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Minority-owned business guide

Business Grants for Minority-Owned Businesses: The Complete 2026 Guide

Federal, state, and private grant programs for minority-owned small businesses — including the SBA 8(a) program, MBDA, state MBE set-asides, and private funds. With amounts, eligibility, and links to apply.

Who qualifies

Most programs require 51%+ ownership by one or more individuals from a federally recognized minority group (Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Subcontinent Asian American). Many federal programs also require the owner to demonstrate social and economic disadvantage — the SBA 8(a) program uses a personal net-worth cap.

Certifications that unlock funding

  • SBA 8(a) BD Program — federal sole-source contracts and business development, via certify.sba.gov.
  • State MBE certification — issued by your state's supplier diversity office; unlocks state and municipal set-asides.
  • NMSDC MBE certification — accepted by Fortune 500 corporate supplier diversity programs.

Federal programs

SBA 8(a) Business Development Program

U.S. Small Business Administration

Sole-source contracts up to $4.5M

Eligibility: Small businesses 51%+ owned by socially & economically disadvantaged individuals

Program details

MBDA Business Center Grants

Minority Business Development Agency

Technical assistance + capital access

Eligibility: Minority-owned firms; MBDA Center service areas

Program details

MBDA Capital Readiness Program

Minority Business Development Agency

Grants to intermediaries funding underserved founders

Eligibility: Socially & economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs

Program details

USDA Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant

USDA Rural Development

Up to $200,000

Eligibility: Cooperatives serving socially disadvantaged groups in rural areas

Program details

Private grants for minority founders

NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant

NAACP

$25,000

Eligibility: Black-owned small businesses

Program details

Fearless Fund Grants (multiple programs)

Fearless Fund

$10,000 – $20,000

Eligibility: Black and Latina women founders

Program details

SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant

SoGal Foundation

$5,000 – $10,000

Eligibility: Black women & nonbinary entrepreneurs

Program details

Comcast RISE Investment Fund

Comcast NBCUniversal

$10,000 grant + marketing services

Eligibility: BIPOC-, women-, and other underrepresented-owned small businesses

Program details

National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Grants

NMSDC

Varies by regional council

Eligibility: NMSDC-certified MBEs

Program details

How to apply

  1. Finalize your 8(a) or MBE certification — most programs require it.
  2. Register in SAM.gov to become eligible for federal set-asides.
  3. Build a one-page business summary and use-of-funds breakdown.
  4. Match your business to grants by industry, stage, and demographic set-aside.
  5. Submit before deadline and follow up with the program officer within two weeks.

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