See the funding your business can actually win.
660+ grants, tax credits & loans — answer a few quick questions and watch them narrow to the ones you qualify for, each with real dollar amounts and a how-to-win playbook.
Free, no account needed · independent, not affiliated with any government agency.
Prefer to browse all 660+ programs →Every program verified from official federal, state & agency sources — grants, tax credits, and loans, no fluff.
Browse the funding landscape
Organized by where you operate, who you are, and what you do — not by bureaucratic category.
US small business grants, answered
The questions founders ask us most — about eligibility, cost, and how the funding really works.
Are US small business grants free to apply for?
Yes. Legitimate government grants — federal, state, and local — never charge a fee to apply, and the vast majority of reputable private and corporate grants are free too. If a “grant” asks for an upfront payment to apply or to “release” your funds, treat it as a red flag. GrantCompass is free to search, and we never charge to apply on your behalf.
What kinds of funding can a small business actually get?
Four main types, all in our catalog: grants (money you don’t repay), tax credits (like the federal R&D credit, which cut what you owe), low-interest or forgivable loans (such as SBA-backed financing), and set-aside programs reserved for specific founders or industries. Most businesses qualify for several at once — the matcher shows which.
Do I need an LLC or corporation to qualify for grants?
Sometimes, but not always. Incorporation is the single most common eligibility gate — many federal R&D programs like SBIR require a registered for-profit entity — but plenty of grants, tax credits, and loans are open to sole proprietors. Our 60-second matcher filters by your business structure, so you only see what you’re actually eligible for.
Are there grants for women-, minority-, or veteran-owned businesses?
Yes. The catalog includes dozens of programs set aside for women-, minority-, veteran-, and Native-owned businesses, alongside hundreds of programs open to all founders. You can browse them directly or let the matcher surface the ones you qualify for.
How do I find grants available in my state?
GrantCompass covers programs in all 50 states plus federal and Washington, DC opportunities. Answer the state question in the matcher — or browse by state — to see the federal, state, and local programs available where your business operates.
How current and accurate is GrantCompass’s data?
We track 660+ active US funding programs, each verified against official federal, state, and agency sources, with the catalog reviewed and updated regularly (last verified June 2026). GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency.