The Best Business Grants in Pennsylvania

PA Dept. of Agriculture

The Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program helps fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm—designed to enhance the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania's farms through business planning, efficient transitions of ownership, strategic expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and building a team of financial and technical expertise as a resource for farmers.

The grant is $15,000, covering 75% of project costs.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$15,000

PA DCED

The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the commonwealth.

Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$3,000,000

PA DCED

The Program supports the growth of very small meat and poultry processors in the Commonwealth. It does this by offering grants.

The grants cover costs associated with opening a new processing operation or the expansion of a current operation. The grants can also be used to cover the costs of getting a USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) inspection.

Grants are limited to no more than $100,000 per applicant.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$100,000

Philadelphia Department of Commerce

The Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund provides Philadelphia-based small businesses with grants of up to $50,000 to accelerate growth and expansion. Administered by the City of Philadelphia's Department of Commerce, the program combines funding with strategic guidance and is awarded based on demonstrated need, growth potential, and economic impact across the city. Eligible applicants are businesses that generated under $2 million in revenue in the prior year, are located in Philadelphia, registered and licensed with the city, and current on city taxes (or operating under an approved tax payment agreement). Applicants must demonstrate a clear expansion plan, contribution to local economic impact such as strengthening Philadelphia neighborhoods or creating jobs, and resilience and innovation despite challenges accessing traditional funding. Grant funds may be used for most capital and operating expenses, but cannot be used for routine operating costs (such as rent, payroll, past-due bills, or debt payments) or real estate acquisition.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$50,000

Philadelphia Department of Commerce

The Commercial Real Estate Acquisition Loan (CREAL) Program provides Philadelphia small business owners with a grant of up to $35,000 for closing costs alongside a mortgage loan of up to $350,000 to purchase commercial property in low- and moderate-income areas. Administered by the City of Philadelphia's Department of Commerce in partnership with the Women's Opportunities Resource Center (WORC), the program is designed to promote asset ownership and help business owners build generational wealth by transitioning from leasing to owning their commercial space. Eligible properties must be located on an approved commercial corridor, and technical assistance is provided throughout the purchase process — both before and after acquisition. The program prioritizes applicants who are unlikely to access traditional lending due to financial barriers. To qualify, applicants must be a business owner with a low-to-moderate income (or own a business located in a low-to-moderate income community), have a credit score of 550 or higher, be registered and licensed with the City of Philadelphia, and be current on city business taxes.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$35,000

Philadelphia Department of Commerce

The InStore Forgivable Loan Program provides Philadelphia retail, food, and selected personal service businesses with forgivable loans of $50,000 to $100,000 to purchase equipment and make interior improvements to their commercial space. Administered by the City of Philadelphia's Department of Commerce and expanded in 2022 with funding from the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative, the program is designed to boost economic development on historically underserved commercial corridors. No payment or interest is collected on the loan for five years, and the full loan is forgiven at the end of that period as long as the business remains open and operating at the same location, effectively functioning as a grant for qualifying businesses. To apply, businesses must be located in a low-to-moderate income community on an eligible commercial corridor, registered and licensed with the city, and current on city business taxes. A limited number of projects are approved each year, with priority given to businesses that provide affordable goods and services to the community and increase activity in commercial corridors that have historically received limited private investment.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$100,000

Philadelphia Department of Commerce

The Quality Jobs Program (QJP) provides Philadelphia businesses with grants of up to $175,000 for creating new full-time jobs that pay living wages and include health insurance and paid time off for Philadelphia residents. Administered by the City of Philadelphia's Department of Commerce, the program is designed to invest in employers expanding their workforce with family-sustaining positions. First-time applicants can receive $7,000 per new qualifying job for up to 25 jobs after meeting performance requirements, while businesses re-applying after a successful prior award can receive $5,000 per new job, up to a $125,000 cap. To qualify, jobs must be located in Philadelphia, offered to Philadelphia residents, full-time and permanent (at least 30 hours per week or 1,500 hours per year), and pay at or above the Philadelphia Minimum Wage Standard. Eligible employers must have been operating for at least one year, be current on city business taxes, and provide paid sick leave and health insurance. Home-based businesses and nonprofits are not eligible. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and participating businesses must commit to meaningful workforce growth: at least five new full-time hires for companies with more than 25 employees, or a 20% workforce increase for smaller companies.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$175,000

The Merchants Fund

The Merchants Fund Emergency Grant provides Philadelphia small businesses with up to $20,000 in grant funding to help recover from hardship caused by qualifying events such as fire, natural disaster, extreme acts of physical vandalism, utility failure, or highly disruptive public works projects. Administered by The Merchants Fund, the program prioritizes small and micro business owners that have been historically undercapitalized and cannot withstand a prolonged loss of revenue, with a preference for businesses earning less than $500,000 in annual revenue. To be eligible, businesses must be located in Philadelphia, generate annual revenue of $1.5 million or less, and demonstrate financial need for the grant. Ineligible business types include professional services such as medical, legal, insurance, graphic design, architecture, real estate, child and elder care, and nonprofit organizations. Applicants whose emergency does not clearly fall into one of the qualifying categories are encouraged to contact The Merchants Fund directly to confirm eligibility before applying.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$20,000

The Merchants Fund

The Merchants Fund Stabilization Grant provides Philadelphia small businesses with up to $10,000 in funding to help stabilize in the face of adversity, take advantage of an opportunity to grow, or increase profitability. Administered by The Merchants Fund, the program is offered twice a year, with cycles opening in the spring (March 15 – April 15) and fall (September 15 – October 15). The grant prioritizes support for business owners and communities that have experienced historical and systemic disinvestment or inequitable access to capital. To be eligible, businesses must be independently owned and operated, located in Philadelphia, generate annual revenue between $50,000 and $750,000, and demonstrate financial need for the grant. Certain business types are ineligible, including financial and lending businesses, real estate development businesses, child care centers, home health aid companies, insurance companies, and private membership-restricted clubs.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000

PA Department of Commerce & Economic Development

Provides funds to businesses through the four Ben Franklin Technology Partners for access to capital, business expertise, technology commercialization services to advance the development of new technologies and for the generation, conservation, and transportation of alternative and clean energy.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$50,000

Berks LaunchBox

The "MAGINE Your Business Grant provides early-stage entrepreneurs in Berks County, Pennsylvania with up to $2,000 to support a self-identified business need. Administered by the Berks LaunchBox, the grant is funded through the County of Berks Imagine Berks Fund and is intended for for-profit businesses with gross revenue under $200,000 that are either based in or planning to operate in Berks County. Funds can be used toward a wide range of early-stage business activities, including building a prototype or minimum viable product, completing customer discovery, marketing and promotion, setting up a website, purchasing supplies or equipment, and paying for professional services such as consultants, coaches, or workshops. Applicants must first develop and submit a Business Model Canvas for review with Berks LaunchBox staff before being invited to complete the full grant application.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

City of York

The City of York Small Business BLOOM Grant Program will award grants up to $1,500 to established small businesses operating and generating revenue in the City of York for a project that will enhance productivity & operations, expand product or service offerings, or otherwise grow to the next level.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$1,500

PA Department of Commerce & Economic Development

The Foundations in Industry Training (FIT) Grant Program is a statewide program which offers assistance to registered apprenticeship programs. The program’s goal is to increase apprenticeship availability to Pennsylvania employers to assist them with their talent recruitment and development.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$3,000

PA Office of International Business Development

The Global Access Program (GAP) is designed to enhance the capability of small to mid-sized Pennsylvania companies to increase export sales. GAP is administered by the Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development (OIBD) and provides up to $10,000 per award period to qualifying Pennsylvania companies to reimburse up to 75% of eligible expenses associated with specific export promotion activities. The program is funded in part through a federal grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000

PA Department of Enviromental Protection

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Grant - Provides reimbursement to registered sponsors of collection programs for household hazardous waste, electronics, and tires (but not tire pile cleanups). Reimbursement available for up to 50 percent of eligible costs. Eligible costs typically include collection, transportation and management of the wastes plus education programs. Eligible entities include households, political subdivisions, and small businesses.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000

PA Department of Commerce & Economic Development

The Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program (PA SITES) was established to provide grant and loan funding to eligible applicants to develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within the Commonwealth.

The Construction Grants and Loans component provides grants and loans to serve as gap financing for strategic sites that need financial assistance to help reduce development risk for businesses. The grant and loan funding is intended to help finance strategic investments that will enhance sites across the Commonwealth to effectively compete for expanding and relocating businesses. The program will help reduce development risk for businesses by timeline reduction from the development of public infrastructure or reducing unknown development costs.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$1,000,000

PA Department of Enviromental Protection

This grant program provides assistance to small businesses (100 or fewer employees) to undertake energy efficiency, pollution prevention, or natural resource protection projects designed to enhance a small business’s competitiveness while simultaneously improving the environment for Pennsylvania residents. The program offers small businesses a reimbursement grant ranging from 50% or $7,500 (whichever is less) up to 80% or $12,000 (whichever is less) for eligible project costs. Maximum grant awards vary based on the environmental impact of a project and if it is located in an environmental justice area. Reimbursement after project completion.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$12,000

City of Philadelphia

The Business Security Camera Program encourages businesses to purchase and install exterior cameras on commercial properties. The program seeks to increase safety for shoppers, residents, and employees.

Businesses citywide can receive up to 75% of the total eligible costs, as much as $3,000 for a single commercial property.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$3,000

City of Philadelphia

The FCHI program provides financial incentives to Philadelphia employers who hire local residents returning from incarceration within the last seven years.

Eligible employers who hire qualifying employees can receive a $6 per hour wage reimbursement for compensable hours worked up to 960 hours within 180 days of employment and a one-time $500 employment retention grant for each FCHI employee who completes the new hire period.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$6,250

City of Philadelphia

Receive up to $10K in reimbursements for making façade improvements to an eligible single commercial property in Philadelphia or up to $15K for improving an eligible corner property or large commercial building with multiple addresses.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$15,000

Pittsburgh Arts Council

The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator (CEA) Grant provides creative entrepreneurs in southwestern Pennsylvania with $2,000 in funding plus small business consulting services to help start or grow a for-profit creative business. Administered by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council the grant serves applicants in Allegheny, Beaver, Greene, and Washington counties who work in creative fields including marketing, architecture, visual arts and crafts, design, film and media, digital games, music and entertainment, and publishing. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old, reside in one of the four covered counties, generate less than $200,000 in gross revenue from the creative business, and not have received CEA funding in the past three years. Before applying, applicants must schedule a free consultation and business plan review with one of the program's designated Referral Coordinators, who help applicants develop the approved business plan required as part of the application. Nonprofits are not eligible.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$2,000

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates are excited to partner with PNC in support of local small businesses in the Pittsburgh region. Going to Bat for Small Business Presented by PNC represents the seventh straight season that the Pirates and PNC teamed up to pledge their support for local small businesses in order to help create a stronger Pittsburgh community. Each month, the program will highlight one of six small businesses that have helped make a positive impact on their communities. The Pirates and PNC will award the six small businesses a marketing package valued up to $100,000 and a $5,000 grant.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$5,000