44 Grants for Black-Owned Businesses to Apply for in August

August 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 44 grants, pitch competitions, and funding programs currently open to Black-owned businesses in August 2026. Please review each opportunity carefully, including eligibility requirements and application deadlines, before applying.

1. Shophand Small Business Boost Grant

Helps small-business owners overcome operational or technology challenges through unrestricted cash and personalized technical assistance. Support may include automation, marketing technology, software setup, creative services, or operational improvements.

Deadline: August 1, 2026

Amount: $5,000 total—$2,500 cash and $2,500 in services

Audience: U.S.-based, for-profit small businesses with fewer than 50 employees and less than $5 million in annual revenue

2. South Side Pitch

Showcases promising businesses from Chicago’s South Side through a live pitch competition. Finalists receive coaching and compete before judges and community members for cash prizes.

Deadline: August 3, 2026

Amount: More than $40,000 in total prizes

Audience: For-profit businesses located on or serving Chicago’s South Side with fewer than 50 employees.

3. Project W Tech Equity Hub

Provides intensive training, investor preparation, mentorship, workshops, networking, and subsidized travel for women building early-stage technology companies. The program concludes with an opportunity to present to pre-seed investors.

Deadline: August 3, 2026

Amount: Training, investor access and subsidized travel; no guaranteed cash award stated

Audience: Women founders of pre-seed B2B or B2B2C technology companies that have not raised institutional capital.

4. First 5 LA Community Opportunities Flexible Fund

Supports community-led systems-change projects that improve conditions for children from the prenatal stage through age five and their families. Funding may support advocacy, organizing, coalition building and community-driven research addressing poverty, housing insecurity and infant mortality.

Deadline: August 3, 2026

Amount: Up to $70,000

Audience: Los Angeles County nonprofits, fiscally sponsored projects, membership organizations, social-benefit businesses, government entities and tribal organizations with annual budgets below $6 million.

5.  EforAll Business Accelerator Program

Provides a free, 12-week virtual entrepreneurship program featuring business training, mentorship, peer support, office hours, and a final business

ness showcase. It is intended to help founders validate, launch, and grow their businesses.

Deadline: August 6, 2026

Amount: Free accelerator and business support; no guaranteed cash grant stated

Audience: Aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners who can participate in the full virtual program.

6. Allies for Community Business Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Lab

Provides established small businesses with growth capital, coaching, strategic guidance and connections to investors and advisers. Each participating entrepreneur develops and implements a defined growth plan.

Deadline: August 7, 2026

Amount: $20,000

Audience: Eligible businesses operating before January 1, 2024, that generated at least $75,000 in 2025 revenue and are prepared to develop a business-growth strategy

7. CO—100 America’s Top Small Businesses

Recognizes 100 outstanding U.S. businesses across categories including growth, innovation, community impact, customer service, and workplace culture. Honorees receive national exposure, business resources, and consideration for monetary awards.

Deadline: August 7, 2026

Amount: Up to $25,000

Audience: Independently owned U.S. businesses with fewer than 250 employees or less than $20 million in gross revenue in both 2024 and 2025. Application and no-fee entry methods are available under the official rules.

8. SBA Supply Chain Acceleration and Logistics Enablement Program

Funds projects that build or expand regional supply chain networks connecting small manufacturers, suppliers, logistics providers, and other businesses with commercial opportunities.

Deadline: August 7, 2026

Amount: Up to $500,000 per award; approximately $9 million available

Audience: Eligible nonprofit organizations, universities, economic-development organizations, and state or local government entities. This is not a direct grant to an individual small business.

9. Multiple Autism-Tech Accelerator

Provides a 12-week program with mentorship, workshops, office hours, peer sessions, investor introductions and pitch preparation for companies developing scalable solutions for autistic people and their communities.

Deadline: August 7, 2026

Amount: Accelerator support and investor connections; no direct funding guaranteed

Audience: Early-stage startups creating scalable technology, products or services that address needs within the autism community

10. Southern Exposure Alternative Exposure Grant

Provides seed funding for artist-led visual-art projects that are publicly accessible and presented outside traditional arts institutions. Projects should involve or benefit multiple artists in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Deadline: August 10, 2026

Amount: Up to $5,000

Audience: Bay Area individual artists, collectives, informal art spaces and small arts organizations presenting public visual-art projects.

11. Hubspot Grow Getter Grant

Supports an early-stage founder through a pitch competition presented by HubSpot for Startups and Startup Grind. The selected founder receives funding along with promotional exposure and startup visibility.

Deadline: August 7, 2026

Amount: $2,500

Audience: Early-stage, venture-scalable startups that have raised less than $2 million and are already building, testing or selling their products or services.

12. Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME)

Provides funding to expand training, technical assistance, and business-development services for low-income entrepreneurs and microbusiness owners. The program strengthens organizations that help entrepreneurs launch and grow sustainable businesses.

Deadline: August 12, 2026

Amount: $75,000–$400,000

Audience: Eligible nonprofit organizations, tribal organizations, and microenterprise development organizations. This is not a direct grant to individual businesses.

13. Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Fund

Provides capital improvement funding for commercial buildings located within eligible South, Southwest, and West Side business corridors. Funds may be used for renovations, storefront improvements, interior build-outs, and business expansion.

Deadline: August 14, 2026

Amount: Up to $250,000

Audience: Small businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and commercial property owners located within eligible Chicago corridors.

14. Trophy Club Thrive Business Grant

Supports business expansion projects that increase economic activity within Trophy Club, Texas. Funding may assist with relocation, expansion, capital improvements, equipment, or job creation.

Deadline: August 14, 2026

Amount: Varies

Audience: Eligible businesses completing qualified projects within Trophy Club, Texas.

15. SBA Entrepreneurial Development Program Competition

Provides funding for organizations delivering entrepreneurship training, mentoring, counseling, and technical assistance to America's small business community.

Deadline: August 14, 2026

Amount: Varies

Audience: Eligible nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and entrepreneurship support organizations. Not a direct grant to individual businesses.

16. News Creator Corps Trusted Creator Fellowship

Provides journalism training, mentorship, fact-checking education, and a paid fellowship for trusted information creators serving their communities.

Deadline: August 17, 2026

Amount: $5,000 Stipend

Audience: U.S.-based content creators, journalists, educators, and community information providers interested in combating misinformation.

17. Fresno Expanded Access to Arts & Culture Grant

Supports arts organizations, cultural groups, artists, and creative entrepreneurs developing publicly accessible cultural programming throughout Fresno.

Deadline: August 15, 2026 (Eligibility Screening)

Amount: $1,000–$75,000

Audience: Artists, nonprofit organizations, cultural groups, and community organizations serving Fresno, California.

.

18. Rare Beauty LIFT Beauty Accelerator

Provides funding, mentorship, networking, and retail readiness support to early-stage beauty brands founded by entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities.

Deadline: August 21, 2026

Amount: $10,000

Audience: U.S.-based, early-stage beauty brands led by founders from underrepresented communities.

.

19. Amika Rooted in Growth Grant Program

Supports emerging professional haircare founders through capital, strategic mentorship, brand visibility, and industry resources designed to accelerate long-term growth.

Deadline: August 21, 2026

Amount: $50,000

Audience: Professional haircare brands founded by emerging entrepreneurs in partnership with the Fifteen Percent Pledge.

.

20. Money Moves Summit Pitch Competition

Provides funding and national exposure to Black women entrepreneurs competing live during the Money Moves Summit. Finalists pitch before judges for cash awards and increased visibility.

Deadline: August 21, 2026 (Pitch Competition Application)

Amount: $10,000 Total Prize Pool

Audience: Black women entrepreneurs with an existing business. Applicants must register for the Money Moves Summit.

.

21. NC IDEA MICRO Grant

Provides early-stage funding to help North Carolina startups validate business concepts, test products, build customer traction, and reach key milestones. Participants also receive an eight-week educational program and mentorship.

Deadline: August 28, 2026

Amount: $5,000–$20,000

Audience: Brick-and-mortar businesses operating or opening within San Francisco's Inner Sunset neighborhood.

.

22. Money Moves Pitch Competition

Provides funding, mentorship, and national exposure to women entrepreneurs through a live business pitch competition hosted during the Money Moves Summit.

Deadline: August 30, 2026

Amount: $10,000 Total Prize Pool

• 🥇 First Place: $5,000

• 🥈 Second Place: $3,500

• 🥉 Third Place: $1,500

Audience: Women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs with an existing business or scalable business idea.

Supports arts organizations, cultural groups, artists, and creative entrepreneurs developing publicly accessible cultural programming throughout Fresno.

23. Black & Brown Founders Empower Growth Fund

Provides unrestricted funding to help Black and Brown entrepreneurs scale their businesses through hiring, marketing, systems, technology, inventory, and operational improvements.

Deadline: August 31, 2026

Amount: $5,000

Audience: Black and Brown entrepreneurs who have generated revenue within the previous 12 months.

.

24. Women Founders Grant

Provides unrestricted funding to support women entrepreneurs launching or expanding their businesses. Funding may be used for any legitimate business expense.

Deadline: August 31, 2026

Amount: $5,000

Audience: U.S.-based businesses that are at least 51% women-owned and operated.

25. Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge

Supports young entrepreneurs creating businesses or organizations that solve social or environmental challenges. Winners receive funding, global recognition, mentorship, and leadership development.

Deadline: August 31, 2026

Amount: Up to $15,000

Audience: Entrepreneurs ages 18–30 leading a social enterprise, nonprofit, or impact-driven business.

26. SpringWell360 Health Equity Grant

Provides funding for innovative projects advancing health equity through research, education, entrepreneurship, community outreach, or healthcare innovation.

Deadline: August 31, 2026

Amount: $1,000

Audience: Students, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, researchers, nonprofits, and community leaders.

27. Beasley Detroit Small Business Grant Program

Provides advertising packages to help local businesses increase brand awareness, reach new customers, and grow through radio and digital marketing.

Deadline: August 31, 2026

Amount: $10,000 in Advertising

Audience: Small businesses located in Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan that have operated for at least two years.

28. YippityDoo Big Idea Grant

Micro-grant to help launch or grow entrepreneurial ideas.

Deadline: August 31, 2026

Amount: $1,000

Audience: New or early-stage small businesses.

29. 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: August 31 at 11:59 pm

Amount: $1,000

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

30. 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

31. 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.

32. 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

33. Kickstarter x Google Next Wave Fund

Supports underrepresented creators launching technology and gaming projects on Kickstarter through financial backing, education, and promotional support.

Deadline: Rolling

Amount: $10,000 Kickstarter Pledge

Audience: Technology and gaming entrepreneurs launching Kickstarter campaigns.

34. 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.

35. HerRise MicroGrant

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

Deadline: August 31, 2026 (monthly cycle)

Amount: $1,000

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

36. 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.

37. 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).

39. 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

40. 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

41. Galaxy of Stars

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

Deadline: August 31, 2026

Amount: $4,250

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

42. 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.

43. 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..

44. 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.