Small-business grants - April 2026
The latest Voice of Main Street report, a quarterly survey of members of the Small Business Majority network, found that 64% of the small-business owners surveyed said their expenses have risen over the past three months — and 4% said revenue has declined over the same period.
According to Small Business Majority, most of the group's members are business owners with fewer than 10 employees.
Some of the noted costs were tariff-related, with 30% of the surveyed owners saying they have paid tariffs as part of their business expenses. Additionally, 71% of the respondents said their health-care premiums have increased over the last year, serving as another draw on their resources.
“Small businesses today are facing a perfect storm of challenges that are impacting not just their profitability but their survival,” said Alexis D’Amato Falvey, Small Business Majority's senior director of federal government affairs, in a statement. “If nothing is done, we may soon see a mass extinction on Main Street.”
For business owners looking for additional funding, especially during challenging times, we have gathered up small-business grants currently open for applications.
Intuit Quickbooks offers $20,000 grant program
The Intuit Quickbooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program recognizes small-business owners who have shown “courage, perseverance and integrity” in their communities with a $20,000 grant.
Three businesses will be recognized with grants and also will receive access to Quickbooks and Mailchimp services. Applicants must be U.S.-based businesses that have been in operation for at least a year, be registered with their local secretary of state, and have no more than 99 employees.
Applications are accepted across four “phases” throughout the year. The next application deadline is May 15.
Beauty industry small-business grants
The NAACP and the L’Oréal Inclusive Beauty Fund are aiming to award six grants of $25,000 each to entrepreneurs in the beauty industry. Applicants must be for-profit businesses that include but are not limited to salons, spas, barber shops, stylists, makeup artists, entrepreneurs, startup founders, hair-care specialists and beauty schools.
Applications are due April 23. Winners will be announced in May.
The Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant
This program awards $20,000 in $1,000 micro-grants to 20 moms who own businesses. To be eligible, the business’ annual revenue should not be more than $5 million, and it should have between two and 100 employees. All founders must identify as mothers. Applications are due April 14.
Amber Grant offers monthly and annual awards
The Amber Grant program was created in 1998 to empower women business owners. Every month, WomensNet awards three $10,000 grants to women-owned businesses. A $50,000 grant is given to one of the monthly award winners at the end of the year.
A business must be at least 50% women-owned and must operate in the United States or Canada to be eligible. The deadline to apply is the last day of the month by midnight.
Additional grants business owners can apply for throughout 2026 include:
Verizon's Small Business Digital Ready program: Business owners who sign up for the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready online community will be eligible to apply for grants throughout the year. The company provides up to $1 million in grant funding a year.
The National Science Foundation: The National Science Foundation’s America’s Seed Fund provides millions in grant funding to small businesses and startups with big ideas. The grant program gives out roughly $200 million per year to eligible businesses.
The National Association for the Self-Employed: The National Association for the Self-Employed has a $4,000 growth grant that it offers on a rolling basis. Only members are eligible.
