5 Small Business Grants to Apply for Right Now in December 2025

Access to non‑repayable grant funding remains one of the most sought‑after yet competitive forms of financial support for U.S. small businesses. For many startups, nonprofits, and mission‑driven enterprises, grants provide critical capital without the debt burden that traditional loans impose.

This guide is structured for applicants, NGOs, startups, small business owners, students, and local governments seeking informational, navigational, transactional, and eligibility‑driven guidance on high‑priority grants that are verifiably open as of December 2026. It reflects policy context, eligibility criteria, application steps, and confirmed deadlines, with a focus on transparency and accuracy.

Important: Most federal grant opportunities are open through Grants.gov, require registration with SAM.gov and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and are typically targeted at nonprofit or research‑oriented entities rather than for‑profit small businesses. For mainstream operational support, private and sponsored grant programs are often the most accessible for small for‑profits entering 2026.

1. Secretsos™ Small Business Grant

Purpose & Policy Context:
The Secretsos™ Small Business Grant supports business owners who have historically faced barriers to capital, including underserved, startup, and non‑traditionally financed companies. This program reflects a broader trend of private grant sponsors stepping in where traditional federal grants provide limited direct funding to small businesses.

Who It Benefits:

• U.S.‑based small business owners aged 21+.
• Applicants across industries with legally registered businesses.

Funding Amount:

• $2,500 flexible funding, usable for marketing, equipment, operations, or planning.

Eligibility:

• Registered business in the U.S. with current operating status.
• Open to diverse founders: women, minority, veteran, low‑income business owners.

How to Apply:
Submit directly via the Secretsos™ grant portal by the deadline; include a brief description of planned use of funds.

2. Skip $10,000 Year‑End Grants

Purpose & Policy Context:
Skip’s small business grants represent an example of corporate‑sponsored nonprofit grant support, offering accessible capital with minimal barriers. These programs emphasize inclusivity and business potential over traditional credit history or collateral.

Who It Benefits:

• U.S. entrepreneurs aged 18+ across sectors.

Funding Amount:

• Two $10,000 cash awards per cycle (general and Skip Plus member track).

Eligibility:

• Active small business registration in the U.S.; membership requirements vary by track.

How to Apply:
Answer application questions and follow Skip’s specified process.

3. Intuit QuickBooks x Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program

Purpose & Policy Context:
Sponsored by Intuit and Mailchimp, this grant underscores how private sector platforms contribute targeted funding to businesses demonstrating resilience, social impact, and operational excellence. These programs often embed business coaching or software resources alongside cash awards.

Who It Benefits:

• U.S.‑registered small businesses, including sole proprietorships and corporations.

Funding Amount:

• Three $20,000 grants per quarterly cycle.

Eligibility:

• Business owners aged 18+; active operational history; community impact narrative encouraged.

How to Apply:
Nominate or apply through the official Intuit/Mailchimp program entry.

4. Start.Pivot.Grow. Micro Grant

Purpose & Policy Context:
Reflecting the growing importance of micro‑level capital for core operating resilience, the Start.Pivot.Grow. micro grants deliver modest but meaningful funds to help businesses cover essentials — from inventory to software subscriptions.

Who It Benefits:

• U.S.‑based, for‑profit businesses with at least two years in operation.

Funding Amount:

• $2,500 per quarter.

Eligibility:

• Minimum two years in business, at least $50,000 annual revenue, and 1–2 employees (including owners).

How to Apply:
Submit a concise application demonstrating need and intended use of funds.

5. Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program

Purpose & Policy Context:
This program, backed by Hiring Our Heroes and corporate sponsors, is explicitly designed to support veteran and military spouse entrepreneurship, a key federal priority area for equitable economic participation.

Who It Benefits:

• Veteran‑ or military spouse‑owned for‑profit small businesses (≥51% ownership).
• 3–20 employees; ≤ $5M annual revenue; located in an economically vulnerable community.

Funding Amount:

• Winners receive either $10,000 or $25,000 awards.

Eligibility:

• U.S. legal residents with qualified ownership and operational criteria.

How to Apply:
Submit application materials in compliance with program guidelines, including proof of eligibility and business narrative.

Understanding Grant Eligibility, Compliance & Application Strategy

Federal vs. Private Grants

• Federal grants (through Grants.gov) focus mainly on research (e.g., SBIR/STTR) or nonprofit capacity building. They require SAM.gov registration, a UEI, and compliance with extensive federal reporting standards.
• Private or sponsored grants (above list) often award directly to small for‑profits but may require narrative impact statements, community proof points, or membership tiers. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Registration & Compliance Essentials

To participate in government‑linked opportunities, you should:

1. Complete SAM.gov entity registration and obtain a UEI.
2. Establish a Grants.gov account for federal solicitations.
3. Prepare documentation such as business plans, financial statements, and NAICS classifications.
4. Respect exact deadline timestamps; even minutes late can invalidate submissions.

Common Reasons Applicants Are Denied

• Missing or incomplete eligibility documentation.
• Failure to articulate a clear budget or business impact objective.
• Not matching the grant’s mission or demographic focus (e.g., veteran‑owned vs. general).

Summary of Deadlines — December 2026

Grant Program	Deadline
Secretsos™ Small Business Grant	Dec 31, 2026
Skip $10,000 Year‑End Grants	Dec 31, 2026
Intuit QuickBooks x Mailchimp Hero Program	Feb 14, 2026
Start.Pivot.Grow. Micro Grant	Dec 31, 2026
Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant	Dec 15, 2026

FAQs

1. What is a small business grant?

A small business grant is free funding (not a loan) from government, nonprofits, or corporations to support business goals with no repayment required.

2. Who can apply for small business grants?

Eligibility varies, but typically registered businesses that meet specific criteria (size, location, sector, or demographic focus) can apply.

3. How do I apply for a grant?

Read the grant’s eligibility rules, prepare required documents (e.g., business plan, financials), complete the official application, and submit it by the deadline.

4. Can I apply for many grants at once?

Yes — as long as you meet the eligibility requirements for each grant.

5. How do I avoid grant scams?

Never pay to apply or accept unsolicited “you’ve won” notices; real grant programs never charge application fees and won’t contact you claiming you’ve won money without an application first. 

Sources:

• Grants.gov — Central federal grant discovery and application portal (grants.gov)
• U.S. SBA Grants Overview — Federal overview of limited small business grants (sba.gov)
• SAM.gov Registration — Required entity registration before applying for federal funding (grants.gov)