14 Grants for Black Owned Businesses to Apply for in September

September is here, bursting with opportunities for black-owned businesses to rise and expand. Grant season is heating up, and the doors to growth, innovation, and leadership are opening daily. We’ve lined up 15 grants this month to help your business reach new heights—ready, set, go claim the resources waiting for you!

14 Grants for Black-Owned Businesses to Apply For

1. Secretsos™ Small Business Grant

This $2,500 grant supports U.S. entrepreneurs aged 21 and up in most states (excluding AK, FL, HI, NY, RI), helping fund early-stage growth. Managed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Secretsos promotes equity by backing everyday entrepreneurs.

• Deadline: September 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CST

• Amount: $2,500

• Audience: U.S. entrepreneurs, 21+, most states

2. Hustler’s MicroGrant

A $1,000 monthly microgrant offering fast, flexible funding for entrepreneurs to scale or stabilize their small businesses. Featured by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as an accessible boost for emerging founders.

• Deadline: Monthly; next window by September 30, 2025

• Amount: $1,000

• Audience: U.S. small business entrepreneurs

3. AT&T She’s Connected Small Business Contest

AT&T awards $50,000 plus tech support and exposure to one small business, with four runners-up earning $5,000 each. In partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the initiative empowers women and minority entrepreneurs.

• Deadline: September 30, 2025

• Amount: $50,000 grand prize; $5,000 for each of four runners-up

• Audience: U.S. small businesses (≤ 50 employees)

4. Poker Power x IFW “Power Play” Grant

This is IFundWomen’s largest grant ever—a winning entrepreneur receives $100,000, plus six months of IFW coaching, four mentorship sessions with Poker Power founder Jenny Just, and a strategic four-week poker training course to sharpen leadership skills and decision-making. Powered by Poker Power and IFundWomen, this grant blends business growth with mindset training through poker as a metaphor for strategic thinking.

• Deadline:  September 26, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. EST

• Amount: $100,000 grant; six months of coaching (approx. $2,400); four mentorship sessions; four-week poker strategies class

• Audience: Legal residents of the U.S. (excluding Arizona), age of majority in their state

5. Media Projects Using Innovative Technology Grant

A $100,000 grant supporting digital and immersive media creations, especially those by Indigenous-led teams. Curated by The Grant Portal, this opportunity connects creatives with substantial funding.

• Deadline: September 4, 2025

• Amount: $100,000

• Audience: Digital/immersive media creators, especially Indigenous-led

6. DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund

The DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund, in partnership with Hello Alice, offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to small businesses—including restaurants, flower shops, liquor stores, convenience stores, pet stores, and local grocery stores—that have experienced revenue loss due to natural disasters, severe weather events, or major infrastructure failures.

• Deadline: September 29, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. ET

• Amount: $5,000–$15,000

• Eligibility: For-profit businesses located in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico), employing fewer than 50 people per location, with revenues of $3 million or less per location in 2024, and have been open for at least six months. Applicants must be the leading executive (Founder, CEO, President, etc.) and at least 18 years old (19 in AL and NE).

7. Cedar City Job Creation Incentive

An incentive program for Cedar City businesses that create and retain high-wage positions, aiming to bolster local economic development. Funded by Cedar City Corporation.

• Deadline: September 30, 2025 (pre-application)

• Amount: Up to $30,000

• Audience: Businesses in Cedar City creating high-wage jobs

8. Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Designed to equip underrepresented individuals for construction trades via pre-apprenticeship training. Operated by Illinois DCEO to create inclusive access to infrastructure careers.

• Deadline: September 1, 2025

• Amount: Not specified

• Audience: Underrepresented aspirants entering construction trades in Illinois

9. DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund (Los Angeles County)

Grant of $10,000 for restaurant owners in LA County impacted by disasters, designed to support business recovery. Sponsored by DoorDash and highlighted by Malibu Rebuilds.

• Deadline: September 29, 2025, at 6 p.m. ET

• Amount: $10,000

• Audience: Restaurant owners in LA County affected by disasters

10. StartHer Grant (Texas)

Ten Texas-based businesses (51%+ women-owned) receive $5,000 each to accelerate innovation and growth. Managed by the Center for Women Entrepreneurs at Texas Woman’s University.

• Deadline: September 26, 2025

• Amount: $5,000 (10 awards)

• Audience: Women-owned businesses in Texas (51%+ ownership)

11. Women Investing in Women Grants

An initiative by The Women's Fund of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, offering grants to women entrepreneurs in Herkimer and Oneida Counties to support business growth and development.

• Deadline: September 30, 2025

• Amount: Up to $5,000

• Audience: Women-owned businesses in Herkimer and Oneida Counties

12. High Five Grant for Moms (Mama Ladder)

This grant awards up to $10,000 to mompreneurs (including foster, step, and expecting moms), with tiered runner-up prizes. Mama Ladder supports entrepreneurial moms balancing family and business.

• Deadline: September 30, 2025

• Amount: $10,000 (grand prize), $5,000, $2,500, and 5x $1,000

• Audience: U.S. women caregivers / entrepreneurs

13. Cedar City Job Creation Incentive

An incentive program for Cedar City businesses that create and retain high-wage positions, aiming to bolster local economic development. Funded by Cedar City Corporation.

• Deadline: September 30, 2025 (pre-application)

• Amount: Up to $30,000

• Audience: Businesses in Cedar City creating high-wage jobs

14. Freed Fellowship Grant

The Freed Fellowship awards $500 monthly and up to $2,500 annually to hardworking entrepreneurs. The initiative pairs funding with mentorship, supported by LegalZoom’s small-biz outreach.

• Deadline: Monthly, including September 2025

• Amount: $500/month, up to $2,500/year

• Audience: U.S. small business owners