Best grants for Black-owned businesses in 2026: programs, amounts, and how to apply
Black entrepreneurs face a well-documented funding gap: Black-owned businesses receive less than 2% of venture capital, are approved for bank loans at roughly half the rate of white-owned businesses, and start with significantly less personal capital. Grants offer a critical pathway to close this gap — providing non-repayable funding that doesn't require collateral, credit history, or investor connections. In 2026, more than a dozen programs specifically fund Black-owned businesses, from Comcast RISE's $10,000 monthly grants to the SBA's 8(a) Business Development program. This guide covers every major program with real amounts, eligibility requirements, and application details. For broader options, see our complete small business grants guide.
💰 Largest direct grant: Hello Alice x Progressive ($25,000, multiple rounds/year)
⚡ Best ecosystem: SBA 8(a) Business Development (9-year program with contracting advantages)
🎯 Best for new businesses: National Black MBA Association Scale-Up Pitch Challenge ($50,000)
The funding landscape for Black-owned businesses
The numbers paint a stark picture. According to the Federal Reserve's Small Business Credit Survey, only 13% of Black business owners received the full amount of financing they sought from banks, compared to 40% of white business owners. The Brookings Institution estimates that the average Black-owned business starts with $35,205 in capital — roughly one-third of the $106,720 average for white-owned businesses. These disparities compound over time, making grants and non-traditional funding sources essential for closing the wealth gap.
The good news is that awareness of these disparities has driven significant investment in Black-focused business grants and support programs since 2020. Major corporations including Comcast, Google, Amazon, Paypal, and Bank of America have launched or expanded grant programs specifically targeting Black entrepreneurs. Federal programs like the SBA's 8(a) Business Development and Community Advantage initiatives provide structural support. And organizations like the National Urban League, NAACP, and National Black MBA Association offer both funding and networks.
Comparison: top grants for Black-owned businesses
| Grant Program | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comcast RISE | $10,000 + marketing | Minority-owned; 3+ years; Comcast area | Rolling monthly | Corporate |
| Hello Alice x Progressive | $25,000 | Black-owned; U.S.-based | Multiple rounds/year | Corporate |
| SBA 8(a) Business Development | Federal contracts (set-aside) | Socially/economically disadvantaged; small | Rolling applications | Federal |
| National Black MBA Association Scale-Up | $50,000 (pitch winner) | Black-owned; revenue stage | Annual (fall conference) | Private |
| NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant | $5,000–$25,000 | Black entrepreneurs; NAACP members | Annual | Private |
| PayPal Empowerment Grant | $10,000 | Black-owned businesses | Annual cohorts | Corporate |
| Google for Startups Black Founders Fund | $100,000 (non-dilutive) | Black-led tech startups | Annual | Corporate |
| Fearless Fund (Fearless Strivers Grant) | $10,000 | Women of color-owned businesses | Rolling (legal status ongoing) | Private |
| National Urban League Entrepreneurship Centers | Free services + micro-grants | Urban minority entrepreneurs | Open enrollment | Private |
| Bank of America Breakthrough Lab | $50,000–$100,000 | BIPOC-led social enterprises | Annual (spring) | Corporate |
For help crafting competitive applications, our grant proposal writing guide provides section-by-section templates. Many federal programs listed below are found on Grants.gov — see our complete Grants.gov walkthrough for registration and search instructions. To manage multiple applications, our grant writing software comparison reviews the best platforms for tracking deadlines. For a quick look at the most accessible programs open in 2026, see our top 10 small business grants.
Detailed reviews: top grants for Black-owned businesses
1. Comcast RISE — most accessible and consistent
Comcast RISE (Representation, Investment, Strength, Empowerment) has emerged as one of the most reliable and accessible grant programs for minority-owned businesses. The program distributes $10,000 cash grants plus a comprehensive marketing and technology package to selected businesses each month. Since its launch, Comcast has committed over $110 million to the program and awarded thousands of grants.
The marketing package is significant — it includes a 30-second TV commercial produced by Effectv (Comcast's advertising arm), a technology assessment and upgrade, and ongoing marketing consultation. Many recipients report that the media exposure and marketing support are worth more than the cash grant itself. Eligibility requires your business to be independently owned, in operation for at least three years, and located in a Comcast service area. While the program is open to all minority-owned businesses, it has historically awarded a significant percentage of grants to Black-owned businesses.
2. Hello Alice grant programs
Hello Alice has become one of the most active grant platforms for Black-owned businesses, partnering with major corporations to distribute multiple rounds of funding each year. The Hello Alice x Progressive Insurance partnership has distributed $25,000 grants to dozens of Black-owned businesses annually. Additional partnerships with Verizon, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and others provide grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.
Creating a free Hello Alice profile automatically matches you with relevant grant opportunities as they become available. The platform typically runs 10-15 distinct grant programs per year, many of which specifically target or heavily weight applications from Black-owned businesses. Beyond grants, Hello Alice provides free business resources, templates, and a community network of over 1 million entrepreneurs. Register at HelloAlice.com.
3. SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
The SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program is not a grant in the traditional sense — it's a 9-year business development program that provides participating businesses with access to sole-source federal contracts, management and technical assistance, mentorship, and the ability to form joint ventures with established firms. For qualifying businesses, the value can easily reach millions of dollars over the program's duration.
To qualify, your business must be at least 51% owned by a U.S. citizen who is socially and economically disadvantaged. Black Americans are presumed to be socially disadvantaged under the program's regulations. Your business must also be a small business by SBA size standards, in operation for at least two years (though the SBA can waive this), and demonstrate potential for success. Apply through certify.SBA.gov.
4. Google for Startups Black Founders Fund
Google for Startups has committed $10 million to its Black Founders Fund in North America, providing non-dilutive awards of up to $100,000 to Black-led tech startups. Beyond cash, recipients receive Google Cloud credits (up to $200,000), one-on-one mentorship from Google executives, and participation in the Google for Startups community. The fund has supported over 150 Black-led startups since its launch and has been expanded with additional cohorts.
Eligibility is focused on tech startups — your business should be technology-enabled, Black-led, and based in the United States or Canada. The program is highly competitive, but the combination of non-dilutive capital, Google Cloud credits, and network access makes it one of the most valuable programs for Black tech founders. Applications open annually; check Google for Startups for current timelines.
5. National Black MBA Association Scale-Up Pitch Challenge
The NBMBAA Scale-Up Pitch Challenge awards $50,000 to the winning Black entrepreneur at the organization's annual conference. The competition involves a live pitch to a panel of investors and executives, with opportunities for finalist businesses to connect with corporate partners and investors beyond the prize money. The NBMBAA conference itself provides extensive networking with Black business leaders, corporate sponsors, and potential mentors. The application typically opens in the summer, with the pitch competition held at the fall conference.
6. Fearless Fund and its current legal status
The Fearless Fund, co-founded by Arian Simone, launched the Fearless Strivers Grant Contest providing $10,000 grants to businesses owned by women of color. The fund also operates a venture capital arm that has invested in dozens of Black and brown women-led startups. However, as of 2024-2025, the Fearless Fund has faced legal challenges from the American Alliance for Equal Rights, which argues that race-based grant programs violate the Civil Rights Act. As of early 2026, the legal situation remains in flux — the grant program has been paused or modified while litigation proceeds.
7. PayPal Empowerment Grant
PayPal's Empowerment Grant provides $10,000 in funding to Black-owned businesses as part of the company's broader commitment of $535 million to support Black and underserved communities. The program accepts applications in annual cohorts and provides both cash and PayPal platform credits. Recipients also gain access to PayPal's merchant network and promotional opportunities. Check PayPal's grant page for current application windows.
Black tech founders should also explore our startup grants guide for SBIR/STTR programs, and Black veterans can layer these programs with those in our veteran business grants guide. For state-specific programs, see our Ohio small business grants and California small business grants guides, both of which include minority-focused tracks. For education-focused initiatives, our education grants guide covers programs like the Gates Millennium Scholars. For nonprofit organizations serving Black communities, our nonprofit grants guide maps additional funding sources.
Amazon FBA sellers can find specialized tool reviews at BagEngine's FBA tools guide, and AI writing tools can help polish grant proposals — see Nesyona's AI tool reviews for options. For free courses that build business skills, EduBracket's free course guide lists entrepreneurship and finance courses. USDA programs also prioritize socially disadvantaged farmers — see our USDA agriculture grants guide for details.
Additional funding resources for Black entrepreneurs
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
The MBDA is the only federal agency dedicated to fostering the growth of minority-owned businesses. While the MBDA doesn't provide direct grants to individual businesses, it operates Business Centers in major cities that provide free business consulting, access to capital, access to contracts, and connections to grant programs. MBDA Business Centers maintain current databases of funding opportunities for minority entrepreneurs. Find your nearest center at MBDA.gov.
National Urban League Entrepreneurship Centers
The National Urban League's Entrepreneurship Centers provide business training, mentorship, access to capital, and micro-grants to urban entrepreneurs, with a focus on Black communities. Programs vary by location but typically include a structured business accelerator, one-on-one coaching, access to lending partners, and connections to local grant programs. With chapters in over 90 cities, the Urban League provides one of the most accessible entry points to business support.
CDFIs focused on Black communities
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) provide affordable loans and, in some cases, micro-grants to businesses in underserved communities. CDFIs with strong Black community focus include: the National Development Council, the Opportunity Finance Network, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and numerous local CDFIs. These organizations offer loans at below-market rates with more flexible qualification requirements than traditional banks. Many CDFIs also administer micro-grant programs funded by corporate partners and government agencies.
Who should apply for Black-owned business grants
- Black-owned businesses at any stage, from pre-launch to established
- Businesses that have been operating for 3+ years (qualifies for Comcast RISE and 8(a))
- Tech startups led by Black founders (Google Black Founders Fund, various VC programs)
- Businesses willing to apply to multiple programs simultaneously
- Entrepreneurs who also meet other demographic criteria (women, veterans) — layer multiple programs
- Don't limit yourself to race-specific grants — also apply for general small business grants
- If you're a woman, double up with women's business grants (Amber Grant, IFundWomen, etc.)
- For immediate capital needs, CDFI microloans are faster than grants — apply in parallel
Do I need to prove my race to apply for these grants?
Are these grants affected by the Fearless Fund lawsuit?
Can I apply if my business is co-owned with a non-Black partner?
What's the most money I can realistically get from grants?
Bottom line
Comcast RISE is the best starting point for most Black-owned businesses — monthly applications, straightforward process, and meaningful cash plus marketing support. For maximum long-term value, apply for the SBA 8(a) program — the federal contracting access is worth millions over the 9-year program. Tech startups should prioritize the Google Black Founders Fund. Create a free Hello Alice profile to get matched with rotating corporate grant opportunities. And don't forget to also apply for general small business grants — every program you're eligible for is worth pursuing. Read our grant writing guide →