Small businesses in commercial districts can apply for grants to enhance their storefronts.
In a bid to support local businesses, several cities and organizations have announced grant programs to help small businesses thrive. Here's a roundup of the current small business grant programs available in various locations across the United States.
**New York City**
CitizensNYC's Neighborhood Business Grant offers microgrants of up to $5,000 to small businesses that have been operating for at least two years, have 10 or fewer employees, are profit-generating, and demonstrate community impact. The application deadline is February 7, 2025. Additionally, Citizens Committee for NYC offers direct cash grants for neighborhood businesses supporting quality of life improvements, and other opportunities like the DoorDash Accelerator, which provides $10,000 grants with education and support, and Hello Alice, which offers periodic grants between $5,000 and $25,000.
**San Antonio, Cincinnati, Spartanburg County, New Jersey, Miami**
The Backing Small Businesses Grant Program 2025, supported by American Express and Main Street America, is open to small businesses across all states and counties, including these locations. It offers grants from $1,000 to $10,000, with some enhancement grants up to $30,000 for successful recipients who complete projects. The application deadline is July 31, 2025.
**All States (Nationwide)**
Programs like the Freed Fellowship Grant provide monthly $500 grants plus business feedback and community membership. Hustler's Microgrant offers $1,000 monthly grants nationwide. The Secretsos™ Small Business Grant offers $2,500 to entrepreneurs (excluding Florida and New York). ZenBusiness $5K Grant Program for new business owners operating for 3-6 months operates across the U.S. with applications open through December 31, 2025.
**Spartanburg County, South Carolina**
OneSpartanburg has pledged millions of dollars over the next five years to support small businesses in Spartanburg County. So far, Power Up Spartanburg has awarded $500,000 in small business loans and grants. The program provides educational programs and resources for entrepreneurs, and 30 percent of all funding is earmarked for women and minority-owned businesses.
**New Jersey**
The New Jersey Small Business Development Center received a SSBCI Grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Rutgers Business School's NJSBDC Network will facilitate the program, which provides legal services, accounting assistance, and financial advisory services.
**Miami**
The Miami Foundation received a $20 million grant through Wells Fargo's Open for Business Fund. The foundation will distribute funds from the grant to local nonprofits and businesses, offering microgrants of up to $20,000 and low-interest loans of between $1,000 and $100,000.
**Cincinnati**
Main Street Ventures, a Cincinnati startup booster, provides grants to local businesses. The organization started providing grants to businesses in 2018 and has since distributed over $3 million to more than 100 companies. Main Street Ventures runs a quarterly grant program, allowing eligible businesses to apply for more funding going forward.
**San Antonio**
The city of San Antonio expanded eligibility areas for the Facade Improvement Grant Program to reach more businesses. The program includes projects like landscaping and signage upgrades. Interested businesses can fill out an intake form online to determine what funding opportunities they may qualify for. The new deadline to apply for the San Antonio Facade Improvement Grant Program is October 31.
For specific small business grant information for San Antonio, Cincinnati, Spartanburg County, New Jersey, or Miami, the best currently available is the nationwide Backing Small Businesses Grant Program. Business owners are encouraged to research and apply for grants that best suit their needs and locations.
- The Backing Small Businesses Grant Program 2025, offered nationwide, supports businesses in various locations such as New York City, San Antonio, Cincinnati, Spartanburg County, New Jersey, and Miami, providing grants ranging from $1,000 to $30,000.
- In addition to the Backing Small Businesses Grant Program, other national opportunities include the Freed Fellowship Grant offering monthly $500 grants, Hustler's Microgrant providing $1,000 monthly grants, Secretsos™ Small Business Grant offering $2,500 to entrepreneurs (excluding Florida and New York), and ZenBusiness $5K Grant Program for new business owners operating for 3-6 months.
