15 Grants for Black Owned Businesses to Apply for in October

October is your momentum month. Whether you're building, scaling, or pivoting, funding can unlock your next big move. That’s why we’ve rounded up 15 grant opportunities designed to fuel Black-owned businesses with capital, confidence, and clarity. From innovation to impact, these grants are here to back your brilliance. Ready to find the one that fits your vision? Let’s dive in.

15 Grants for Black-Owned Businesses to Apply For

1. Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Business Grant

This $25,000 grant supports U.S. military veteran entrepreneurs leading small businesses with 2–100 employees and under $5 million in annual revenue. Managed by The StreetShares Foundation and backed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the grant promotes veteran entrepreneurship and small business resilience.

Deadline: October 7, 2025

Amount: $25,000

Audience: U.S. veteran small business owners with 2–100 employees and <$5M annual revenue

2. Walmart Spark Good Local Grants

Walmart offers this grant program to support local community-focused nonprofits and organizations. Awards range from $250 to $5,000 and are intended to support community impact projects, with funding allocated by local Walmart and Sam’s Club facilities.

Deadline: October 15, 2025

Amount: $250 – $5,000

Audience: U.S. local nonprofits and community organizations

3. Blue Economy Pitch Contest (Cape Cod)

This fall pitch competition supports early-stage entrepreneurs innovating in the "blue economy" (marine, aquatic, coastal industries). Hosted in Cape Cod, MA, this event awards funding and business support to high-potential ideas that benefit the ocean economy and sustainability.

Deadline: October 6, 2025

Amount: Varies (typically $5,000–$20,000 in prize value)

Audience: Early-stage U.S. entrepreneurs with marine/coastal business ideas

4. HerRise Micro-Grant

This $1,000 micro-grant supports Black women and women of color entrepreneurs in the U.S., providing funding for business essentials such as marketing, supplies, or technology. Powered by the Yva Jourdan Foundation and HerSuiteSpot.

Deadline: Rolling (reviewed monthly, including October 2025)

Amount: $1,000

Audience: U.S.-based businesses owned by women of color

5. AAUW Career Development Grant

This grant provides up to $8,000 to support U.S. women pursuing additional education, certifications, or credentials to advance or pivot in their careers—especially in traditionally underrepresented fields like STEM or business.

Deadline: October 7, 2025

Amount: Up to $8,000

Audience: U.S.-based women with a bachelor’s degree, seeking career advancement or change

6. StreetShares Foundation Veteran Small Business Award

This grant supported veteran-owned businesses through monthly competitions. The awards were designed to help small businesses grow, improve operations, or increase community impact. Now operated by the Second Service Foundation, it targeted early-stage and growing veteran-led businesses.

Deadline: Rolling (monthly cycles in past years)

Amount: $2,000–$5,000 (first place: $5,000; second: $3,000; third: $2,000)

Audience:U.S. military veterans, active duty, reservists, or military spouses; must own at least 50% of a legally registered U.S. business

7. Amber Grant Monthly Start-Up Grant

Amber Grant offers an additional grant opportunity: the WomensNet Startup Grant. We define a “startup” as a business still in the idea phase or one with minimal sales (under $10,000). While startups are eligible for our monthly Amber Grants, they created this additional grant to support this underserved sector.Monthly winners also qualify for the year-end $25,000 Amber Grant.

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: Rolling; Monthly

8. Hustler’s Micro-Grant

This micro-grant awards $1,000 to entrepreneurs actively building and growing their businesses. Focused on doers and self-starters, the program helps cover tools, marketing, or launch expenses.

Deadline: Rolling (including October 2025)

Amount: $1,000

Audience: U.S. small business owners and startup founders

9. NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant

This $25,000 grant supports Black entrepreneurs across industries who are working to build and grow sustainable businesses. The grant is part of a partnership between the NAACP and Shopify to close funding gaps for Black founders.

Deadline: Opens October 24, 2025; Closes November 1, 2025

Amount: $25,000

Audience: U.S.-based Black entrepreneurs or Black-owned businesses

10. Entreprenista × Bill $2,500 Giveaway

This $2,500 grant supports U.S. e-commerce businesses with at least one founder who identifies as BIPOC or a woman. A collaboration between Entreprenista and Bill.com, the program aims to fuel inclusive business growth in the digital economy. It is designed to support underrepresented founders building or scaling online businesses.

Deadline: October 1, 2025

Amount: $2,500

Audience: U.S.-based e-commerce businesses; at least one founder must identify as BIPOC or woman

11. Women Founders Grant

Women Founders Grant awards $5,000 merit-based grants to women founders and business owners. Short listed candidates will be contacted after application deadline. Nominal application fee $25 will be applied to our grants

Awarded on a rolling basis with deadline posted above.

No strings attached.

Just belief in you.

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: Year-Round/Rolling

12. SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant

A grant from the SoGal Foundation, in partnership with Winky Lux, bluemercury, twelveNYC, Twilio, and other sponsors, providing cash awards and tactical support to help Black women and Black nonbinary entrepreneurs scale their businesses. Awardees also receive guidance navigating the fundraising environment to increase their chances of building the next billion-dollar business.

Deadline: Rolling

Amount: $10,000 (some grants may also be $5,000)

Audience: Black women and Black nonbinary entrepreneurs with legally registered businesses and scalable, high-impact ideas seeking investor-backed growth

13. Skip $10,000 Growth Grant

Skip offers this grant program aimed at small businesses and startups looking to accelerate their growth and expand their operations. The $10,000 grant can be used for a variety of business needs, including marketing, product development, hiring, and other operational expenses. This opportunity is designed to empower entrepreneurs by providing critical funding to help scale their businesses and increase their market presence.

Deadline: October 31, 2025

Amount:$10,000

Audience:Small businesses and startups across the U.S.

14. AFNet Flexible Grant

The AFNet Flexible Grant provides up to $5,000 in funding to support Black women and nonbinary individuals leading innovative projects, businesses, or community initiatives. Offered by the African Women’s Network (AFNet), this grant is designed to provide flexible financial support without restrictions on how funds are used. Applicants must demonstrate alignment with AFNet’s mission to empower, uplift, and invest in Black women and nonbinary people.

• Deadline: October 31, 2025

• Amount: $5,000

• Audience: Black women and nonbinary individuals leading community-centered or entrepreneurial work.

  
  

15. Braiding Seeds Fellowship – Soul Fire Farm

The Braiding Seeds Fellowship supports BIPOC beginning farmers through mentorship, professional development, and resources like training funds, seed grants, and stipends. The program helps participants build sustainable farming businesses and connect with a community of growers.

Deadline: October 15, 2025

Amount: Varies (includes training funds, seed grants, and possible stipends)

Audience: BIPOC beginning farmers nationwide

Apply: Braiding Seeds Fellowship