Finding grants for your small business can feel overwhelming. Thousands of programs exist across federal, state, and private organizations. The good news: the process is straightforward once you know where to look.
This guide walks you through the best strategies for finding small business grants in 2026.
Start with Federal Grant Programs
The federal government is the largest single source of grant funding in the United States. Key programs include:
SBIR and STTR Programs - These programs award over $4 billion annually to small businesses working on research and development. Eleven federal agencies participate, including the NSF, NIH, and DOD. If your business involves technology or innovation, these should be your first stop.
USDA Rural Business Grants - The USDA offers grants for rural businesses through programs like the Rural Business Development Grant and the Value-Added Producer Grant. Businesses in towns with populations under 50,000 often qualify.
SBA Programs - While the SBA is better known for loans, it also administers grant programs for specific groups including women, veterans, and businesses in underserved communities.
Grants.gov - This is the central database for all federal grants. You can search by agency, category, or eligibility. Create an account and set up email alerts for new opportunities that match your business.
Check Your State Programs
Every state has economic development agencies that offer grants to local businesses. Common state-level programs include:
- - Innovation and technology grants
- - Workforce development funding
- - Export assistance programs
- - Minority and women-owned business grants
- - Rural and community development funding
Search your state economic development agency website. Many states also have regional development organizations that manage their own grant programs.
Explore Private and Foundation Grants
Private grants come from corporations, foundations, and nonprofit organizations. These often have less competition than government grants.
Corporate Grants - Companies like FedEx, Visa, and Amazon run annual small business grant competitions. Entry requirements vary but typically involve a business plan or pitch.
Foundation Grants - The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Amber Grant Foundation, and local community foundations all offer business grants. Check the Foundation Directory Online for a searchable database.
Industry-Specific Grants - Trade associations and industry groups often run grant programs for their members. Check with your industry association for current opportunities.
Build a Strong Application
A grant application is only as good as its preparation. Before you apply:
- Read the full grant announcement and eligibility requirements
- Gather all required documents (tax returns, business plan, financial statements)
- Write a clear project narrative that matches the grant objectives
- Get feedback from someone who has won grants before
- Submit well before the deadline
Use Technology to Your Advantage
Manual grant searching takes hours and often misses opportunities. Tools like GrantMatched can match your business profile against thousands of grants in seconds. You answer a few questions about your business, and the AI identifies grants you qualify for based on your location, industry, size, and demographics.
Track Deadlines and Follow Up
Grant programs have strict deadlines. Missing one means waiting months or years for the next cycle. Set up a tracking system for:
- - Application deadlines
- - Required reporting dates
- - Renewal windows
- - New program announcements
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying for grants you do not qualify for. Read eligibility requirements carefully. Wasted applications drain time you could spend on strong matches.
Submitting generic applications. Tailor each application to the specific grant program. Use the language from the grant announcement in your narrative.
Ignoring smaller grants. A $5,000 grant with less competition can be more valuable than a long-shot $500,000 application. Stack multiple smaller grants for bigger impact.
Waiting until you need money. Grant applications take weeks to months to process. Start searching and applying before you face a cash crunch.
Next Steps
The best time to start your grant search is today. Create a profile on GrantMatched to see which grants match your business. The platform pulls from federal, state, and private databases so you get a complete picture of your options in one place.