Grants for Small Businesses: The Complete Searchable Database
Grants for small businesses are competitive but real. SBIR/STTR, state economic development programs, and corporate giving are the three most accessible sources.
Small business grants are competitive, but they exist. Unlike loans, grants don't need to be repaid — making them particularly valuable for startups and businesses in capital-intensive early stages. The three most accessible categories are federal programs (especially SBIR/STTR), state economic development grants, and corporate giving programs.
Federal Small Business Grants
The largest federal grant programs for small businesses are SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer). Eleven federal agencies participate — NSF, NIH, DOD, DOE, NASA, USDA, and others. SBIR grants are specifically for R&D: Phase I awards (typically $150,000–$275,000) fund feasibility studies; Phase II awards (up to $2M+) fund full development.
SBIR is for small businesses with under 500 employees, majority American-owned. The technology focus is required — SBIR isn't for restaurants, retail, or service businesses. If your business is doing technical R&D, SBIR is the most significant federal grant available to you.
SBA also runs the Community Advantage program and several other small business support programs — though many SBA programs are loans, not grants.
State Economic Development Grants
Every state has economic development programs that include grants for small businesses. Common categories: rural business development, minority and women-owned business programs, workforce training (often tied to hiring), export assistance, and technology commercialization. Eligibility varies significantly — many state programs require a minimum number of employees, a physical presence in the state, or sector-specific criteria.
freegrantdb.com filters results by geographic scope so you can surface state-specific programs in your area.
Corporate Giving Programs
Major corporations run grant programs targeted at small businesses: Walmart's Local Community Grant, Bank of America's Neighborhood Builders, FedEx Small Business Grant, and many others. These are smaller than federal grants (typically $5,000–$100,000) but more accessible — fewer requirements, shorter applications, and often a faster decision timeline.
Many corporate grants explicitly target women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, or rural businesses. The eligibility filter in freegrantdb.com lets you search by these flags.
What Small Business Grants Won't Cover
Grants rarely fund operating expenses for established businesses. Most are for specific activities: R&D, capital equipment, new hiring, expansion into new markets, or export development. If you need working capital, a loan or revenue-based financing is typically a better fit than a grant search.