Comcast RISE
Packages rotate: grants in some cycles, plus marketing, tech makeovers, media, and consulting.
Status: Cyclical / Check site
More Free Money & Real-World Support
More grants, credits, perks, and services you can tap now. Some pay cash. Others save cash (legal help, mentoring, credits, ads, shipping). Hit the ones that match your stage, then stack the rest.
Cash Grants
Free Services
Training/Mentorship
Local/City/State
HerRise Micro-Grant
~$1,000 monthly microgrants prioritizing women of color building real businesses.
Status: Monthly cycles
MBDA Centers (U.S. Dept. of Commerce)
Free technical assistance, capital readiness, contracting help. Some competitive funding opens periodically.
Status: Ongoing services
1 Million Black Businesses (1MBB)
Training, mentoring, capital readiness, and e-commerce guidance to scale up.
Status: Ongoing enrollment
Amazon Black Business Accelerator
Mentorship, product imaging credits, starter credits, and ad vouchers to grow on Amazon.
Status: Rolling
SBA Resource Partners (SBDC, SCORE, WBC)
Free advisors for business plans, financing prep, marketing, and more. Nationwide coverage.
Status: Ongoing services
ZenBusiness — Free LLC for Moms
Covers state filing fees in program windows, plus startup tools. Good for formation savings.
Status: Ongoing / periodic
Wish Local Empowerment
$500–$2,000 microgrants for physical storefronts; tends to favor smaller retail footprints.
Status: Rolling / periodic
US Black Chambers (USBC)
Education, corporate partnerships, grants/contests announcements, and networking via local chapters.
Status: Ongoing services
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
Free cohort-based growth program (12 weeks). Alumni gain investors/advisors access.
Status: Cohorts / Check dates
Fearless Fund / Women of Color Grants*
Historically offered grants and pitch funds for women of color founders. (*Programs and availability may vary.)
Status: Check site/news
Shopify Credits & Perks (varies)
Occasional partner credits, trials, and 1MBB tie-ins to reduce startup cost for commerce.
Status: Rolling promos
Klaviyo for Startups / Credits
Email/SMS credits via partners or cohorts; can offset early marketing spend.
Status: By referral/partner
Legal Clinics (City/State)
Many cities (e.g., NYC’s BE NYC) offer free legal help for contracts, trademarks, and entity setup.
Status: Local programs
SCORE Mentors (Free)
1-on-1 expert mentors across finance, ops, marketing, e-commerce. 100% free.
Status: Ongoing services
Hello Alice — Grant Hub
Centralized portal where corporate & foundation grants pop up year-round (varied amounts).
Status: Constantly updating
Stripe / PayPal Perks (Occasional)
Periodic credits, fee promos, and partner benefits for small businesses and new storefronts.
Status: Watch partner pages
NBMBAA Scale-Up Pitch Challenge
Cash prizes for Black founders with pitch-ready startups; strong network exposure.
Status: Seasonal / Check site
Feed the Soul Foundation (Restaurants)
Grants + 6-month consulting for food businesses; strong ops training component.
Status: Annual windows
UPS / Shippo / Pirate Ship Credits
Discounted labels & negotiated rates save real money on shipping. Watch for promo credits.
Status: Ongoing; promos vary
Meta / Google Ads Credits (Occasional)
Periodic ad credit offers for new accounts or through partner accelerators—offset ad spend.
Status: Watch promos & partners
Minority Supplier Dev. Councils (MSDC)
Certification + corporate procurement access; often includes free workshops & matchmaking.
Status: Ongoing services
State/City Small Biz Grants
Your county/city often runs microgrants, façade grants, or ARPA-style local funds. Lower competition.
Status: Local cycles
Freed Fellowship ($500/mo + Mentorship)
Small, consistent grants with actionable feedback to sharpen your business model.
Status: Monthly cycles
Coalition to Back Black Business (CBBB)
$5k grants + mentorship; competitive but accessible for small teams.
Status: Annual rounds
How to maximize your odds
- Batch your applications: Block 2–3 hours weekly; submit 2–3 at a time.
- Keep a “grant packet” folder: 1-pager, basic financials, founder bio, product shots, logo, pitch deck.
- Track cycles: Add deadlines to your calendar; set two reminders (2 weeks out, 48 hours out).
- Stack non-cash benefits: Mentors + ad credits + shipping discounts = real savings.
- Go local: City/County money = fewer applicants and faster responses.
Heads up: programs change. Always confirm eligibility, location restrictions, and current deadlines before applying.
