Business Grant Opportunities for Lima, Ohio Area Businesses

Veteran & Military-Owned Business Grants

Women Veterans Giving Small Business Award – Provides up to $5,000 to women veteran business owners. Applications for the 2026 cycle are open from May 1 through July 31, 2026.
Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant – Veteran-focused business grant program offering awards of $10,000 and $25,000 to help veteran-owned businesses grow and scale operations.
https://usbusinessgrants.org/grants/streetshares-small-business-award.html – Offers grants ranging from approximately $4,000 to $15,000 for veteran-owned small businesses.
Second Service Foundation Grants – Provides entrepreneurial support and grant opportunities for veterans, military spouses, and transitioning service members.

Amber Grant for Women – Awards $30,000 monthly grants, plus Startup Grants, Business Category Grants, and annual year-end grants.
The Freed Fellowship Grant – Provides monthly microgrants to women and minority-owned businesses, with additional annual scaling grant opportunities.
HerRise MicroGrant – Monthly $1,000 grants for women entrepreneurs and small business owners.
EmpowHer Grant – Supports women-owned businesses focused on community impact and social good.
iFundWomen Grants – A grant platform that aggregates opportunities specifically for women entrepreneurs and startups.

SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant – Provides grants to Black women and diverse entrepreneurs.

NASE Growth Grants – Offers grants for marketing, equipment purchases, hiring, and business growth for NASE members.
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest – National grant competition for small businesses with compelling stories and growth plans.
Hello Alice Small Business Grants – Regularly updated grant portal with funding opportunities for startups and small businesses.
Comcast RISE Program – Provides grants, marketing support, media production, coaching, and technology upgrades for eligible businesses.
Faire Small Business Grant – Supports new retail businesses and makers with startup funding and wholesale credits.

SBIR/STTR Federal Innovation Grants – Federal innovation grants supporting startups and small businesses in technology, manufacturing, healthcare, AI, and research.
Ohio Third Frontier Programs – Ohio innovation funding supporting technology commercialization, startup ecosystems, and research partnerships.
Verizon Digital Ready Funding – Small business support platform that periodically includes grant opportunities and free business training resources.

USDA Rural Business Development Grants – Supports rural businesses with funding for equipment, training, technical assistance, and expansion projects.
USDA Value-Added Producer Grants – Helps agricultural producers develop new products, processing capabilities, and expanded market opportunities.

AEP Ohio Business Incentives – Utility incentive programs for lighting, HVAC, energy upgrades, and equipment improvements.

Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program – Supports historic building rehabilitation and redevelopment projects.
Ohio Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program – Funding that may assist businesses through downtown revitalization, infrastructure, and facade improvement projects.
JobsOhio Small Business Programs – Offers financing, workforce support, expansion incentives, and growth programs for Ohio businesses.

Grants.gov – The primary federal database for government grants.
Ohio Grants Portal – State resource for locating Ohio grant opportunities and funding programs.
SBA Funding Programs – Small Business Administration funding and loan resources.
USDA Rural Development Ohio – USDA funding resources for rural Ohio businesses and communities.
Ohio Department of Development – Central source for Ohio business incentives, grants, and economic development programs.
Hello Alice Grant Portal – Ongoing national grant listings for small businesses and startups.
iFundWomen Funding Opportunities – Funding and grant opportunities tailored to women entrepreneurs.

Prepared for businesses and entrepreneurs in Lima/Allen County, Ohio.