By: Garrison Chura
With the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) running its course at the end of May, it is important to be aware of grants and programs that may help small franchise business owners during our continued recovery from the pandemic. A helpful starting point is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s list of supported small business grants and programs. The thirty-three listings cover general, identity-dependent, and industry-specific opportunities that are important to review your applicability for. If you would like to review all government grant opportunities, click here.
Certain programs, such as the 8(a) Business Development Program and the Community Navigator Pilot Program, target disadvantaged groups, while others have more narrow parameters. There are four specifically for women-owned businesses, two for owners who identify as a minority woman.
Furthermore, there are two grants that address the needs for underutilized and hardest hit regions in the country. Service-disabled veteran-owned businesses also have a listing for themselves to take advantage of: the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program.
Looking on to a non-pandemic world, three grants also focus on healthcare and technological research, while one is specifically for the assistance of small business opportunities in foreign markets.
IFA also encourages our members to see further opportunities with the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The EIDL has offered our members critical funding to sustain current operations.
Assistance for more niche sectors is represented as well. Business owners within the industries of natural resources and surplus property, art, and theaters and museums will find opportunities for aid. The remaining listings are below:
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All Disadvantaged Groups |
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Description |
Amount |
Due |
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8(a) Business Development Program |
Certified 8(a) |
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Underutilized areas |
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Description |
Amount |
Due |
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USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program |
Rural business, less than 50 workers, and less than $1 million in gross revenue |
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HUBZone Program |
Underutilized geographical area |
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Minority Owned |
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Description |
Amount |
Due |
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U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) |
Minority owned |
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Minority Women Owned |
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Description |
Amount |
Due |
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The Galaxy Grant |
Minority women owned |
$2,750 and referral program |
Winner announced June 30th |
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Black Founder Startup Grant |
Black and multiracial women and nonbinary entrepeneurs |
Up to $10,000 |
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Women Owned |
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Description |
Amount |
Due |
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Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program |
Women owned |
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Amber Grant Foundation |
Women Owned |
$10,000 each month and an additional $25,000 grant each December |
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IFundWomen COVID-19 Relief Fund |
Women owned |
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Stacy’s Rise Project |
Women owned |
$10,000 and mentorship program |
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Veteran Owned |
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Description |
Amount |
Due |
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Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program |
Must be over 50% owned or controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans |
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Research Topics |
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Description |
Amount |
Due |
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National Institute of Health |
For the continued scientific research of COVID-19 related topics and biomedical technology. |
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Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) |
Participation in federal research with high potential of commercialization |
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Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) |
R&D innovation with the benefit of collaborating with research institutions |
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Entertainment and Artistry |
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Description |
Amount |
Due |
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Shuttered Venue Operators Grant |
Theaters and museums |
45% of 2019 gross revenue or $10 million, whichever is less |
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Artwork Archive’s Art Business Accelerator Grant |
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$2500 and business training |
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The Halstead Grant |
New silver jewelry designers |
$7,500 in start-up capital and $1,000 in merchandise |
August 1st, 2021 |
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Foreign Trade Topics |
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Description |
Amount |
Due |
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U.S. Small Business Administration State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) |
Funding to state and local government to support small businesses in globalizing activities |
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All Apply |
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Description |
Amount |
Due |
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U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) |
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GoFundMe Small Business Relief Fund |
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Will match $500 grants from business’ GoFundMe |
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KKR Small Business Builders |
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Up to $10,000, mentoring training, and network accessibility |
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National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants |
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Up to $4,000 to assist with training, marketing and more |
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SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund |
Restaurants and other food establishments |
Up to $10 million |
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Save Small Business Initiative |
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Provide guidance on financial assistance programs and resources |
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Dream Big Awards |
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$25,000 |
July 16th, 2021 |
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Resources Topics |
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Description |
Amount |
Due |
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Natural Resource Sales Assistance Program |
Timber and related forest products, strategic materials, royalty oil, leases involving to minerals, coil, oil, and gas, and surplus real and personal property |
Natural resource and surplus property subsidies and training |
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