grants-for

Grants for California Small Businesses & Startups

Explore 468 active, human-verified grant opportunities tailored for small businesses, startups, LLCs, C corporations, S corporations, sole proprietors, and independent entrepreneurs operating in California. Filter funding sources across federal agencies, state economic development programs, SBIR/STTR research funding, and corporate growth initiatives, updated daily.

Recipient type
State / Region
Nationwide / International
Grant category
Funding source type

468 grants found

Grants to USA and International Nonprofits and Agencies to Benefit Communities

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA and International nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, and agencies for initiatives to benefit families, children, and communities. Applicants are required to submit an LOI prior to submitting a full proposal. Focus areas include early care ...

GrantWatch ID#: 133552

Grants to California Child and Adult Care Centers to Provide Participants With Healthy Meals a...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to California nonprofit and for-profit organizations, licensed adult day care centers, child care centers, and after-school programs to supply nutritious meals and snacks. Applicants must contact program staff prior to submitting an application. The purpose...

GrantWatch ID#: 134908

Grants and In-Kind Support to California Nonprofits and Businesses for Events and Entertainmen...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants and in-kind support to California nonprofit organizations and businesses for family-oriented events in eligible regions. Funding is intended for events that offer family entertainment, themes, and activities. In addition to monetary awards, applicants may a...

GrantWatch ID#: 149311

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofit and For-Profit Entrepreneurial Enterprises ...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit entrepreneurial enterprises for initiatives that address important social issues at the national or global level. Funding is intended to support efforts that aim to improve the lives of individuals ...

GrantWatch ID#: 161348

Grants to USA IHEs, Research Organizations, For-Profits, Agencies, and Individuals for Innovat...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA IHEs, research organizations, for-profit organizations, government agencies, and individuals for innovative agricultural research. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Proposals are invited for high-p...

GrantWatch ID#: 161422

Grants to USA, India, and South Africa Nonprofit and For-Profit Social Enterprises to Benefit ...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA, India, and South Africa nonprofit and for-profit social enterprises for initiatives to benefit children and families living in urban poverty. Areas of focus include education, health, and family economic stability. Funding is intended for proposals ...

GrantWatch ID#: 162173

In-Kind Grants to USA Agencies and Nonprofits in Multiple States to Develop Play Areas

Deadline: Ongoing

In-kind grants to USA municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses in multiple states to support the development of new playgrounds. The purpose of this program is to serve low-income communities that do not have a playspace or need to replace an unsafe...

GrantWatch ID#: 163580

Rebates to California Non-Residential Entities for Water-Conserving Installations

Deadline: Ongoing

Rebates to California non-residential water customers, including businesses and commercial facilities in eligible locations for improving water efficiency equipment. The rebate program is intended to reduce the use of potable water with the replacement or upgrade ...

GrantWatch ID#: 165101

Grants to California Retail Companies in Eligible Regions to Reduce Water Use in Landscaping

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to California retail companies in eligible regions to reduce landscaping-related water use. Funding is intended for projects to significantly reduce water use and increase efficiency. Applicants may apply for projects in one of two categories: recycled wate...

GrantWatch ID#: 165341

Sponsorships to USA Companies and Organizations in Multiple States to Support Events and Oppor...

Deadline: Ongoing

Sponsorships to USA companies and organizations in multiple states to support events and opportunities in the communities where the funding source does business. Past sponsorships have included athletic, artistic, and community events. Special consideration will b...

GrantWatch ID#: 182121

Emergency Assistance to USA Livestock Producers to Compensate Losses Due to Drought or Fire

Deadline: Ongoing

Emergency assistance to USA and Puerto Rico livestock producers in eligible regions impacted by grazing losses due to weather conditions. Eligible applicants are those located in counties affected by severe or extreme drought. Producers will be compensated for gra...

GrantWatch ID#: 182188

Grants to USA Nursery Tree Growers and Orchardists to Mitigate Damages Due to Disease and Natu...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA nursery tree growers and orchardists to restore and replace qualifying vines, bushes, and trees that have been damaged or lost as a result of disease or natural disaster. Funding may be requested to mitigate losses of commercially produced annual cro...

GrantWatch ID#: 182189

Grants to USA Nonprofits and For-Profits for Educational Programs for Mental Health Service Pr...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA nonprofit organizations and for-profit continuing medical education providers for education programs for healthcare providers in the area of mental health. Funding is intended for continuing medical education (CME) activities, including live, print, ...

GrantWatch ID#: 184348

Grants to California Public School Districts, Joint Powers Agreement Schools, and Contractors ...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to California public school districts, Joint Powers Agreement schools, and school-bus contractors to enhance school bus fleets in eligible counties. Funding is intended to expand existing fleets of school buses with electric buses. In addition, school distr...

GrantWatch ID#: 186005

Grants to USA Media Outlets to Increase Public Engagement and Awareness of News Stories

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA media outlets for reporting news stories. The purpose of this program is to promote the reporting of important but under-reported stories that pertain to all residents in local communities. Funding is intended to cover costs related to reporting a sp...

GrantWatch ID#: 189191

Grants to USA Book and Comic Book Store Owners and Employees for Financial Assistance During C...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA, Puerto Rico, Guam, and US Virgin Islands booksellers, bookstore owners, and comic store employees and owners for financial assistance during unforeseen events and circumstances. Eligible stores must have a physical location. The purpose of funding i...

GrantWatch ID#: 189304

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Entities for Canadian War Memorial Projects

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants of up to $10,000 to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit organizations and for-profits, and Canadian provinces and municipalities for commemorative memorials that honor Canada's servicemen. Funding is intended to support building new memorials or restor...

GrantWatch ID#: 190275

Grants to Illinois, Florida, California, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania Nonprofits and ...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants, loans, and investments to Illinois, Florida, California, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania nonprofit and for-profit organizations for impactful programs that promote the health and wellbeing of residents in eligible regions. Funding is intended for ini...

GrantWatch ID#: 190404

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits, For-Profits, and Individuals to Promote I...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit organizations, for-profits, and individuals for activities that promote privacy, security, freedom, and accessibility in technology. Funding is intended to support projects and individuals working on accessible an...

GrantWatch ID#: 190638

Grants to California Nonprofits, CBOs, Agencies, Schools, and IHEs in Eligible Areas for Envir...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants of up to $10,000 to California nonprofit organizations, local agencies, special districts, for-profits, community groups, schools, and IHEs in eligible areas for environmental projects. Funding is intended for activities and new technologies that help to ca...

GrantWatch ID#: 190935

Grants to California Businesses for Capital Projects to Meet Health Regulations Related to Sto...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants of up to $70,000 to California small businesses for capital projects to assist with meeting health regulations compliance. Funding is intended to help owners and operators upgrade, remove, or replace underground storage tanks. Eligible costs include replaci...

GrantWatch ID#: 191098

Grants to California Nursing Homes to Enhance the Quality of Care for Facility Residents

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants of up to $6,000 to California nursing home associations, nursing facilities, consumer advocacy organizations, state agencies, and academic institutions for projects that enhance the quality of care for nursing home residents. Funds may be used for projects ...

GrantWatch ID#: 192858

Grants and In-Kind Support to USA, Canada, and International Researchers and Clinicians for Pr...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants and in-kind support to USA, Canada, and International scholars and clinicians affiliated with IHEs, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and medical centers for research and development related to dementia. Applicants must register and submit an LOI prior t...

GrantWatch ID#: 193664

Grants to USA Entities to Support Research on Food Supply and Agricultural Security

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA nonprofit and for-profit organizations and public and private IHEs for research addressing dangers to the country's food supply or agricultural sector. Applicants are required to submit a concept note prior to submitting a full proposal. Funding is i...

GrantWatch ID#: 193965

Grants to USA Entrepreneurs to Support Recovery After Natural Disasters

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants of $2,000 to USA and territories entrepreneurs to support recovery after a natural disaster. Funding is intended to help entrepreneurs who have faced business interruptions due to an unforeseen environmental event, such as a wildfire or hurricane. Eligible ...

GrantWatch ID#: 195041

Opportunity for USA Small Businesses to Participate in a Mentorship Program

Deadline: Ongoing

Opportunity for USA small businesses to participate in a mentorship program. Mentoring businesses must participate in the application process as well. The purpose of the opportunity is to help these small businesses increase their capacity, acquire development ass...

GrantWatch ID#: 195125

Loans to USA Businesses and Nonprofits in Eligible Locations for Disaster Relief Efforts

Deadline: Ongoing

Loans to USA and territories businesses and nonprofit organizations in eligible locations for disaster relief efforts. Funding is intended to help with the recovery activities of for-profit entities and private nonprofits located in a declared disaster area. Loans...

GrantWatch ID#: 199201

Loans to USA Small Businesses to Provide Financial Support Due to Military Call-Up of an Essen...

Deadline: Ongoing

Loans to USA small businesses for financial support due to the absence of an essential employee who has been called up for active military duty. Loans will be limited to the amount of economic injury to the business and may be used for operating expenses until the...

GrantWatch ID#: 199205

Grants to California Businesses to Promote Local Events

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to California businesses to promote and market local events in eligible locations. Funding is intended to support the development of events and programs, especially those that include collaborations between multiple businesses. Eligible activities take plac...

GrantWatch ID#: 199439

Opportunity for USA and Puerto Rico Small Business Owners to Participate in a Business Develop...

Deadline: Ongoing

Opportunity for USA and Puerto Rico small business owners to participate in a free business development program. The 12-week program is intended to provide participants with practical skills, networking, mentorship, and the development of a customized business pla...

GrantWatch ID#: 200771

Grants and In-Kind Support to USA Businesses to Promote Success in the Digital Economy

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants and in-kind support to USA, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands small businesses to promote growth and success in the digital economy. Applicants are required to participate in coaching, training, and/or community events prior to applying. The purpose of the...

GrantWatch ID#: 203285

Grants to USA Businesses for Natural Disaster Recovery and Preparedness

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants of $5,000 to USA and territories businesses to prepare for and recover from natural disasters. The purpose of the program is to assist the owners of small businesses in preparing for disasters, and to provide turnaround relief funding for those prepared bus...

GrantWatch ID#: 203390

Grants to California Livestock Producers to Compensate for Losses Related to Wild Animals

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to California livestock producers to compensate for losses related to wild animals. Funding is intended to help livestock owners recover costs associated with the direct loss of livestock. The goal of the program is to minimize the impact wolves have on ind...

GrantWatch ID#: 204130

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Journalists and Newsrooms for Investigative Projects ...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA, Canada, and International journalists and newsrooms for investigative projects with a focus on inequities in healthcare. The purpose of the program is to help expose health system failures and inequities. Funding may be used for the hard costs of re...

GrantWatch ID#: 204813

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Journalists and Newsrooms for Investigative Projects ...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA, Canada, and International journalists and newsrooms for investigative projects with a focus on gender equality. Special consideration will be given to projects that focus on systemic issues, projects that include and elevate underrepresented voices,...

GrantWatch ID#: 204815

Grants to California Small Businesses for Expenses Associated with Employees Being Out on Leave

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants of up to $2,000 to California small businesses for expenses associated with employees being out on leave. Funding is intended to support the recruitment, hiring, and training of additional staff as well as cross-training and upgrading of skills of existing ...

GrantWatch ID#: 205185

Loans to USA Nonprofits and For-Profits for Disaster Relief Efforts

Deadline: Ongoing

Loans to USA and territories nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and agricultural cooperatives for disaster relief efforts in eligible locations. Funding is intended for economic recovery support and operating expenses for businesses that are not able to me...

GrantWatch ID#: 205930

Grants to California Nonprofits, Agencies, Schools, and For-Profits to Expand Access to Drinki...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants of up to $5,000 to California nonprofit organizations, agencies, schools, IHEs, and for-profit companies to expand access to drinking water in eligible locations. Priority will be given to proposals that serve disadvantaged communities and school-age childr...

GrantWatch ID#: 205947

Grants to California Commercial Property Owners and Tenants for Property Improvements

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to California commercial property owners and tenants for property improvements and renovations in eligible locations. The goal of the program is to encourage economic revitalization as well as to enhance the city's commercial corridors. Eligible properties ...

GrantWatch ID#: 206485

Grants and In-Kind Support to USA Start-Ups Led by Military Veterans for Assistance in Busines...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants and in-kind support to USA start-up business ventures led by military veterans. The purpose of this program is to help veteran entrepreneurs successfully build their businesses. In addition to funding, businesses will receive support in strategic planning, ...

GrantWatch ID#: 206648

Grants to USA Farmers, Ranchers, and Landowners to Implement Conservation Practices in Agricul...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA farmers, ranchers, and landowners to implement conservation practices in agriculture. Applicants must contact the funding source prior to submitting an application. Successful applicants will receive funding and technical assistance in order to devel...

GrantWatch ID#: 207277

Grants to California Small Businesses and Nonprofits for Vandalism Repair Support

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to California small businesses and nonprofit organizations in eligible regions to offset costs associated with vandalism and other crime-related losses. Funding is intended to support expenses incurred by storefront repairs, and may also be used for boardin...

GrantWatch ID#: 208194

Opportunity for USA Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners to Participate in a Professional D...

Deadline: Ongoing

Opportunity for USA entrepreneurs and small business owners to participate in a professional development program to gain valuable resources, connections, and skills. The two-to-three-month program will provide group education workshops and individualized coaching ...

GrantWatch ID#: 208319

Grants to California Businesses to Create Outdoor Gathering and Dining Places

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants of up to $20,000 to California businesses in eligible regions to create outdoor gathering and dining places. Priority will be given to projects that benefit underserved communities. Funding may be used for the costs of permits, construction, and design of p...

GrantWatch ID#: 209170

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Organizations, Businesses, and Individuals for Projec...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA, Canada, and International organizations, businesses, and individuals for projects related to cybersecurity. Funding is intended to develop cybersecurity capabilities powered by artificial intelligence. Priority will be given to projects that incorpo...

GrantWatch ID#: 209338

Grants to USA Qualifying State and Local Associations for Disaster Relief

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants to USA qualifying state and local associations for disaster relief. Applicants must contact staff prior to submitting an application. Applicants must contact staff prior to applying. Funding is intended to address housing-related concerns in communities fol...

GrantWatch ID#: 210441

Financial Assistance to USA Pharmacy Owners to Repair Pharmacies Following a Disaster

Deadline: Ongoing

Financial assistance to USA and territories pharmacy owners to repair pharmacies following a disaster. Funding is intended to repair community pharmacies in the wake of illnesses, accidents, disasters, and other unfortunate circumstances. Applicants do not need to...

GrantWatch ID#: 210442

Grants to USA and Canada Individuals and Businesses for Disaster Relief Efforts

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants of up to $2,000 and grants of up to $2,500 to USA and Canada businesses and individuals in the rental sector for assistance in the wake of a disaster. Funding is intended to provide support after natural disasters that significantly impacted rental operatio...

GrantWatch ID#: 210493

Grants to USA For-Profits, Nonprofits, Agencies, Tribal Entities, and IHEs for Programs and Ev...

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants of up to $7,000 and grants of up to $10,000 to USA and territories government and tribal agencies, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, IHEs, faith-based entities, workforce agencies, and veterans service organizations for events and programs that benefi...

GrantWatch ID#: 211725

Grants and In-Kind Support to USA, Canada, and International Businesses to Upgrade Systems

Deadline: Ongoing

Grants and in-kind support to USA, Canada, and International businesses, startups, and fintechs to help them streamline and upgrade their payment systems. In addition to monetary support, companies will receive mentorship, marketing support, and the use of the fun...

GrantWatch ID#: 212065
GrantWatch Intelligence™ Uncover best-fit funders faster. Let AI-powered GrantWatch Intelligence do the searching, so you can focus on applying. Try GrantWatch Intelligence →

Navigating Small Business & Entrepreneur Funding

Unlike loans, business grants provide non-dilutive capital that does not need to be repaid. Funding sources range from federal innovation programs to private corporate initiatives supporting women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned small businesses. GrantWatch is a full grant lifecycle platform, supporting every stage from prospecting through post-award reporting, with the Grant Prospecting Dashboard and Grant Funding Pipeline to track opportunities, GrantWatch Intelligence™ to uncover best-fit funders faster, and the AI Grant Writing Tool to accelerate proposal development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to search or apply for grants on GrantWatch?

A free GrantWatch account includes newsletter updates, access to grant listings, and light use of the Grant Prospecting Dashboard, Grant Funding Pipeline, Claim Your Profile, and AI Grant Writing Tool features. To fully search, filter, and track grants as a serious grant seeker, a MemberPlus+ subscription is required. GrantWatch does not charge a fee to apply for a grant directly with a funding source, and never requires payment in exchange for a guaranteed award.

Do small businesses and LLCs actually qualify for grants?

Yes. Thousands of federal, state, and corporate grant programs specifically fund for-profit small businesses, technology startups, agricultural operations, and local service providers.

Are there grants available for new startup businesses?

Yes. Startup grants are available through state economic development agencies, business incubators, corporate pitch competitions, and federal research initiatives.

What is the difference between a small business grant and a loan?

Grants provide equity-free, non-repayable capital meant for business development, hiring, R&D, or expansion. Loans require full repayment with interest.

Are there specific grants for women, minority, or veteran business owners?

Yes. Corporations and government agencies regularly launch dedicated grant initiatives aimed at supporting diverse founders and veterans.

How often is the GrantWatch grant database updated?

GrantWatch's research team human-verifies and updates listings daily, with over a thousand new grant opportunities added each week. Deadlines, eligibility rules, and award amounts are checked regularly to keep the database accurate.