The Challenge

It is always challenging for BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and woman-owned businesses to achieve economic equity and dismantle the many barriers to success. As we enter the summer of 2024, several grants have emerged, offering vital support and resources to BIPOC-owned businesses and catalyzing growth, innovation, and community development.

Progressive Driving Small Business Grants

Application deadline: Jun 14, 2024 at 6:00pm EDT

This year, Progressive is dedicating  $1 million to award 20 deserving businesses with $50,000 grants each. And that’s not all – recipients will also get access to an exclusive 12-week virtual Boost Camp coaching program, designed to equip business owners with the tools & resources to help them achieve their growth objectives.

Get ready to accelerate your business with the Driving Small Business Forward Fund, powered by Progressive. Launched in 2022, this fund is designed to empower entrepreneurs by providing them with access to a commercial vehicle. As the leading commercial auto insurer*, Progressive understands the unique challenges faced by small businesses and is committed to providing solutions that meet their unique needs.

eBay Up & Running Grant

Application deadline: June 7, 2024

eBay is giving back to the small businesses powering America. In partnership with Hello Alice, eBay is awarding more than $500,000 in grants and education resources to help small businesses stay up and running into 2024 and beyond.

The eBay Up & Running Grant program will award 50 eBay business sellers with grant packages of $10,000, including cash, eBay education, and a $500 stipend sellers can use to equip themselves with essential office technology from eBay Refurbished. eBay has been the home of small business since 1995, offering a global marketplace of 132 million active buyers and the tools and resources to manage your business and scale for success.

Comcast RISE Grant

Application Deadline: May 31, 2024 Eligible small businesses in Atlanta, GA, Southern Colorado, Houston, TX, Jacksonville, FL, and Richmond, VA can apply for the Comcast RISE program.

Comcast RISE was created in 2020 to help small businesses hardest hit by COVID-19 recover and thrive. We’re pleased to bring Comcast RISE back in 2024, and we’re proud to continue our efforts to help an even broader range of small businesses, while continuing to focus on diversity, inclusion, and community investment.

Comcast RISE is supporting the growth of all small businesses committed to uplifting their local communities. The program is built to help businesses and their communities thrive with a focus on economic growth. This year, Comcast RISE will award 500 recipients in five cities with a grant package that includes business consultation services, educational resources, monetary grant, creative production, media schedule, and a technology makeover.

Google Conference Scholarships (Americas)

“At Google, we believe a diversity of attributes, experiences, and perspectives are needed to build tools that can change the world. We also believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to pursue connections in the industry, networking with peers, and a career path in technology. To help break down the barriers that prevent underrepresented groups in technology and business from attending leading conferences, we’re excited to offer Google Conference Scholarships for selected conferences in the tech industry and related fields.”

Deadline:  Check the regional tabs for information on application dates

Association of Latino Professionals For America Conference (ALPFA) Application deadline:July 7, 2024

National Black MBA Association Conference (NBMBAA) Application deadline : July 7, 2024

American Indian Science and Engineering Society Conference (AISES). Application deadline July 7, 2024

Lesbians Who Tech Summit Application deadline: July 7, 2024

National Black Business Pitch

Application Deadline: January 2024-2025- Rolling basis

The National Black Business Pitch (NBBP) is a competition designed to connect Black-owned businesses to corporations who seek to expand and diversify their supply chain with new products and services.

Through the National Black Business Pitch we are seeking to do more than provide a seat at the table, but to open doors and build relationships that can lead to long-term and sustainable contracts. Our ultimate goal is to create a Black business network that corporations can access and do business with.

Beyond Open

Application deadline: August 1, 2024- August 31, 2024

Foundation For The Carolinas announced that 116 small businesses within Charlotte’s Corridors of Opportunity have been chosen through a competitive review process to receive grants totaling $4.8 million from the third round of the Beyond Open small business grant program.

Beyond Open is a competitive small business grant program centered on building economic mobility within Charlotte’s Corridors of Opportunity, and is focused on diverse-owned small businesses.

Grant awards can be used for capital assets such as equipment, technology, inventory and real estate, and do not need to be repaid.

$5 million in grants will be awarded in each of three rounds for a total $15 million. 

Women of Color Business Grants

Application deadline:Rolling basis

Their organization equips women of color entrepreneurs with the tools to compete in the 21st century marketplace. That’s why we award small business grants to individual applicants who are women of color entrepreneurs. The Corporate Counsel Women of Color Grant Program gives a $2,500 grant to each of the recipients.

Women of color business owners are often overlooked and underserved when it comes to access to business funding. We know it takes money to start and grow a thriving business. By investing in women of color entrepreneurs, we are helping our community of minority business owners gain economic power and build wealth. *We do not ask for information regarding protected class status. The grant is open to all.

Fast Break for Small Business Grant

Application deadline: September 13, 2024 

Legal Zoom has partnered with the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League to offer $3 million in grant funding and services to small business owners and emerging entrepreneurs.

Now in its third season, Fast Break for Small Business is the largest grant program for small business owners.* The program aims to assist business owners with the tools and resources they need to start and grow their businesses—the perfect play. This opportunity is designed to support both established and budding business ventures with the most significant distribution of funding for small business owners in recent years.*

Simply put, it’s a slam dunk for your small business.

National Pride Grant for LGBTQIA+

Application Deadline: May 28, 2024

The LGBTQIA+ National Grant provides eligible small businesses the chance to receive one of 25 grant packages totaling $25,000. Founders First is committed to increasing the number of diverse founder-led businesses generating over $1 million dollars in revenues.

$25,000 in Small Business Grants
The $25,000 fund will make investments to 25 LGBTQIA+ led businesses in the United States.

Do you know of a BIPOC owned business or brand that should have been included in this list or added to our directory? Email me at danielle.moore@blistey.com and we’ll check them out. 

Download the Blistey app to find BIPOC owned businesses in your area and around the globe to support.

Author: Bypock Editorial Staff