparing an application, check the deadline, eligibility requirements, location restrictions, required documents, and any application or membership fees.

1. Skip — Fall Business Grant

Funding to help entrepreneurs launch or grow their businesses.

Deadline: October 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET

Amount: $10,000

Audience: U.S.-based entrepreneurs and small business owners age 18+

Application fee: free

2. Botetourt County — Small Business Grant

Funding for business investments, including equipment, building improvements, marketing, and professional services.

Deadline: October 2, 2026; confirm closing time

Amount: Typically $2,000–$10,000

Audience: For-profit businesses physically based in Botetourt County, Virginia, with 100 or fewer employees and operating since May 1, 2026

Application fee: Free

3. Makers Mindset x The Equity Studio — Beauty & Wellness Grant

Equity-free funding, mentorship, and visibility for women-led beauty and wellness consumer brands.

Deadline: October 9, 2026

Amount: $10,000 each for 5 winners

Audience: U.S.-registered beauty or wellness product businesses with at least 51% women ownership, no more than 10 employees, annual revenue over $50,000 and up to $2 million, and one full year of revenue

Application fee: Free

4. Printed Matter — Publisher Work Grant

Unrestricted funding to support independent artists’ book publishers and future publishing projects.

Deadline: October 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET — extended deadline

Amount: $10,000 each for 3 winners

Audience: Independent publishers with a history of artists’ book publishing; businesses exclusively publishing commercial client work are excluded

Application fee: Free, according to the current grant roundup

5.   Marshalls — Good Stuff Accelerator Program

A yearlong development program with coaching, community, and funding for personal or professional goals.

Deadline: October 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET

Amount: $5,000; expected distribution in summer 2027 after participation requirements are met

Audience: U.S., Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico residents age 18+; business ownership is not required

Application fee: Free

6.  Intuit — IDEAS Small Business Accelerator

A 12-month program offering business coaching, software, expert support, and a completion grant.

Deadline: October 15, 2026

Amount: $5,000 upon completion, plus technology and business support

Audience: Eligible registered small businesses in selected markets, including Atlanta, and qualifying veteran or military-spouse businesses nationwide; confirm address eligibility

Application fee: Free

7. CFDA x Frazier Family Foundation — Empowered Vision Award

Funding, mentorship, and visibility to help emerging Black fashion designers grow their businesses.

Deadline: October 15, 2026 — reported in a current roundup; reconfirm before preparing an application

Amount: $100,000 for the recipient; additional cash prizes for two finalists

Audience: Emerging Black fashion designers operating independent businesses

Application fee: Not confirmed

8. Founders First CDC — Kenneth B. and Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Business Grant

Business funding paired with access to entrepreneurial development resources.

Deadline: October 15, 2026

Amount: $1,000

Audience: U.S. veteran or military-spouse business owners with 2–100 employees, at least one year in operation, and annual revenue no greater than $5 million

Application fee: Free

9. University of Maryland — Maryland Industrial Partnerships

Matching research funding to help Maryland companies develop technology products with university researchers.

Deadline: October 15, 2026

Amount: Up to $100,000 per phase; up to $90,000 for startups

Audience: Maryland companies collaborating with eligible university researchers; funding supports university research and requires company matching contributions

Application fee: Free

10. Wisconsin DATCP — Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant

Funding to expand meat-processing capacity through equipment, facilities, and related project expenses.

Deadline: October 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM; confirm time zone

Amount: Up to $50,000

Audience: Licensed Wisconsin meat-processing businesses engaged in livestock harvesting or processing

Application fee: Free

11. Vimeo — Short Film Grant

Production funding, equipment access, mentorship, and distribution support for original short films.

Deadline: October 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET

Amount: $60,000 each for 5 filmmakers

Audience: U.S. or Canadian resident directors age 18+ who have directed at least two short films but have not directed a feature film; proposed projects cannot already be in production or post-production

Application fee: Free

12. Coach K — Legacy Grant

Funding to support entrepreneurial ideas and existing business growth.

Deadline: October 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET

Amount: $1,000

Audience: Aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners; nonprofit owners may also apply

Application fee: Free

13. Massachusetts Clean Energy Center — InnovateMass

Funding and technical support for demonstrating clean-energy technologies with commercialization potential.

Deadline: October 20, 2026

Amount: Up to $350,000

Audience: Applicant teams led by a Massachusetts-based climate-tech company with one or more demonstration partners

Application fee: Free

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14. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality — Natural Gas Vehicle Grant

Funding to replace or repower eligible vehicles with natural-gas-powered vehicles or engines.

Deadline: October 20, 2026, at 5 PM CT, while funds remain

Amount: Up to the applicable program maximum or 90% of eligible incremental costs, whichever is lower

Audience: Individuals and businesses with qualifying medium-duty or heavy-duty vehicles registered to operate in Texas

Application fee: Free

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15. Rhode Island Commerce — Commercial Scale Renewable Energy Fund

Funding to reduce the upfront cost of qualifying commercial renewable-energy projects.

Deadline: October 23, 2026 — approximate published date; may close earlier if funds are exhausted

Amount: Project-dependent

Audience: Eligible commercial renewable-energy projects in Rhode Island

Application fee: Not confirmed

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16. Campbell County — Start Small Campbell Grant

Funding to encourage entrepreneurial training and support new local businesses.

Deadline: October 23, 2026 — reported date; reconfirm because retrieved schedule information conflicts

Amount: $5,000

Audience: Businesses less than three years old or opening their first Campbell County, Virginia location; qualifying workshops and advance business-plan review required

Application fee: Free

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17.  The Elleiance Network — Capital Elle Business Impact Award

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

Application Fee: $50 for non-members; free for Elleiance members.

18.  City of Thornton — South Thornton STAR Grant

Reimbursement funding for new or expanding commercial businesses, including eligible improvements, equipment, and permitting costs.

Deadline: October 30, 2026

Amount: Up to $15,000

Audience: Eligible commercial businesses locating in existing buildings within the designated South Thornton Development Area in Colorado

Application fee: Not confirmed

19.  Frederick County — Agricultural Innovation Grant

Funding to help agricultural businesses diversify or expand through research, facilities, and production investments.

Deadline: October 30, 2026, at 4 PM; confirm time zone

Amount: Not confirmed; review the current application

Audience: Eligible agricultural producers, cooperatives, and processors operating in Frederick County, Maryland, for at least one year

Application fee: Not confirmed

20. 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: October 30 at 11:59 pm

Amount: $1,000

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

Application Fee: $15; non-refundable

21. 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.

22. Women Founders Grant

Merit-based funding to help women translate their ideas and passions into businesses.

Deadline: October 31, 2026

Amount: $5,000

Audience: Women founders and business owners meeting the program’s eligibility requirements

Application fee: $25, nonrefundable

23. HerSuiteSpot — HerRise MicroGrant

Funding to help under-resourced women entrepreneurs meet specific business needs.

Deadline: October 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM; confirm time zone

Amount: $1,000

Audience: U.S.-registered businesses at least 51% owned by women, with less than $1 million in gross revenue

Application fee: $15, nonrefundable

24. 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.

Application Fee: Free

25. Visionaries — Hey Helen Grant

Unrestricted funding for women founders building mission-driven businesses.

Deadline: October 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET

Amount: $10,000

Audience: U.S.-registered, for-profit businesses at least 50% women-owned, with less than $1 million in annual revenue; pre-revenue businesses welcome

Application fee: $15; applications remain eligible for 12 monthly rounds

26. 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.

Application Fee: Free

27. Amber Grants

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

Deadline: October 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).

Application Fee: $15 (Fee waiver available by emailing info@ambergrantsforwomen.com.)

28. 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

Application Fee: $19

29. 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.

Application Fee: Free

30. 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.

Application Fee: Membership required: $120 annually or $11.95 monthly. Monthly members must wait 90 days before applying; annual members are immediately eligible. No separate grant application fee disclosed.

31. 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.

32. 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.

Application Fee: Free

33.  Deja Vu Parker x HerSuiteSpot — Hustler’s MicroGrant

Funding to help entrepreneurs build, grow, or stabilize their small businesses.

Deadline: October 31, 2026 — listed in a current roundup; the official page confirms monthly applications but does not display the exact cutoff

Amount: $1,000

Audience: U.S. entrepreneurs and small business owners with a clear plan for using the funding

Application fee: $15, nonrefundable

34. YippityDoo — Big Idea Grant

Funding to help women entrepreneurs move their business ideas forward.

Deadline: Monthly program; exact October closing date not confirmed

Amount: $1,000

Audience: Eligible for-profit women-owned businesses

Application fee: $15

35. The Hustle Grant

Microgrant funding to support women pursuing their entrepreneurial goals.

Deadline: Rolling

Amount: $1,000

Audience: Women age 18+ operating U.S. businesses with at least 50% women ownership

Application fee: $15

36. National Association for the Self-Employed — Growth Grant

Funding for qualifying business-development needs such as marketing, equipment, hiring, and expansion.

Deadline: Rolling applications; reviewed quarterly

Amount: Up to $4,000

Audience: Eligible NASE members in good standing; annual, veteran, and gold members may apply immediately, while monthly members must wait 90 days

Application fee: Paid eligible NASE membership required; no separate application fee confirmed