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Minority Owned Businesses

The following resources provide information on government programs and services that help members of minority groups start their own businesses, and conduct business with the federal government.

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Federal Programs and Resources

  • HUBZone Program
    A program sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration that helps businesses in historically underutilized areas gain access to federal procurement opportunities.
  • Minority Business Development Agency
    A federal agency created specifically to foster the establishment and growth of minority-owned businesses in America. Find information on financing a business as well as business opportunities.
  • Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference
    Information about this federally-sponsored, national conference focused on issues affecting the growth and development of minority business enterprises.
  • SBA Office of 8(a) Business Development
    Information about programs and services that help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy and federal procurement market.
  • SBA Office of Native American Affairs
    The Office of Native American Affairs offers programs and resources to American Indians, Native Alaskans and Native Hawaiians seeking to create, develop and expand small businesses.

Starting Your Business

Financing Your Business

Federal and state government agencies do not provide grants to minorities for starting a business. However, there are a number of low-interest loan programs that help individuals obtain startup financing. Some non-profit and local organizations provide a small number of grants to help minorities and those in economic disadvantaged communities to start and expand businesses. Visit the Loans and Grants Search Tool to get a full list of grant, loan, and venture capital programs for which you might qualify.

  • ACCION USA Small Business Loans
    Offers flexible loans (up to $50,000) to small business owners who have limited or no access to traditional business credit, including women and minorities.
  • SBA Prequalification Loan Program
    Intermediary organizations assist prospective borrowers in developing viable loan application packages and securing loans. This program targets low income borrowers, disabled business owners, new and emerging businesses, veterans, exporters, rural and specialized industries.
  • U.S. Dept of the Interior - Indian Loan Guaranty and Interest Subsidy Program
    Financing for Indian-owned businesses that significantly contribute to a Tribe's economy.
  • USDA Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
    Makes and guarantees loans to approved socially disadvantaged applicants to buy and operate family-size farms and ranches.
  • Delaware Access Program
    Low collateral loan program geared to small businesses, including minority and women owned businesses.
  • Hawaii Consumer Micro-Loan Program
    Provides low cost loans up to $7,500 to Native Hawaiians who are experiencing temporary financial hardship due to unforeseen events, or who wish to enhance their careers.
  • Illinois Minority, Women, and Disabled Participation Loan Program
    Small businesses that are 51 percent owned and managed by persons who are minorities, women, or disabled, with loans up to loans up to $50,000 or 50 % of the total project.
  • Iowa Target Small Business Assistance Program
    Provides loans, loan guaranty, and equity grants of up to $50,000 to help women, minorities and persons with disabilities start and expand their businesses.
  • Massachusetts BDC Capital Community Loans
    Financing programs for women-owned, minority-owned businesses.
  • Mississippi Capital Access Loan Program
    Provides financing for borrowers who, for various reasons, might have difficulty in obtaining conventional loans. Borrowers must apply for a loan through a lending institution.
  • Mississippi Minority Business Enterprise Loan Program
    Assists new and existing minority businesses in gaining access to needed capital in the form of direct low-interest loans.
  • Montana Indian Equity Fund
    A grant to assist a current Native American business or a new Native American business owner. The funds are available only to enrolled members of Montana’s federally recognized tribes in Montana and to enrolled members of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe.
  • Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund
    Loans to help start-up and expansion of Native Hawaiian owned businesses.
  • Nebraska: Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation Small Business Loan
    Microlans available to any new or existing business or community development project that is located on or near the Winnebago Indian Reservation.
  • New Jersey Urban Plus
    Provides financial support to small, women- or minority-owned businesses, manufacturers, redevelopers and non-profit organizations in the following endorsed New Jersey municipalities: Camden, Trenton, Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, East Orange, New Brunswick, and Atlantic City.
  • New Mexico Community Development Loan Fund
    Assists businesses and non-profits that provide positive social benefits, meet other special requirements, and are unable to access loans from traditional sources, such as banks. Particular emphasis is placed on helping low-income people, women and minorities.
  • New York State Micro Loans for Minority and Women Owned Businesses
    Listing of organizations that provide micro loans to businesses who often do not qualify for bank loans as well as one-on-one counseling and business development assistance to facilitate credit-readiness. Funds are provided by the state's Community Development Financial Institution Assistance Program.
  • Ohio Mini-Loan Guarantee Program
    Provides loan guarantees for fixed assets for small business (start-up or existing business expansion) for projects of $100,000 or less. The state has targeted 50 percent of the guarantee funds for allocation to businesses owned by minorities and women.
  • Ohio Minority Direct Loan Program
    Provides direct loans for businesses locating or expanding in Ohio that demonstrate they will create new jobs for Ohio citizens.
  • Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority
    Low-interest loan financing to businesses owned and operated by ethnic minorities. Funds may be used for fixed assets including land and building acquisition; building, construction and renovation; machinery and equipment acquisition and installation; and working capital.
  • Tennessee Small and Minority-Owned Business Assistance Program
    Financial assistance for new, expanding and existing businesses in Tennessee that do not have reasonable access to capital markets and traditional commercial lending facilities.
  • Wisconsin Linked Deposit Loan Subsidy
    Provides an interest rate subsidy on lender financing to women or minorities who start-up or expand a business.

Business Training and Assistance

Minority Business Development Centers (MBDC) help entrepreneurs and business owners in local communities throughout the country start, grow and manage their businesses. MBDC's offer training courses, one-on-one assistance, and other services that help minority business enterprises succeed.

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