Applications are currently open for the Backing Small Businesses Grant Program intended for locally significant small businesses pursuing projects that enhance long-term resilience, promote sustainable growth, and strengthen their positive impact within the community. Eligible businesses can apply for one of four hundred (400) available grants of $10,000.

Following the May 2025 round of Disaster Recovery Grants, the Backing Small Businesses grant program will launch a broader round of grants, offering 400 additional $10,000 grants to locally significant small businesses facing economic challenges to help them overcome economic hardship, grow, and drive community impact. Applications will open on Wednesday, July 16 at 9:00 a.m. CT and close on Thursday, July 31 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

Please note that project proposals for the $10,000 grant application should be feasible to achieve with only the $10,000 award and completed by the end of the calendar year. Recipients of the $10,000 grant will be required to submit a final grant report using a template provided.

Of the five hundred (500) recipients selected through our 2025 Backing Small Business grant program, including the one hundred (100) recipients of the Disaster Recovery grants, a limited subset of twenty-five (25) will be awarded $30,000 Enhancement Grants to support transformative projects that strengthen their businesses and deepen their impact within their communities. To be eligible for a $30,000 Enhancement Grant, a recipient must have received the initial $10,000 grant and successfully completed their project, and must not have previously received an Enhancement Grant from the Backing Small Businesses grant program. Enhancement Grant recipients will be considered based on Enhancement Grant project proposals, which must be submitted through the final grant report for the initial $10,000 grant.

To for more information, and to submit the eligibility form go to this site: National Main Street Center - Backing Businesses Grant Program