DC Robust Retail Citywide Grants

Binc helps bookstore owners, booksellers, and comic store employees and owners with unforeseen emergency financial needs. The Foundation assesses each request to determine how best to provide relief. If approved, grants are typically paid to third-party vendors.

The Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability’s (DES) free Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE) program helps businesses reduce their environmental impact while creating a healthier environment for their employees, customers and community by offering on-site assessments to reduce pollution. Once an assessment has been completed, eligible businesses will have the opportunity to apply for grant funding. This funding will go towards solutions that save money, reduce impact on the environment and modernize operations.

The CFDA x NY Forward Grant Fund, created in partnership with the New York State Department of State, is dedicated to sustaining the New York City Garment District, the historic heart of American fashion production. The program will provide grants to New York City Garment District-based fashion manufacturers as well as designers producing in-house. Two rounds of funding will be distributed, one in 2026 and another in 2027, empowering businesses to invest in innovation, expand production capacity, and preserve local jobs, contributing to the revitalization of this commercial hub. In each round, one manufacturer recipient will also receive the Ralph Lauren Manufacturing Award, providing the full grant amount in recognition of the most innovative approach to advancing their business.

Underrepresented communities continue to fuel entrepreneurship nationwide, with historically excluded founders driving innovation and economic growth. Despite this momentum, systemic barriers still prevent many from accessing the funding they need to scale. That is why we are excited to announce the return of the Dream Makers Founder Grant in 2025! This $1 million grant fund, established by Nancy Twine, is dedicated to supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs and elevating the talents and innovations of historically excluded founders. As part of this multi-year commitment, the Pledge will award $125,000 annually, distributing five $25,000 grants each year to outstanding business owners.

Etsy is committed to helping our creative entrepreneurs recover when disasters disrupt their businesses. We’ve partnered with CERF+, a nonprofit organization focused on helping artists prepare for and recover from emergencies and disasters, to create a disaster relief fund just for Etsy sellers. Each quarter, we work with CERF+ to award grants to a select number of eligible sellers. Any Etsy seller who has experienced a federally declared disaster within the past year may apply for a grant, as long as they’ve been an active seller on Etsy for at least one year, and their accounts with Etsy are in good standing.

Our small business grant program gives select new stores $5,000 to use on Faire to stock their shelves with amazing products. It’s our way of helping you kickstart your dream shop.

This program offers up to $10,000 in reimbursable financial support to West Virginia farmers, independent grocery stores, and producers who use locally grown products.

A grant and technical assistance program with different components for new and existing small retail and food related businesses located primarily in the greater Hartford region. Grant awardees must have participated in a corresponding technical assistance program. ReSET is prioritizing businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and those located in distressed municipalities in the greater Hartford region, as well as entrepreneurs living in or serving the greater Hartford area who are interested in developing and scaling a food business, including food products and services. Between 36 and 45 grants will be awarded each year over the five-year span of the program. Grants range from $500 to $2,000.

The Cannabis Business Assistance Loan/Grant Fund (CBAF) is a financing resource operated by the Maryland Department of Commerce (Commerce), to provide grants and loans for small businesses, including small, minority-owned and small women-owned businesses entering the adult-use cannabis industry. CBAF may also provide grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for cannabis-related programs and to business development organizations, including incubators, to train and assist small businesses, including minority and women business owners and entrepreneurs, seeking to become licensed to participate in the adult-use cannabis industry.

This grant is designed to meet the needs of MAryland urban farmers by providing an incentive for beginning urban farmers to seek commercial lender financing for the development of their urban agricultural enterprises, including the purchase of a farm property in an eligible urban area. MARBIDCO has partnered with Horizon Farm Credit to establish and manage this fund.

Maryland's Winery and Vineyard Economic Development Grant Program provides financial assistance to individuals and corporations to establish a new winery or vineyard in the State or complete capital improvements at an existing winery or vineyard. Commerce will provide a grant to an individual or corporation for 25% of “qualified capital expenses.”

Minority-owned beauty brands are eligible to apply for this accelerator program hosted by Ulta Beauty. In addition to the educational programming and workshops, selected businesses will receive $50,000 in grant funding.

The SBLLG supports the purchase of an Inactive Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License by a small business. Assisting with the purchase of an inactive plenary retail consumption liquor license supports the growth and success of New Jersey’s small service businesses. This product aligns with legislation P.L. 2023, c.290 regarding inactive plenary retail consumption liquor licenses and allows NJ small businesses the opportunity to purchase one. This grant will reimburse a NJ small business up to 50% of the cost of the inactive license, not to exceed $100,000.

The Business Development & Expansion Grant is part of the State of New Mexico’s continued investment in the creative economy, uplifting small creative businesses, strengthening local economic engines, and supporting improvements that fuel long-term growth.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The NourishMD Grant Program is a targeted investment designed to expand access to healthy and fresh foods in Maryland communities experiencing food insecurity by providing direct grants to eligible retailers. The program will provide grants of $25,000-$150,000. Elligible applicants include any food retailers that serve a community with a Maryland Community Business Compass (MCBC)​ Fresh Food Gap Score of 60% or higher and operate at least 5 days per week.

The Oklahoma Healthy Food Financing Program aims to promote the availability and sale of healthy food options in low-income and underserved communities. The program provides grants of up to $10,000 to build, renovate, or expand grocery and retail outlets to improve the availability of fresh produce and healthy foods. Eligible projects include new stores, small retailers, and renovations. Recipients must agree to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and allocate at least 30% of retail space to the sale of fresh, perishable foods, among other stipulations.

Food Export USA–Northeast (Food Export–Northeast) is a nonprofit organization created in 1973 as a cooperative effort between 10 Northeastern state agricultural promotion agencies and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Export’s goal is to provide a wide range of services to facilitate trade between Northeastern food suppliers and importers around the world. With the Branded Program, you may double your budget with 50% cost reimbursement on: -International website development -Foreign market-compliant packaging and labels -Advertising and public relations -In-store promotions and product demonstrations -Fees for exhibiting at select overseas and domestic trade shows -Marketing and point-of-sale materials -Freight costs for product samples

The Restaurant Business Development Program is designed to support restaurant owners like you by offering comprehensive business development assistance valued at $15,000. This program ensures your business is financially sustainable, operationally sound, and advancing towards your next culinary endeavor. Cohorts will receive six months of intentional consultations followed up with educational training service, continuous training and services, extend to support you with procedures that will help you process and maintain your business.

The Small Business Construction Mitigation Grant supports businesses in Salt Lake City that have been negatively impacted by nearby construction sites. Eligible independent merchants in the restaurant, retail, and bar spaces can get grants of $3,000 to put toward rent/mortgage, marketing, business improvements, and more.

The San Francisco Environment Department is offering grants of up to $2,500 to help food service businesses lease or purchase an automatic dishwasher, cover minor installation costs, and buy essential dishwashing supplies. The purpose of this grant is to help San Francisco food service businesses reduce waste by building or expanding their reusable foodware use and systems for on-site dining. Funding is specifically intended to support businesses in transitioning from disposable foodware and to long-term reuse solutions, in alignment with San Francisco’s zero waste goals. Grants are available only until funding runs out. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Santander's Cultivate Small Business program helps early-stage entrepreneurs in the food industry, with a focus on historically underserved businesses. Through this program, business owners participate in a 12-week virtual education curriculum that includes mentorship and networking. Business owners also receive up to $20,000 in capital grants. To qualify, you must have been in business for at least one year, have between one and 10 full-time employees and have generated between $25,000 and $1 million in revenue in the past year.

The Southern Smoke Foundation's Emergency Relief Program provides emergency funding to the owners and employees of restaurants and bars facing unforeseen circumstances that cannot be covered by insurance. To qualify, you must be experiencing an unforeseen crisis and currently be employed within the food and beverage industry, working at least 30 hours per week for a minimum of six months.

The Halstead Grant is an annual award for emerging silver jewelry artists. Applicants submit answers to 15 business questions in addition to their design portfolios. The experience is designed to help jewelry entrepreneurs create a strategy to kick-start their careers. The grand prize is a $7,500 cash grant plus other benefits.

​The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection administers a Dairy Processor Grant program whose goal is to foster innovation, improve profitability and sustain the long-term viability of Wisconsin’s dairy processing facilities. Eligible applicants must operate a licensed dairy processing plant in Wisconsin engaged in pasteurizing, processing or manufacturing m​ilk or dairy products. Recipients are chosen through a competitive process. A total grant up to $50,000 is available per dairy processor per year. The dairy processor is required to provide a match of at least 20% of the grant amount.​

Anyone who owns a farmers market in West Virginia can benefit from these grants of $5000. The money can be used towards either infrastructure, such as coolers, display cases, structures, etc., or marketing materials to promote your market. Besides traditional farmers’ markets, the grant is also open to roadside stands, consignment, on-farm stands, mobile markets, and online sellers.