20 Grants for Black Owned Businesses to Apply for in January

It’s a new year, and while January can feel quiet for grants, don’t be discouraged—opportunities do exist. Many business are easing into their Q1 plans, so now’s the time to prepare, strategize, and get ahead on applications. A few grants are already open, giving you a chance to claim resources early and set the tone for a strong year.

20 Grants for Black-Owned Businesses to Apply For

Overview

1. DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund

Provides financial relief to local businesses impacted by natural disasters. Funds may be used for recovery expenses, repairs, inventory replacement, or operational support.

Deadline: January 5, 2026

Amount: $5,000–$15,000

Audience: U.S.-based local businesses affected by declared disasters.

2. Shophand Small Business Boost Grant

Offers direct funding to support small business growth, operational improvements, or expansion initiatives.

Deadline: Applications open January 1, 2026 (next deadline announced later)

Amount: $5,000

Audience: Small businesses seeking capital to support growth and stability.

3. Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Program

Supports early-stage, under-resourced entrepreneurs through funding, education, and business development resources.

Deadline: January 5, 2026

Amount: Varies (program-based support)

Audience: Early-stage startups and entrepreneurs from under-resourced communities.

4. Sengo Virtual Pitch Event Grant

Awards funding to entrepreneurs who pitch their business ideas during Sengo’s virtual pitch competition.

Deadline: January 10, 2026

Amount: $1,000

Audience: Entrepreneurs and early-stage founders participating in the virtual pitch event.

5. LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers

A global competition offering financial support, mentorship, and industry exposure to emerging fashion designers.

Deadline: January 11, 2026

Amount: Varies (cash prize + mentorship)

Audience: Early-career fashion designers operating globally.

6. Tech for an Equitable Future Grant (Braze)

Provides product and service grants to help startups scale through technology, customer engagement tools, and strategic support.

Deadline: January 16, 2026

Amount: $10,000+ in software and services

Audience: Tech-enabled startups and historically under-resourced founders.

7. American Express Shop Small Grants Program

Delivers funding to help brick-and-mortar small businesses grow, enhance customer experience, or stabilize operations.

Deadline: January 17, 2026

Amount: $20,000

Audience: U.S.-based brick-and-mortar small businesses.

8. HER Agenda Breakthrough Grant

Supports women founders with capital to advance business growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

Deadline: January 18, 2026

Amount: $5,000

Audience: Women-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs.

9. Robust Retail Grant Program (Washington, D.C.)

Provides funding to strengthen retail businesses through improvements in operations, inventory, or physical space.

Deadline: January 20, 2026

Amount: Up to $10,000

Audience: Small retail businesses located in Washington, D.C.

10. LaunchLNK Grant

Helps early stage high-growth startups get established and grow in Lincoln, NE. We provide six qualifying startups with a non-dilutive grant, connections to potential sources of additional capital and mentors, and introductions to local corporations who may become early customers or partners.

Deadline: January 20, 2026

Amount: $20,000

Audience: Startups in Lincoln, Nebraska

11. Amber Grant (Monthly)

Provides monthly funding to support women entrepreneurs in starting, sustaining, or growing their businesses. Funds may be used for general business expenses, marketing, equipment, or operational needs.

Deadline: Monthly (typically the end of each month)

Amount:$10,000(monthly award)

Audience:Women-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs.

12. EmpowHer Grants

Awards multiple grants each cycle to support women entrepreneurs with business expenses, growth initiatives, or operational needs.

Deadline: January 31, 2026

Amount: $10,000

Audience: Women-owned businesses and women founders.

13. January Jumpstart Grant Series (Galaxy of Stars)

A weekly grant series offering cash awards to entrepreneurs throughout the month of January.

Deadline: Weekly deadlines throughout January 2026

Amount: $1,000 (weekly awards)

Audience: Entrepreneurs and small business owners.

14. Wish Local Empowerment Program

Offers micro-grants to support brick-and-mortar businesses with operating expenses, inventory, or marketing.

Deadline: Rolling

Amount: $500–$2,000

Audience: Black-owned brick-and-mortar businesses with fewer than 20 employees and under $1M in revenue.

15. HerRise / HerSuiteSpot MicroGrant

Provides monthly funding to women of color founders to support early-stage and small business needs.

Deadline: Rolling (typically end of month)

Amount: ~$1,000

Audience: Women of color entrepreneurs, including Black women founders.

16. NASE Growth Grants

Supports small business growth through funding for marketing, hiring, expansion, or operational improvements.

Deadline: Rolling (reviewed quarterly)

Amount: Up to $4,000

Audience: Small business owners and entrepreneurs.

17. Freed Fellowship

The Freed Fellowship helps small business owners get the feedback they need to build successful companies that make an impact.

Deadline: Rolling (Monthly)

Amount: $500

Audience: Small business owners & BIPOC entrepreneurs

18. New Ventures Maine

NVME marketing mini-grants are awarded annually through a competitive application process and support the development of marketing tools, materials, and activities. NVME awards cash mini-grants (up to $1,000 per region) to small businesses for current marketing projects.

Deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026 by noon.

Amount: $1000

Audience: Individual microbusiness owners, business partners, or groups of business owners. Businesses apply for the region in which they are based.

19. Zoom Solopreneur Grant

The Zoom Solopreneur 50 (ZSP50) is a first-of-its-kind recognition program spotlighting the individuals proving what a business of one can achieve. These honorees are innovators who combine technology, creativity, and conviction to build resilient, high-impact ventures entirely on their own. 

Deadline: February 13

Amount: $150,000 to 5 slippers

Audience: Solopreneurs and independent business owners.

20. JVS Philadelphia Fund

Provides funding and support to help small businesses and entrepreneurs strengthen operations, workforce development, and long-term sustainability. Funding is often paired with technical assistance, coaching, or business support services.

Deadline: Varies by funding cycle (often rolling or program-specific)

Amount: $25K to $50K

Audience:Small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Greater Philadelphia area.