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31 Grants for Black Owned Businesses to Apply for in September
- Dacia Petrie
- Aug 19
- 8 min read
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!
31 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
16. Galaxy Grant
A fast, free microgrant ($2,950) for women and minority entrepreneurs, Black-owned included, made simple with a 30-second application. Held by Hidden Star’s Galaxy of Stars initiative.
Deadline: September 30, 2025
Amount: $2,950
Audience: Women & minority (including Black) business owners
17. HerRise Microgrant
This $1,000 monthly microgrant targets women of color business owners (51%+ ownership, under $1M revenue), with a deadline of the month’s end. Sponsored by Yva Jourdan Foundation and HerSuiteSpot.
Deadline: September 30, 2025
Amount: $1,000/month
Audience: Women of color-owned (incl. Black) businesses
18. Wish Local Empowerment Program
Offers $500–$2,000 to Black-owned brick-and-mortar businesses (≤ 20 employees, <$1M revenue), paired with access to Wish’s platform. Continuing through September 2025.
Deadline: Rolling (through at least Sept 16, 2025)
Amount: $500–$2,000
Audience: Black-owned small brick-and-mortar businesses
19. Women Founders Grant
Women Founders Grant awards $5,000 merit-based grants to women founders and business owners. "Women are desperately underfunded yet have an abundance of talent and grit” 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
20. 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
21. 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/ September 2025
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
22. Cobb County Entrepreneurship Grant
The Cobb County Entrepreneurship Grant offers financial support to early-stage businesses within Cobb County, Georgia, aiming to stimulate venture growth, job creation, and business retention.
Deadline: Applications accepted on an open cycle until funds are depleted.
Amount: Up to $10,000.
Eligibility: Businesses located in Cobb County, operational for no more than 7 years, with a current business license and proof of participation in an entrepreneurial program within the last 5 years.
Use of Funds: Marketing, equipment, technology, operational expenses, and leasehold improvements.
Ineligible Uses: Home-based businesses, non-profits, franchises, businesses selling alcohol, and lending or investment activities.
23. Skills for Small Business Program (Texas)
This program provides funding to Texas small businesses for employee training, helping enhance workforce skills, increase productivity, and improve competitiveness. Businesses can receive financial assistance to train both new and incumbent full-time employees through approved training providers.
Deadline: Rolling until funds are depleted
Amount: Up to $2,000 per new employee and $1,000 per incumbent employee
Audience: Texas-based businesses with fewer than 100 employees
24. Giving Joy Grants – Asia, Oceania & The Caribbean
These grants support women-led initiatives across Asia, Oceania, and the Caribbean, funding projects that empower women, girls, and families and create clear social or economic benefits in the community.
Deadline: September 30, 2025
Amount: Up to $500 USD
Audience: Women aged 18+ in Asia, Oceania, and the Caribbean
25. StreetShares Foundation Veteran Small Business Award
This award, now managed by the Second Service Foundation, supports veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs by providing grants to help grow their businesses. Awards range from $2,000 to $5,000, with winners selected based on their business idea, use of funds, and impact on the military community. Applications typically open in October each year.
Deadline: October 2025 (exact date TBA)
Amount: Up to $5,000
Audience: U.S.-based veteran or military spouse-owned small businesses
26. Outta Excuses Small Business Empowerment Grant
This grant supports small business owners and non-profit organizations (501(c)(3)) by providing financial assistance and strategic coaching to help them start, structure, brand, scale, or fund their dreams. The initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs to achieve success without burning out.
Deadline: September 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST
Amount: $3,000 quarterly grant; $10,000 bonus grant awarded in September 2025
Audience: Small business owners and non-profit organizations (501(c)(3)) in the United States, District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico
27. YippidiDoo Big Idea Grant
This monthly grant supports women entrepreneurs in the U.S. by providing $1,000 to invest in their business or idea. Each month, two grants are awarded: one for a for-profit woman-owned business and one for a non-profit woman-owned business. Recipients also gain access to a success mindset coaching group to further support their growth.
Deadline: Rolling monthly
Amount: $1,000 grant
Audience: Women entrepreneurs aged 18+ in the U.S.
28. Innovate Artist Grants
This program supports artists and photographers through quarterly $1,800 grants, distributed to one visual artist and one photographer each cycle. The grants aim to provide financial support to help artists advance their creative projects. Applications are open four times a year: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. The application process is straightforward, allowing artists to spend more time on their work and less on paperwork.
Deadline: Rolling quarterly deadlines; specific dates vary by cycle
Amount: $1,800 grant per cycle
Audience: Artists and photographers worldwide; applicants must be 18 years or older
29. Awesome Foundation Grants
The Awesome Foundation is a global community advancing the interest of awesomeness in the universe, $1,000 at a time. Each fully autonomous chapter supports awesome projects through micro-grants, usually given out monthly. These micro-grants, $1,000 or the local equivalent, come out of the pockets of the chapter's "trustees" and are given on a no-strings-attached basis to people and groups working on awesome projects. The Foundation provides these grants with no strings attached and claims no ownership over the projects it supports.
Deadline: Rolling monthly deadlines; specific dates vary by chapter
Amount: $1,000 grant
Audience: Individuals, groups, and organizations worldwide
30. Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program (SIFP)
This program, in partnership with Empire State Development, supports small, certified suppliers in New York by providing access to capital, educational resources, and funding readiness assessments. Selected businesses can receive a $5,000 unrestricted grant to help grow and scale their operations.
Deadline: Rolling applications; specific dates vary
Amount: $5,000 unrestricted grant
Audience: New York-based certified suppliers (MBE, WBE, DBE, DVBE, VOSB, LGBTBE, 8a, SDB, SBA, etc.)
31. Faire Small Business Grant
This grant supports U.S.-based retail businesses that opened within the past year or plan to open this year by providing Faire.com credit to help stock their store. Winners are selected based on their store vision, financial details, and a short video explaining how the grant would help their business.
Deadline: September 30, 2025
Amount: $5,000 in Faire.com credit
Audience: U.S.-based retail businesses new in 2025
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