The Best Business Grants in Indiana
May 1, 2026
Updated:
Securing capital is often the biggest hurdle for any founder. While loans and credit cards are common, they come with the weight of repayment and interest. Grants are the ideal alternative because they generally don't have to be paid back. However, there is a catch: grants are highly competitive and can be very difficult to find. We've built this guide to help you understand the grant landscape in Indiana.
Indiana businesses benefit from a network of grants that emphasize accessibility over huge dollar amounts. The state doesn't have the mega programs that can be found elsewhere, but Indiana's grant ecosystem is much broader at the local level. Cities including Bloomington, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Madison, and Danville each run their own programs supporting small business growth, facade improvements, and security upgrades. Most awards are smaller (typically under $50,000), making them well-suited to everyday businesses, family operations, and early-stage entrepreneurs.
State-level activity comes primarily through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and the Department of Workforce Development, with the IEDC focused on business growth and the Department of Workforce Development supporting employee training programs. Beyond the state agencies, Indiana benefits from a strong network of city-administered grants and a notable annual grant program from FHLBank Indianapolis, which together represent the bulk of available funding for Indiana businesses.
Indiana businesses are also eligible for hundreds of national grant programs through federal agencies, corporate grantors, and non-profit foundations. Those programs aren't covered on this page, but you can search our complete grant database to see every local and national grant your business qualifies for. You can also join our free weekly newsletter to get new Indiana grants delivered to your inbox as soon as they open.
INDIANA GRANTS
FHLBank Elevate Grants
FHLBank Indianapolis
Small businesses are the foundations of our communities, and together with our members, we want to help them thrive with the FHLBank Indianapolis Elevate grant.
We believe that strong small businesses generate more economic opportunities for everyone. With an Elevate grant, our members can help their small business customers expand or train new or retain existing workers.
Small businesses throughout Indiana and Michigan have used Elevate to help fund training and professional development opportunities, technological enhancements, new or upgraded equipment and more.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$20,000
Bloomington SEEL Grant
City of Bloomington
The City of Bloomington is now accepting applications for the 2026 Solar, Energy Efficiency, and Lighting (SEEL) Grant Program. The program offers up to $25,000 in grant funding and technical assistance to local small businesses and nonprofits. The goal is to help organizations improve building efficiency, install solar panels or add battery storage.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, schools, early childhood centers, healthcare facilities, grocery stores, multifamily residential complexes and small businesses with fewer than 500 full-time employees. Organizations must own a facility within city limits, but renters can apply with documented agreement from the property owner.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$25,000
Fort Wayne SEED Business Grant
City of Fort Wayne
The Summit City Entrepreneur and Enterprise District created the SEED Business Grant to help businesses with operating equipment, interior enhancements, selected improvements, and professional services. The program provides funding of up to $5,000 to eligible businesses. The Grant assists those business owners to promote reinvestment, strengthen Fort Wayne's commercial activity, and enhance economic vitality in the SEED District.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$5,000
Indiana Fever Small Business Assist Program
Old National Bank
Old National Bank and the Indiana Fever have launched the second annual Small Business Assist Program to spotlight and support outstanding small businesses across Indiana. The program invites Indiana residents to nominate their business or a deserving small-business owner for a chance to be recognized and receive financial support. It celebrates local businesses making a positive impact in their communities while elevating their stories statewide. A $5,000 grand prize will be awarded to one selected business.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$5,000
Indiana Innovation Ventures
Applied Research Institute
Innovation Vouchers are used to leverage Indiana’s research and higher education institutions, as well as approved non-profit research organizations to provide small businesses access to industry experts and research leaders. This grant will match your company’s funding for up to $50,000 and can be utilized for product development, simulations, studies, and more – all to help entrepreneurs in the State of Indiana develop innovative products and services.
These grants are evaluated three times a year.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$50,000
Indiana Job Training Grant
Indiana Department of Workforce Development
As your company grows and develops, so will your demand for a larger well-trained workforce. Expanding your workforce can be costly, but through the help of WorkOne, you can reduce the cost of hiring and training new employees. WorkOne will reimburse employers up to 50% of new employee wages for on-the-job training.
THIS IS NOT A TAX CREDIT. It is an actual check sent to your company for a portion of the trainees’ wages during the training period of up to six months. The training must pay at least $13.50 per hour.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$15,000
Indiana SBIR/STTR Match
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation provides a state grant match to Indiana companies that have received a Phase I or II award through a federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant program. The maximum award amount is $50,000 for Phase I and $75,000 for Phase II.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$75,000
Indiana Technical Assistance Program
Indiana Small Business Development Center
INTAP is an annual program that helps small Indiana businesses complete growth and improvement projects by providing up to $15,000 in services from a qualified professional and technical vendor. This helps businesses secure the necessary skill set, qualifications, or technical expertise needed to execute a project.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$15,000
Indiana Workforce Training Grant
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
The Skills Enhancement Fund (SEF) provides assistance to businesses to support training and upgrading skills of employees required to support new capital investment. The grant may be provided to reimburse a portion (typically 50%) of eligible training costs over a period of two full calendar years from the commencement of the project.
Grants from the Skills Enhancement Fund must lead to post-secondary credentials, a nationally-recognized industry credential, or specialized company training for both new hires and existing workers, and an increase in wages for existing employees.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$10,000
Madison PACE Grant
City of Madison, IN
The primary goal of the PACE Grant Program is to promote economic development by encouraging proper exterior historic rehabilitation and preservation to both residential and commercial properties located within the City of Madison. This program provides eligible private-property owners with funds to aid in their rehabilitation or preservation projects.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$25,000
South Bend Vibrant Places Grant
City of South Bend
The Vibrant Places program supports local businesses that invest in improvements to their exterior appearance, including facades, landscaping, signage, and windows. The goal of the program is to enhance the vibrancy and improve the physical appearance of our commercial, industrial and mixed-use buildings.
Grants range from $1,500-$50K based on business location and project scope. Maximum grant amount: $30K-$50K, depending on the location of the business. Businesses are required to contribute matching funds toward the total project cost. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis. Businesses must cover expenses upfront and request reimbursement after project completion. Not all project components may qualify for reimbursement.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$50,000
Sync South Bend Security Grant
City of South Bend
We’ve improved and expanded on the 2023 Business Security Grant and are reopening as the Sync South Bend Security Grant. This grant will sponsor new technology installations or upgrades for organizations across the city. You can apply for either up to $4,000 of funds toward eligible installations like cameras, security infrastructure, or lighting OR up to $2,900 for reimbursement of only a fususCORE. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
$ GRANT AMOUNT
$4,000
Don't stop at state-level funding
Most business grants aren't geographic, they're tied to your industry, your stage, or your team. Our database tracks 500+ programs across every category, and our free newsletter delivers new grants to your inbox each week.