Guide for minority-owned businesses

Grants and free programs for Black, Latino, Asian American and Native-owned businesses

What's actually open for minority-owned businesses from major companies, including grants, free plans and accelerators, and which well-known programs have ended.

Updated October 16, 2026 · 7 programs you can use now

Between 2020 and 2023, dozens of big companies launched programs for Black, Latino and other minority-owned businesses. Many have since ended, paused or opened to everyone. Google now lists its Black Founders Fund and Latino Founders Fund as past funds, and Amazon's Black Business Accelerator page now redirects to a general seller page.

What remains is smaller but real. This page lists the programs whose own websites still describe an open or recurring application, with the ones that have ended at the bottom so you don't spend time on them.

Cash grants and founder funds

Money you do not pay back. Some come with credits, coaching or marketing on top.

Apply any timeCash grantWomen-ownedMinority-owned

Black Founder Startup Grant

SoGal FoundationFor businessesNationwide

SoGal Foundation and its sponsors award grants of up to $10,000 to Black women and nonbinary founders building scalable, venture-track businesses, together with help navigating the fundraising environment. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

What you get
Up to $10,000
Who qualifies
  • Founder self-identifies as a Black woman or Black nonbinary entrepreneur
  • Legally registered business
  • Scalable, high-growth business that plans to seek investor financing
  • Rolling applications; only selected applicants are contacted
How to apply

Apply through the program page below; it has the current form and dates.

Go to the program

Program page checked on September 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

Opens in roundsCash grantBlack-owned

NAACP x L'Oréal Inclusive Beauty Fund Grant

L'Oréal USA and NAACPFor businessesNationwide

L'Oréal, in collaboration with Deed, funds $25,000 grants through the NAACP Empowerment Programs for entrepreneurs in the beauty industry; the 2026 round awarded six grants. New or existing beauty businesses such as salons, spas, barber shops, stylists, makeup artists, haircare specialists and beauty schools can apply. The 2026 window ran March 23 to April 23, 2026, with recipients announced in May 2026.

What you get
$25,000 grant (six grants in the 2026 round)
Who qualifies
  • New or existing beauty business of any kind, including salons, spas, barber shops, stylists, makeup artists, entrepreneurs, startup founders, haircare specialists and beauty schools
  • Offered through NAACP's grant programs for Black-owned businesses
  • Full eligibility criteria are in the program's Terms and Conditions
How to apply
  1. Read the Terms and Conditions linked on the NAACP program page for the full eligibility criteria
  2. Apply through the "Apply" button on the program page, which links to the online application on Hello Alice (2026 window: March 23 to April 23, 2026)
  3. Selected candidates are announced after the window closes (May in 2026)
Go to the program

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

Free advertising

Ad credits, ad grants and donated media placement. Credits are spent on the platform, not paid out.

Open now · closes December 31, 2026Free credits or servicesMinority-owned

Spectrum Reach Pay It Forward Grant

Spectrum Reach (Charter Communications)For businesses and nonprofitsLocal programs in 29 states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY

Spectrum Reach's Pay It Forward program gives about 250 local businesses a year a grant worth up to $15,000 in services. The grant can include a 30-second TV commercial, a three-month TV or streaming ad schedule, three months of support from local marketing experts, and educational resources. Applications for 2026 are open until December 31, 2026, to businesses in Spectrum Reach markets.

What you get
Up to $15,000 in Spectrum Reach services: a 30-second TV commercial, a 3-month TV or streaming schedule and marketing support (in-kind, not cash)
Who qualifies
  • Legal US resident, 18 or older, who is the leading executive of a business in an eligible Spectrum Reach market (listed in the Official Rules)
  • Business open and operating for at least one year
  • No advertising with Spectrum Reach in the past 13 months, and not a competitor of Spectrum
  • No active or pending bankruptcy, and not in a restricted advertising category
  • The Official Rules allow a legally registered business or non-profit; the Qualifications page says the business must be for-profit
  • The Qualifications page gives preference to businesses at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by an ethnic or racial minority
How to apply
  1. Check the Qualifications page to confirm your business is in an eligible market and meets the criteria
  2. Complete the application form at spectrumreachpayitforward.com/application, describing how your business would use the grant (one entry per business), by December 31, 2026
  3. If selected (usually within about three months), sign the Grant Claim Documents within ten business days
ApplyProgram details

Checked against Spectrum Reach (Charter Communications)'s own page on October 16, 2026.

Free and discounted software

Donated licences, free paid plans and deep discounts on the tools you would otherwise pay for.

Apply any timeFree credits or servicesBlack-owned

Amplitude Tech for Black Founders

AmplitudeFor businessesNationwide

Through Tech for Black Founders, Amplitude, in partnership with Braze, gives US-based early-stage startups led by Black founders the Amplitude Growth Plan free, for as long as they keep meeting the criteria. Founders apply personally through a form on the program page.

What you get
Amplitude Growth Plan free, with up to 500K monthly tracked users, for as long as the startup meets the criteria. This is a free plan, not cash, and the page gives no dollar value.
Who qualifies
  • Led by one or more Black founders
  • Headquartered in the U.S.
  • Raised less than $30M in venture capital
  • Employ fewer than 150 people
  • Founders must apply personally
How to apply
  1. As a founder, fill out the form on the Tech for Black Founders page yourself
  2. Amplitude's team contacts you to get you started
ApplyProgram details

Checked against Amplitude's own page on October 16, 2026.

Free services and programs

Training, accelerators and other support with real value but no cash award.

Apply any timeFree or discounted softwareBlack-owned

One Million Black Businesses (1MBB) with Shopify

Shopify and Operation HOPEFor businesses and individualsNationwide

Shopify and Operation HOPE's One Million Black Businesses (1MBB) program gives Black entrepreneurs Shopify's Basic plan for $1/month for the first 6 months, a free Tap & Chip card reader (US residents), coaching, small business counseling and self-paced learning. Founders join by registering on Operation HOPE's portal, which is required to access the program benefits. No deadline is stated.

What you get
Shopify Basic plan for $1/month for 6 months, a free Tap & Chip card reader, plus free coaching and counseling (discount and in-kind; no cash)
Who qualifies
  • Black entrepreneurs starting or growing a business
  • Shopify offer valid for merchants in the US and Canada only; stores not meeting criteria lose offer eligibility
  • Free card reader for US residents only
  • Registration with Operation HOPE is required to access program benefits
How to apply
  1. Click "Join 1MBB" on Shopify's 1MBB page to go to Operation HOPE's 1MBB page
  2. Register on the Operation HOPE portal (registration is required to access all program benefits)
  3. Use the 1MBB Shopify offer ($1/month for 6 months) and book coaching and counseling through the program
ApplyProgram details

Checked against Shopify and Operation HOPE's own page on October 16, 2026.

Programs for specific states

These are only open to organizations in (or serving) the states listed. Open your state to see them.

Arizona1 program
Check datesCash grantMinority-ownedBlack-ownedWomen-ownedDisability-owned

NAACP and Leslie's Certification Boost Grant

Leslie's and NAACPFor businessesOnly in 5 states: AZ, CA, FL, GA, TX

Leslie's and the NAACP award one-time $5,000 grants to help small businesses pay for business certifications such as MBE, WBE and DOBE. It is for businesses led by people of color, women or people with disabilities (or qualifying HUBZone businesses) in the consulting or food services industries and headquartered in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia or Texas. The page gives no current application window, and NAACP's grants page says all grant applications are closed for this season.

What you get
$5,000 one-time grant for certification costs (17 grants)
Who qualifies
  • At least 51% owned and controlled by one or more African-American individuals or other persons of color, OR by one or more women, OR by one or more persons with a disability, OR a qualifying HUBZone business
  • Operates in the consulting and/or food services industries
  • Headquartered in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia or Texas
  • Funds may be used for state and/or federal certification application costs, including legal/consulting fees (not personal use, debt, marketing, payroll or fixed assets)
How to apply
  1. Apply through the program page: https://naacp.org/find-resources/grants/naacp-and-leslies-inc-certification-boost-grant
Go to the program

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

California1 program
Check datesCash grantMinority-ownedBlack-ownedWomen-ownedDisability-owned

NAACP and Leslie's Certification Boost Grant

Leslie's and NAACPFor businessesOnly in 5 states: AZ, CA, FL, GA, TX

Leslie's and the NAACP award one-time $5,000 grants to help small businesses pay for business certifications such as MBE, WBE and DOBE. It is for businesses led by people of color, women or people with disabilities (or qualifying HUBZone businesses) in the consulting or food services industries and headquartered in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia or Texas. The page gives no current application window, and NAACP's grants page says all grant applications are closed for this season.

What you get
$5,000 one-time grant for certification costs (17 grants)
Who qualifies
  • At least 51% owned and controlled by one or more African-American individuals or other persons of color, OR by one or more women, OR by one or more persons with a disability, OR a qualifying HUBZone business
  • Operates in the consulting and/or food services industries
  • Headquartered in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia or Texas
  • Funds may be used for state and/or federal certification application costs, including legal/consulting fees (not personal use, debt, marketing, payroll or fixed assets)
How to apply
  1. Apply through the program page: https://naacp.org/find-resources/grants/naacp-and-leslies-inc-certification-boost-grant
Go to the program

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

Florida1 program
Check datesCash grantMinority-ownedBlack-ownedWomen-ownedDisability-owned

NAACP and Leslie's Certification Boost Grant

Leslie's and NAACPFor businessesOnly in 5 states: AZ, CA, FL, GA, TX

Leslie's and the NAACP award one-time $5,000 grants to help small businesses pay for business certifications such as MBE, WBE and DOBE. It is for businesses led by people of color, women or people with disabilities (or qualifying HUBZone businesses) in the consulting or food services industries and headquartered in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia or Texas. The page gives no current application window, and NAACP's grants page says all grant applications are closed for this season.

What you get
$5,000 one-time grant for certification costs (17 grants)
Who qualifies
  • At least 51% owned and controlled by one or more African-American individuals or other persons of color, OR by one or more women, OR by one or more persons with a disability, OR a qualifying HUBZone business
  • Operates in the consulting and/or food services industries
  • Headquartered in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia or Texas
  • Funds may be used for state and/or federal certification application costs, including legal/consulting fees (not personal use, debt, marketing, payroll or fixed assets)
How to apply
  1. Apply through the program page: https://naacp.org/find-resources/grants/naacp-and-leslies-inc-certification-boost-grant
Go to the program

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

Georgia1 program
Check datesCash grantMinority-ownedBlack-ownedWomen-ownedDisability-owned

NAACP and Leslie's Certification Boost Grant

Leslie's and NAACPFor businessesOnly in 5 states: AZ, CA, FL, GA, TX

Leslie's and the NAACP award one-time $5,000 grants to help small businesses pay for business certifications such as MBE, WBE and DOBE. It is for businesses led by people of color, women or people with disabilities (or qualifying HUBZone businesses) in the consulting or food services industries and headquartered in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia or Texas. The page gives no current application window, and NAACP's grants page says all grant applications are closed for this season.

What you get
$5,000 one-time grant for certification costs (17 grants)
Who qualifies
  • At least 51% owned and controlled by one or more African-American individuals or other persons of color, OR by one or more women, OR by one or more persons with a disability, OR a qualifying HUBZone business
  • Operates in the consulting and/or food services industries
  • Headquartered in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia or Texas
  • Funds may be used for state and/or federal certification application costs, including legal/consulting fees (not personal use, debt, marketing, payroll or fixed assets)
How to apply
  1. Apply through the program page: https://naacp.org/find-resources/grants/naacp-and-leslies-inc-certification-boost-grant
Go to the program

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

Massachusetts1 program
Apply any timeFree credits or servicesWomen-ownedMinority-ownedBlack-ownedNative / Indigenous-ownedAsian American-ownedLGBTQ+-ownedDisability-ownedVeteran-owned

MVYRADIO Business Diversity Initiative

MVYRADIO (Martha's Vineyard, MA)For businesses and nonprofitsLocal programs in Massachusetts, Rhode Island

MVYRADIO gives a bank of free 15-second underwriting messages to businesses in its broadcast area owned by women, BIPOC, immigrants, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, LGBTQIA people, people with disabilities and veterans. Applications are reviewed quarterly by the station's Diversity Committee, which picks three applicants each round. Businesses apply through an online form linked from the program page.

What you get
A bank of free 15-second underwriting messages on MVYRADIO (in-kind, not cash); value not stated
Who qualifies
  • Businesses owned by women, Black, Indigenous or people of color, immigrants, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, LGBTQIA people, people with disabilities, or veterans
  • Located in MVYRADIO's broadcast area (Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, Southeastern Massachusetts and Newport, RI)
  • Not already an active MVYRADIO client; priority to newer businesses without resources for paid advertising, and to registered businesses over nonprofits
  • Messages must follow FCC underwriting rules; some categories (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, firearms, gambling, political) are excluded
How to apply
  1. Read the program information and underwriting guidelines on the MVYRADIO diversity page
  2. Submit the online application form linked from the page
  3. The Diversity Committee reviews applications quarterly and selects three applicants each round
ApplyProgram details

Checked against MVYRADIO (Martha's Vineyard, MA)'s own page on October 16, 2026.

Rhode Island1 program
Apply any timeFree credits or servicesWomen-ownedMinority-ownedBlack-ownedNative / Indigenous-ownedAsian American-ownedLGBTQ+-ownedDisability-ownedVeteran-owned

MVYRADIO Business Diversity Initiative

MVYRADIO (Martha's Vineyard, MA)For businesses and nonprofitsLocal programs in Massachusetts, Rhode Island

MVYRADIO gives a bank of free 15-second underwriting messages to businesses in its broadcast area owned by women, BIPOC, immigrants, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, LGBTQIA people, people with disabilities and veterans. Applications are reviewed quarterly by the station's Diversity Committee, which picks three applicants each round. Businesses apply through an online form linked from the program page.

What you get
A bank of free 15-second underwriting messages on MVYRADIO (in-kind, not cash); value not stated
Who qualifies
  • Businesses owned by women, Black, Indigenous or people of color, immigrants, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, LGBTQIA people, people with disabilities, or veterans
  • Located in MVYRADIO's broadcast area (Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, Southeastern Massachusetts and Newport, RI)
  • Not already an active MVYRADIO client; priority to newer businesses without resources for paid advertising, and to registered businesses over nonprofits
  • Messages must follow FCC underwriting rules; some categories (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, firearms, gambling, political) are excluded
How to apply
  1. Read the program information and underwriting guidelines on the MVYRADIO diversity page
  2. Submit the online application form linked from the page
  3. The Diversity Committee reviews applications quarterly and selects three applicants each round
ApplyProgram details

Checked against MVYRADIO (Martha's Vineyard, MA)'s own page on October 16, 2026.

Texas1 program
Check datesCash grantMinority-ownedBlack-ownedWomen-ownedDisability-owned

NAACP and Leslie's Certification Boost Grant

Leslie's and NAACPFor businessesOnly in 5 states: AZ, CA, FL, GA, TX

Leslie's and the NAACP award one-time $5,000 grants to help small businesses pay for business certifications such as MBE, WBE and DOBE. It is for businesses led by people of color, women or people with disabilities (or qualifying HUBZone businesses) in the consulting or food services industries and headquartered in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia or Texas. The page gives no current application window, and NAACP's grants page says all grant applications are closed for this season.

What you get
$5,000 one-time grant for certification costs (17 grants)
Who qualifies
  • At least 51% owned and controlled by one or more African-American individuals or other persons of color, OR by one or more women, OR by one or more persons with a disability, OR a qualifying HUBZone business
  • Operates in the consulting and/or food services industries
  • Headquartered in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia or Texas
  • Funds may be used for state and/or federal certification application costs, including legal/consulting fees (not personal use, debt, marketing, payroll or fixed assets)
How to apply
  1. Apply through the program page: https://naacp.org/find-resources/grants/naacp-and-leslies-inc-certification-boost-grant
Go to the program

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.

Common questions

What is Shopify's One Million Black Businesses program?
Shopify and Operation HOPE offer Black entrepreneurs the Shopify Basic plan for $1 a month for six months, a free card reader and free coaching. You register through the program page.
Why are there fewer programs here than on other lists?
Many lists still include programs that ended years ago. We only show a program as open when its own website still describes it, and we list the ones that have ended at the bottom of the page.

Programs that have ended

Still widely listed elsewhere, so here for the record. Don't apply to these.

  • Google for Startups Black Founders Fund (U.S.) (Google)
  • Google for Startups Latino Founders Fund (Google)

Every program here was checked against the provider's own website on the date shown on its card. Offers change, so confirm the details on the program page before you apply. GrantFinder isn't affiliated with these companies.