7 Exciting Small Business Grant Opportunities You Can't Miss in 2025

Running a small business comes with its share of challenges, but securing the right funding can make all the difference in achieving your growth goals. Whether you're looking to expand operations, invest in new technology, or strengthen your market position, these seven grant opportunities offer substantial financial support across various industries and demographics.

1. BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program

Grant Amount: $10,000 each (15 grants available)

Deadline: August 19, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. EST

Who Can Apply: U.S.-based for-profit businesses

BMO's Purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in Business and in Life drives this exceptional program designed to support small businesses that advance women's causes. This competitive grant program, developed in collaboration with Deloitte, recognizes business owners who are driving innovation, growth, and lasting community impact.

Key Requirements:

• Operating for at least two years by August 5, 2025

• Annual revenue of $5M USD or less

• Must demonstrate commitment to the advancement of women

• Located in eligible states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, and 20 others

• Special location requirements for Michigan and Texas (within 100 miles of BMO branch)

Application Process: The streamlined application includes basic business information, short questions about growth goals, and semi-finalists will submit a video explaining how their business supports women's advancement.

Timeline:

• Application closes: August 19, 2025

• Semi-finalists notified: Early September

• Grant recipients announced: Late October

2. Empowerment Grant for Small Business Growth

Grant Amount: $5,000 plus in-kind support

Who Can Apply: Small business owners across the USA

This comprehensive grant goes beyond just funding, offering recipients personalized coaching sessions, essential accounting tools, and exclusive banking benefits. The program targets businesses that offer services, meet community needs, or provide solutions to pressing problems.

What Makes It Special: The combination of financial support and business development resources creates a holistic approach to business growth that extends far beyond the initial grant period.

3. Philadelphia Business Strengthening Grant

Grant Amount: Up to $10,000Location: Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPriority Focus: Women, immigrant, and BIPOC business owners

Designed specifically for Philadelphia's diverse business community, this grant program emphasizes equity and inclusion while promoting growth and building business capacity. The funding helps businesses stabilize during challenging times, seize expansion opportunities, and boost profitability.

Impact Focus: This program recognizes that diverse businesses often face unique challenges and provides targeted support to help level the playing field.

4. Maryland Agricultural Storage Solutions Grant

Grant Amount: Up to $2,000

Location: Maryland

Industry Focus: Agricultural businesses, farmers, and watermen

This specialized grant addresses a critical need in agricultural operations by funding storage equipment purchases and installation. The program supports both land-based agriculture and marine harvesting operations.

Eligible Uses:

• Cold storage solutions for produce and livestock

• Storage equipment for Maryland-harvested seafood

• Equipment that supports operational expansion or continuation

5. Women Empowerment Growth Grant

Grant Amount: Up to $50,000

Who Can Apply: Women-owned small businesses across the USA

This competitive grant program offers substantial funding along with invaluable in-kind support and free media exposure. It's designed for women who are sole or majority owners of small businesses with 50 or fewer employees.

Added Value: Beyond the significant financial award, the media exposure component can provide long-term marketing benefits that extend the grant's impact well into the future.

6. Visionary Women Entrepreneurs Grant

Grant Amount: Up to $5,000

Who Can Apply: Women entrepreneurs across the USA

This flexible grant program empowers women-led businesses that demonstrate strong dedication to their vision and future impact. Funds can be used for operations, marketing, hiring, technology, inventory, and other growth-driving expenses.

Requirements: Businesses must be fully women-owned, currently operational, and generating revenue, making this an excellent option for established businesses ready to scale.

7. Small Business Innovation & R&D Grant

Grant Amount: Multi-phase funding

Who Can Apply: U.S. small businesses with R&D focusIndustry Focus: Wide range of scientific areas

This unique program supports innovative research and development projects with strong commercial potential. The multi-phase approach allows businesses to progress from early feasibility studies through full market readiness.

Planning Note: Required registrations can take several weeks, so early preparation is essential. Projects should have clear commercialization pathways.

Maximizing Your Grant Success

When applying for these opportunities, consider these key strategies:

Tailor Your Applications: Each grant has specific objectives and criteria. Customize your applications to align with the funder's mission and priorities.

Demonstrate Impact: Clearly articulate how the grant will advance your business goals and, where applicable, benefit your community or target demographic.

Prepare Strong Documentation: Gather financial records, business plans, and any required certifications well in advance of application deadlines.

Follow Instructions Precisely: Grant applications are often highly competitive, and small details matter. Ensure you meet all requirements and submit by the specified deadlines.

Plan for Success: If awarded, have a clear implementation plan ready. Funders want to see their investment will be used effectively and purposefully.

Looking Ahead

These seven grant opportunities represent just a fraction of the funding landscape available to small businesses in 2025. The diversity of these programs—from industry-specific agricultural grants to broad-based women's empowerment initiatives—demonstrates the growing recognition of small business importance in driving economic growth and community development.

Whether you're a tech startup developing innovative solutions, an established business looking to expand, or a community-focused enterprise making a local impact, there's likely a grant program designed to support your specific needs and goals.

Take Action: Review these opportunities carefully, assess which align with your business profile, and begin your application process today. With application deadlines ranging from August through the remainder of 2025, the time to act is now.

Remember, grant funding is highly competitive, but with thorough preparation and strategic applications, your business could be among the next success stories these programs are designed to create.