Mesa Small Business Assistance Program

The Albuquerque Black Business Fund provides Albuquerque-based for-profit and nonprofit businesses with grants of up to $5,000 to support economic empowerment and growth in the local business community. Administered by the Black Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico, the program is structured into three tiers based on business maturity, with award amounts scaling upward as documented business tenure and financial reporting increase. Tier One awards up to $2,000 to businesses in operation for at least six months. Tier Two awards up to $3,500 to businesses in operation for at least two years, with current tax filings required. Tier Three awards up to $5,000 to businesses in operation for at least three years, with three years of tax filings and current financial statements required. To qualify at any tier, applicants must be registered and operating within the Albuquerque city limits, have a primary business location in Albuquerque (P.O. Boxes are not permitted), be in good standing with the New Mexico Secretary of State, and be a current member of the Black Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico (small businesses with 1 to 5 employees can join the Chamber for an annual fee of $100). Both for-profit and nonprofit/tax-exempt organizations are eligible. For-profit applicants must specify how grant funds will benefit and grow their business, while nonprofits must specify how funds will be used for programs that serve the community. Example uses include equipment or supplies, hiring additional staff, marketing and promotional activities, rent or lease payments for business premises, training or continuing education, community-based programs, and other strategic investments to enhance operations. Applications are accepted on a quarterly cycle, and previous grant recipients are not eligible to receive additional grants under this program. Award amounts are subject to change based on fund balance, and all grant recipients must submit a report within one year detailing how the funds were spent and their impact on the business or organization, including proof of expenditure.

The Lifting Up Small Businesses in the Bronx grant program awards a total of $145,000 to 26 Bronx small businesses each cycle, including 25 grants of $5,000 and one $20,000 grand prize. Administered by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Optimum Business, the program is designed to strengthen the borough's small business ecosystem, empower local entrepreneurs, and foster broader economic growth across Bronx neighborhoods. Beyond the cash grant, grant recipients who are current Bronx Chamber of Commerce members receive a complimentary 6-month extension of their membership, while recipients who are new to the Chamber receive a full year of complimentary membership. As part of the application, business owners must describe how the grant funding would help their business grow and how it will strengthen the community the business serves. To qualify, applicants must operate a business with a brick-and-mortar location in a Bronx community that Optimum serves, employ 10 or fewer people, have been in operation for at least one year, and be in good standing with all federal, state, and local laws and taxing jurisdictions. Bronx Chamber of Commerce membership and Optimum Business customer status are not considered in the evaluation, and grants are distributed by check to selected recipients.

The City of Hercules has allocated $200,000 to attract certain types of desired eating and drinking businesses, and general businesses in larger retail spaces, by helping with move-in costs. The program provides grants of $5,000 (minimum) to $25,000 (maximum) for qualified new eating & drinking establishments, and $50,000 to $100,000 for qualified general businesses in larger spaces. The grant amount must be matched by the applicant.

SMILE Health is a collaboration between CareQuest Innovation Partners and MATTER to advance emerging startups by curating connections to investors and customers, sharpening their value propositions, and supporting diverse founders. Accepted members will receive a $2,500 non-dilutive stipend as a part of their membership

The Warrior Rising Business Showers awards non-dilutive grants ranging from $2,000 to $150,000 to veteran, military spouse, and immediate family entrepreneurs through invitation-only pitch competitions held in cities across the country (past events have taken place in Cedar Rapids, Washington D.C., and Salt Lake City). Administered by Warrior Rising, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting veteran entrepreneurship, Business Showers are the organization's flagship pitch events where top finalists compete for real capital with no equity requirements or other strings attached. Eligibility to compete is earned by completing Warrior University, Warrior Rising's advanced entrepreneurship education cohort for veteran and military spouse founders with early-stage startups. Warrior University is a fully virtual program offered quarterly over two evenings, hosted in partnership with flagship educational institutions, and delivers expert-led instruction in strategy, business model design, customer discovery, competitive analysis, and go-to-market planning. Graduates who earn a certificate of completion may then apply to compete at a Business Shower, with only the most competitive graduates selected. Selected finalists receive covered flights and hotel accommodations, individualized pitch coaching leading up to the event, live access to investors and decision-makers, and long-term partner introductions. Together, Warrior University and Business Showers form a pathway that combines advanced training with the opportunity to earn meaningful startup funding.