Grant opportunities for small businesses

Supporting minority & women-owned businesses grant opportunity 2025-2026

The Montgomery County LGBT Business Council is offering grant-funded technical assistance to historically disadvantages small businesses across Montgomery County, PA. Our goal is to provide resources, coaching, and support that help you grown, at no cost to your business. 

grant application deadline is APRIL 30TH, 2026.

Supporting Minority & Women-owned businesses Eligibility & What's Included.

Who Qualifies?

To be eligible, your business must meet at least one of the following criteria.. 

  • 51% minority-owned
  • 51% women-owned
  • Located in a HUD Qualified Census Tract (QCT)
  • Negatively impacted by COVID-19 – Required if not located in HUD Qualified Census Tract (QCT)
  • Fewer than 500 employees
  • Current Business Council Member

 

 

What does the Grant Cover?

Businesses that qualify can receive support in the following areas:

📊 1:1 Coaching & Guidance — Finance, compliance, marketing, and operations

🧑‍💻 Workshops & Cohorts — Digital tools, growth strategies, and capital readiness

📄 Application Support — Help with certifications and financing applications

🤝 Connections — Access to a statewide network of business resources and partners

💡 These services are funded by grant opportunities to eliminate financial barriers for your business.

how to apply!

  1. Complete our online application form (https://forms.gle/twcQJKKPHVGTAwpr6) 
  2. Provide Basic information about your business (ownership, location, size)
  3. Confirm your eligibility, if you are having a hard time determining, click the option on the application to have a board member reach out to you to confirm eligibility. 
  4. Once eligibility is confirmed and grant approved, our team will connect you with a technical assistance provider based off of your current business needs. 
  5. Begin receiving services tailored to your business needs. 

FAQ

A: Small businesses in Montgomery County that are minority-owned, women-owned, located in a HUD Qualified Census Tract (QCT), or have fewer than 500 employees. 

A: It means the costs of services like coaching, workshops, and application support are paid for through grant funding. You don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for these services. 

A: Services include: 1:1 business coaching, workshops, guidance on compliance and marketing, and help completing financing or certification applications.

A: Grant opportunities are available until the Deadline of April 30th, 2026.

A: You can use the HUD QCT map tool available above or by clicking here (), or our team can help you determine eligibility by clicking that option on the application. 

A: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through April 30th, 2026 or until funds are fully allocated.

A: Once we receive and review your intake form, you’ll hear from us within the first 1-2 weeks. The process itself will take on average 2-4 weeks to allow for review of eligibility and TA provider connection.  

A: No, the funds are not direct cash grant. Instead, they cover the cost of technical assistance services delivered through our inclusive partner network. 

State resources for Small businesses in montgomery county

Small Business in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is home to 1.1 million small businesses and employs 2.5 million individuals — about half of the state’s private workforce. Small businesses play a vital role in Pennsylvania’s economy, accounting for 99.6 percent of businesses in the state. Their economic impact is evident across a variety of business sectors here, ranging from professional services, retail, construction, and health care to manufacturing, education, and beyond.

Read more about how small businesses are finding success in Pennsylvania on the #PAProud blog.

- HTTPS://BUSINESS.PA.GOV/PA-PROUD/SMALL-BUSINESSES-IN-PENNSYLVANIA/

State resources for women-owned businesses

The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide services to all small business populations and make special efforts to reach members of historically underrepresented and underserved populations, including women. Understanding the unique challenges women face, the SBDCs provide services tailored to their specific needs. In fact, women-and jointly-owned businesses consistently represent over half of their client base. Learn more about the Opens in new window SBDC resources for women-owned businesses in Pennsylvania.

- HTTPS://BUSINESS.PA.GOV/PA-PROUD/SMALL-BUSINESSES-IN-PENNSYLVANIA/

State resources for minority-owned businesses

Minority-owned businesses are growing at a much faster rate than that of U.S. businesses overall. The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide services to all small business populations and make special efforts to reach members of historically underrepresented and underserved populations, including minorities. Spanish-speaking business services are also available for our minority-owned businesses. Learn more about the SBDC resources for minority-owned businesses in Pennsylvania.

-https://business.pa.gov/GROW/SUPPORTING-DIVERSE-BUSINESSES/SUPPORTING-MINORITY-OWNED-BUSINESSES/

State resources for LGBTQ+ businesses

The experts from the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) provide services to all the small business populations and make special efforts to reach members of historically underrepresented and underserved populations. Visit the SBDC website to find your local SBDCand learn more about the resources and services they offer. 

- https://business.pa.gov/grow/supporting-diverse-businesses/supporting-veteran-owned-businesses/

State resources for Veteran owned businesses

Veterans and reservists starting a small business in Pennsylvania are exempt from paying a business fee, which is any fee required to be paid to the state government or a political subdivision for starting or opening a business in the state. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website to learn more about the Veteran-Owned Business Fee Exemption and its requirements. For more general information about registering a business in Pennsylvania, make sure to view our Register section.

Veterans have a significant impact on the economy as owners of their own businesses. The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide services to all small business populations and make special efforts to reach members of all historically underrepresented and underserved populations, including veterans. Learn more about the SBDC resources for veteran-owned businesses in Pennsylvania.

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program is a one-stop shop for transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses looking to start, purchase, or grow a business. VBOCs provide transition assistance programs, including nationally acclaimed Boots to Business and Boots to Business Reboot, as well as business development assistance such as training, counseling, mentoring, and resource referrals. Opens in new windowThe Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) at Penn State also serves Pennsylvania residents.

-https://business.pa.gov/GROW/SUPPORTING-DIVERSE-BUSINESSES/SUPPORTING-VETERAN-OWNED-BUSINESSES/

State Funding - PA Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED)

You can find a list of all available programs administered by DCED on their Programs and Funding webpage. If you find a program in which you are interested, select the program and review the PDF guidelines on the program overview page for eligibility information and how to apply.

-https://business.pa.gov/grow/small-business-funding/