If you are looking for potential grant opportunities for your business, check out our list below. Grants are categorized by type, offering a high-level overview of details such as eligibility requirements, designated purposes, and more. Please click on the grant name to find out more information about the grant or to apply.
Please note: The list provided is not exhaustive and there may be additional grant opportunities available for businesses. It is essential for business owners to conduct further research to determine their eligibility for any specific grants.
For-profit businesses located within BGE's service area ; Existing BGE electric and/or gas customers with good payment history; In good standing with the State of Maryland ; Must have between 2-25 employees (full-time, part-time, contractors); Maximum annual gross revenue - $7 million; Demonstrated need for funding to support business and serve customers.
Self-identify as a Black woman or Black nonbinary entrepreneur (inclusive of multiracial Black women and multiracial Black nonbinary folks) and have a legally registered business plan to seek investor financing in order to scale, now or in the future, have a scalable, high-impact solution or idea with the ambition to be the next billion dollar business.
Business must be owned and operated by a woman of color; Must be located in the U.S, identify as female, and be over the age of 18; Must have annual revenue of $10K or more; Must have a compelling digital presence and supporting media.
Through the Caress Dreams to Reality Fund, 30 women of color founders who qualify will be enrolled in an exclusive 12-week crowdfunding accelerator program to set them up for a successful fundraise on IFundWomen.
Providing a multi-year commitment to marketing, creative, media and technology services to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned small businesses.
Etsy sellers may be eligible for relief funding thanks to CERF+, a nonprofit organization that provides support and preparation resources to artists during emergencies and disasters. This program grants up to $2,500 to Etsy sellers who have been through a natural disaster.
Businesses must be at least 51% WOC owned; Revenue generating (Minimum annual revenue of $100,000 strongly preferred); One to five years in business preferred; Formed under United States law and operating in the United States.
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at the time of application. Applicants must be a veteran, Reservist, National Guardsman, or transitioning active-duty Military Member of any of the United States Armed Forces, the spouse of a Military Member, or the surviving spouse or child of a Military Member who died on active duty (i.e., a “Gold Star” family member). Applicants must be low-income and otherwise lack the financial means to start, or grow, an early-stage business or nonprofit. Applicants must own at least 51% of the business entity described in the application. Business entities, as defined in these rules, include sole proprietorships, legally incorporated LLCs, S-Corps or C-Corps (or formal partnerships) created under the laws of any U.S. jurisdiction. If the Applicant is applying in conjunction with a nonprofit organization, the Applicant must be the organization’s senior executive director or equivalent in order to be eligible for the grant. The nonprofit or business entity will also be evaluated on its positive social, community, educational, military-transition, veterans’ employment, health and wellness, or veterans’ mental health/spiritual impact on the American military and veteran community in addition to or in conjunction with the business or nonprofit functions.
Organizations do not need to be nominated to apply.
They are looking for nonprofit organizations that do work or offer programming that services Black women and/or girls, whether this is their overall organization mission or applies to a specific initiative.
To be eligible, a business must be majority (51%+) owned and operated by a Black-identifying entrepreneur(s), have a demonstrated need for a commercial vehicle, commitment to the local community, and have a clear plan to keep their business moving forward.
There are no specific requirements on how to allocate the funds. However, it is encouraged that you put the money toward keeping your workforce employed, pay rent, operation, and inventory costs, connect to other customers, and provide opportunities to your community.
$500 - $2,000
Black-owned business, with 20 or fewer employees, and brick - and mortar shop in the US. Store must earn an average revenue of under $1 million dollars.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s annual Dream Big Awards seek to recognize small businesses across the country that have helped to grow the overall economy. Small businesses can submit their application for the chance to win a $25,000 grand prize during the Chamber’s Big Week for Small Business.
The ExportMD Program helps to offset some of the costs of marketing internationally for Maryland's small and mid-sized companies.
$5,000 reimbursement
Must have business operations in Maryland and be in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
Applicants must be a small business planning an international business initiative to commence and conclude within six months of the application deadline.
The Maryland Supply Chain Resiliency Program assists Maryland manufacturers that have been adversely affected by COVID with impacts to operations, workforce and/or sales. The Maryland Supply Chain Resiliency Program will include a business assessment and review of a company’s business practices to better understand the impacts on the business and the opportunities to help overcome them.
Rolling applications
To qualify for funding, companies must be able to identify a discrete project effort that will help to expand their supplier base or help their company become a better supplier. Examples include but are not limited to, technical assistance, consulting services, engineering services or training services.
Administered by UMBC and funded by the State of Maryland, the program offers financial assistance to technology-based businesses, as well as state and local agencies, to hire more interns.
The Maryland Technology Internship Program can reimburse employers for up to 50% of an intern’s wage and up to $3,000 annually per intern ($1,800 for the first semester and $1,200 for subsequent semesters).
Internship funding is available to Maryland technology-based businesses and state and local agencies offering paid internships.
PWQ provides matching training grants and support services targeted to improve the competitive position of small and mid-sized manufacturing and technology companies. Grants are used to increase the skills of existing workers for new technologies and production processes, improve employee productivity and increase employment stability.
Applicants should have a minimum of ten full-time employees. At least 60% of available funds must be awarded to employers with 150 or fewer employees in the State. The Program encourages the participation of small and minority-owned businesses.
Priority will be given to manufacturing and technology companies. In regions of the State where regionally important industries have been identified beyond manufacturing and technology, justification should be provided to approve PWQ funding.
Seed Funds are invested in companies that show promise of becoming venture-fundable companies or are companies that, through a seed investment, will be sustainable through customer revenue, follow-on funding, or other forms of the corporate venture.
Rolling applications
Specific Seed Investment Funds are available- Technology Commercialization Fund, Technology Fund, Life Science Fund, and Gap Fund
Early Stage MD Technology companies - For companies applying for their first investment from Builder, all companies must have started operations within five years from the date of the application and investment.
Pre-seed technology start-ups from all industries. However, to be applicable, a company must meet all of the following qualifications: Principal place of business is in Maryland, At least one full-time employee, No less than 50% of founders demonstrate economic disadvantage