The Best Business Grants in North Carolina

City of Asheville

The Asheville Recovers Together Grant provides Asheville, North Carolina small businesses impacted by Tropical Storm Helene with reimbursement grants of $5,000 to $75,000 to support recovery and ongoing operations. Funded by the City of Asheville and jointly administered by ArtsAVL, Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation, and Mountain BizWorks in collaboration with community partners across the city, the program is designed to help local businesses stabilize, recover, and grow following the storm's economic impact. Grant funds may be used for payroll, rent and utilities, inventory, supplies and equipment, marketing, and other eligible business operating expenses, and may also support efforts to rehire staff, replace lost inventory, add jobs, or launch new products and services.

Eligible applicants must have a primary location within Asheville city limits, have been operating before September 27, 2024, have experienced financial losses due to Hurricane Helene that were not fully covered by insurance or other funding, have owners who are legal U.S. residents, have generated at least $20,000 in revenue in one of the last three years, and be currently open or have a plan to reopen. Businesses must also be in good standing with no active bankruptcies, tax liens, or federal funding bans. Nonprofits, cannabis-related operations, passive real estate or investment holdings, political or lobbying organizations, adult entertainment businesses, corporate-owned national franchises or chains, and residential short-term rentals are not eligible. Awards are issued as reimbursements, requiring applicants to pay eligible expenses upfront and then submit receipts or proof of payment for review and approval.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$75,000

City of Charlotte

The Charlotte Business Matching Grants program provides commercial property owners and businesses in Charlotte with matching reimbursement grants of up to $90,000 to improve building appearance, enhance safety, and upgrade interior spaces. Administered by the City of Charlotte's Economic Development Department, the program is offered through three grant pathways covering exterior renovations, interior upgrades, and security improvements. Across all three tracks, the city reimburses 50% of eligible project costs up to the maximum grant award, with reimbursement issued after project completion, inspection, and submission of paid receipts. Eligible applicants include owners or tenants of for-profit commercial buildings located within the eligible geography, as well as national or regional chains headquartered in the Charlotte MSA. Vacant buildings may also qualify if the project is intended to attract eligible tenants.

The Façade Improvement Grant provides up to $90,000 for commercial property owners and tenants renovating building exteriors and bringing signs, landscaping, and parking into compliance with city code. Eligible improvements include approved architectural façade renovations, signage and parking upgrades, landscaping, and infrastructure improvements in the public right-of-way, with an additional reimbursement of up to $3,000 available for architectural fees.

The Interior Upfit Improvement Grant provides up to $30,000 to support renovations that enhance the functionality and code compliance of interior commercial spaces. Eligible improvements include HVAC, fire suppression, plumbing, and electrical systems; flooring, lighting, and wall reconfiguration; and interior restrooms and utility upgrades.

The Security Improvement Grant provides up to $5,000 for a single business or up to $20,000 for shopping centers with three or more tenants to fund physical security upgrades. Eligible improvements include security lighting, cameras, fencing, locking devices, security windows, alarm systems, ironwork, and trees and shrubbery.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$90,000

M&F Bank

The M&F Bank Empowering Growth Small Business Grant awards a $10,000 grant to one small business owner in each of the bank's North Carolina markets through annual application rounds rotating by geography. Administered by M&F Bank — a North Carolina-based community development financial institution founded in 1907 — the program supports small business owners across the bank's footprint in Durham, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and Charlotte, with the goal of strengthening the local communities the bank serves. Each application round is open to businesses located in one specific market and the surrounding counties, and a single winner is selected per round. To qualify, applicants must be an M&F Bank business customer with accounts in good standing, have been an M&F Bank customer for at least one year prior to applying, have gross annual revenues of $750,000 or less, have been in business for ten years or fewer, employ 25 people or fewer (including the owner), and maintain an active business website. Previous grant recipients are not eligible to reapply. Nonprofits, real estate investment firms, businesses with M&F Bank vendor ties, and M&F Bank employees or their relatives are also ineligible.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000

Mecklenburg County

The Mecklenburg County Business Investment Grant provides qualifying companies relocating to or expanding within Mecklenburg County, North Carolina with a partial refund of the new ad valorem property taxes generated by their project. Administered by the Mecklenburg County Office of Economic Development (OED) in collaboration with the City of Charlotte's Business Recruitment and Expansion team and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the program is designed to attract significant new investment and job creation to the county.

To qualify, a company must commit to bringing at least 20 new jobs and a minimum of $3 million in capital investment to Mecklenburg County. Grant terms — including the percentage of taxes refunded (typically 50% to 90%) and the length of the reimbursement period (generally three to seven years, with existing local companies eligible for extended terms) — are determined based on the number of jobs created, the size of the capital investment, average annual wages, the project's geographic location within the county, and whether the company falls within one of the area's identified target industries. The grant is structured as a reimbursement, meaning the company first pays its full property tax bill and is then refunded a portion of the incremental taxes generated by the new investment.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$250,000

NC IDEA

NC IDEA offers two grant programs to startups in North Carolina: IDEA Micro Grants and IDEA Seed Grants.

NC IDEA MICRO:
Through small, project-based grants, NC IDEA MICRO awards $10K in funding to startups actively moving their companies forward by validating assumptions and developing a business model. We have found that funding, paired with mentorship and guidance, early in a company’s lifecycle, can make a significant impact on future success.

NC IDEA SEED:
NC IDEA SEED offers early stage companies the critical funding they need to scale faster. Our $50K grants are awarded to innovative startups with a proven concept — even if they are not yet profitable. The funds, along with mentorship and guidance, push companies forward and reduce risk associated with growing startups.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$50,000

City of Ashboro

The Small Business Investment Incentive Program aims to assist companies that are too small to receive assistance from the state and federal government grow their workforce, expand into Asheboro, or improve their existing location.

The City will be offering two programs. The first program will provide funds for businesses that hire at least 5 new employees at 90% of the county average wage and maintain their role for at least 6 months. The second program will provide funds for eligible projects that improve vacant or underutilized commercial properties. This program will provide up to half the price of improvements for eligible expenses.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$30,000

City of Greenville

The Greenville Small Business Assistance Grant Program provides Greenville, North Carolina small businesses with grants of up to $50,000 to fund qualifying business expenses. Administered by the City of Greenville's Community and Development Services Department through its Business Development division, the program is geographically targeted to support small businesses operating in the city's qualified census tracts. To be eligible, businesses must be located within Greenville city limits and within a qualified census tract, be independently owned and operated with fewer than six locations, generate gross annual sales of no more than $5,000,000, and have no more than 100 employees. Applicants are typically required to attend a workshop or information session as part of the application process.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$50,000

North Carolina Department of Commerce

The Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) is a performance-based, discretionary incentive program that provides cash grants directly to a company, when the company creates jobs and invests in the state. Grants are awarded only in competitive recruitment or retention situations. JDIG grants hold companies to strict performance targets, but the grants can significantly help offset the cost of locating or expanding a facility in the state.

JDIG grant payments are determined using a formula that takes into consideration the new taxes generated by the new jobs that are created. A percentage of those newly generated funds are reimbursed to the awarded company, for the limited term of the grant and as long as the company meets its performance target.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$16,000

Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina

North Carolina’s Customized Training Program is the state’s premier workforce development initiative, helping businesses build and sustain a highly skilled, competitive workforce.

The program, now branded as NCEdge, offers businesses workforce development strategies that align with a company’s unique needs and goals. NCEdge supports new, expanding, and existing businesses, providing flexible, up-to-date training solutions valid for up to three years. The cost of the training is covered by the state of North Carolina through the North Carolina Community College System. With 58 community colleges across North Carolina, NCEdge ensures businesses in all 100 counties have access to high-quality training resources.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000

North Carolina Department of Commerce

The One North Carolina Fund (OneNC) is a discretionary cash-grant program that allows the Governor to respond quickly to competitive job-creation projects. The North Carolina Department of Commerce administers OneNC on behalf of the Governor. Awards are based on the number of jobs created, level of investment, location of the project, economic impact of the project and the importance of the project to the state and region.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$3,000,000

City of Raleigh

The Raleigh Facade Rehabilitation Grant Program provides Raleigh small business owners and commercial property owners with matching reimbursement grants of up to $10,000 to refurbish the exteriors of their existing commercial buildings. Administered by the City of Raleigh's Small Business Development division within the Office of Economic and Social Advancement, the program originated in the 1980s to support businesses and property owners in Raleigh's Downtown and older commercial districts, and has since helped more than 100 businesses upgrade their storefronts.

Grants reimburse up to 50% of qualified rehabilitation costs, with maximum awards based on location: businesses within Raleigh's Economic Development Priority Areas may receive up to $10,000, while businesses outside those areas may receive up to $5,000. Eligible improvements include the removal of false fronts, repair or replacement of windows, doors, cornices, and façade materials, exterior lighting, exterior painting (when associated with a larger rehabilitation effort), and qualifying art and mural projects including artist fees, labor, and materials. Routine maintenance, interior projects, residential properties, projects located outside Raleigh, and projects already permitted or underway are not eligible. Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis, and façade improvements must be clearly visible from public streets. Applicants must complete a pre-application to determine eligibility before being invited to submit a full application.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000

Wilkes County

The Wilkes EDC Entrepreneur Grant Program offers funds to support Existing Business Expansions and those planning to Start a Business in Wilkes County, where businesses have the potential to win up $6,000! Applicants submit a simple business plan and a financial summary that outline how the grant funds will be used to grow or launch their business. Additionally, you’ll create a 3-minute pitch video explaining your request.

Grant recipients can receive up to $6,000 through the Entrepreneur Grant Program. Funds will be available for withdrawal within one year of the award date. To access the grant, recipients must provide receipts or documentation of purchased items or services approved by the program’s judging panel. Once reviewed and approved by Wilkes EDC, the funds will be released.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$6,000

City of Raleigh

The City of Raleigh's Building Up-fit Grant encourages growth and development by assisting property owners who want to activate their vacant or underutilized commercial building space in Raleigh to create new business use or new jobs. This matching reimbursement program helps small business owners invest in property improvements, by matching up to 50 percent of the qualified construction costs. Businesses can receive up to $25k of reimbursed funding based on qualified expenses.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$25,000

City of Raleigh

The Raleigh Impact Partner Grant awards $20,000 grants to entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and small businesses in Raleigh for innovative pilot projects that promote environmental resilience and sustainable, community-based solutions. Administered by the City of Raleigh's Strategy and Innovation department, the program is designed to fuel economic opportunity through sustainable innovation and support new ideas that improve Raleigh's business ecosystem. Awardees receive grant funding along with technical support, citywide visibility, and connections to local networks that help accelerate the impact of their projects.

The grant prioritizes proposals across a range of focus areas, including climate resilience and environmental protection; repair, reuse, and zero-waste models; clean energy and sustainable infrastructure; and sustainable business practices and community well-being. Topics of particular interest include reducing urban heat islands, flood mitigation, low-emission transportation, energy savings and battery storage, e-waste reduction, the circular economy, sustainable jobs and skill-building, and the integration of sustainability into health and wellness.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$20,000

City of Raleigh

The Downtown Raleigh Storefront Upfit Grant provides new and expanding storefront businesses in Downtown Raleigh with reimbursement grants of up to $10,000 to help cover the cost of build-outs, improvements, and one-time stand-up expenses associated with starting or growing a storefront business. Administered by Raleigh Civic Ventures and currently funded by the Duke Energy Foundation, the program is designed to attract new retail, restaurant, and service businesses to downtown, support the expansion of existing retail, and direct support to strategic areas of the commercial core.

Maximum award amounts vary by location and business type: businesses opening in the program's Priority Area (including new retail, restaurant, service, experiential, and pop-up uses) are eligible for up to $10,000, while businesses in the broader grant boundary (retail uses and existing retail businesses expanding by at least 30%) are eligible for up to $5,000. Businesses with 50% or more ownership by individuals who identify as minority, women, LGBTQ+, veteran, or a person with a disability can qualify for an additional $2,500 Diverse Business Enterprise (DBE) booster within their applicable maximum. Eligible expenses include hard costs to physically upfit the space (such as construction, paint, and lighting), soft costs related to design and construction, and one-time stand-up expenses such as furniture, shelving, signage, POS systems, and décor. Recurring operating costs — rent, utilities, payroll, inventory, and cost of goods sold — are not eligible. Professional office and bar uses (defined as businesses deriving 70% or more of revenue from onsite alcohol sales) are explicitly ineligible, though breweries and distilleries with onsite production are eligible. Locally-owned and independently-operated businesses, new businesses occupying first-floor street-front space, and applications with strong matching private investment receive funding priority.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000